The theme chosen for the 53rd Edition of the Giffoni Film Festival, which took place from 20-29 July 2023, was entitled Indispensable. The program consisted of films submitted by 35 nations, including Italy, 50 of them in competition for this year’s award. Also included in the program were previews of 5 premieres (4 international and 1 national); 20 special events, 20 musical performances and 10 live showcases. The jury was made up of 6,500 young people from 22 nations.
At the press conference presenting the event, Giffoni founder Claudio Gubitosi said: “Today we are writing another page that highlights even more the commitment we must all make to supporting teenagers in need. I want to remind everyone of the famous human and moral testament that François Truffaut entrusted to us in 1982. His handwritten note said: ‘Of all the film festivals, Giffoni’s is the most necessary.’ The stories, the news, the mournful and dramatic events that we sometimes witness petrified and that always often involve minors, compel us more and more to provide tools for reading and sharing events that concern our contemporary generations, many of whom live only in their own small worlds, sometimes troubled and often devastating to themselves and others. Giffoni has been doing its part for over half a century to promote and develop high-quality cinema for young people centered on important issues. The light, beauty and positive energy generated by the Festival are a powerful antidote to the boredom and unnecessary violence so prevalent in society.”