34th edition

African
Asian
Latin American
Film Festival

From March 21 to 30, 2025, in Milan and on MYmovies.it

The 34th edition of the African, Asian, and Latin American Film Festival – FESCAAAL
returns to its traditional festival dates, taking place from March 21 to 30 in theaters in Milan and streaming across Italy on MYmovies.it.

“The image of this 34th edition,” say artistic directors Annamaria Gallone and Alessandra Speciale, features our zebra immersed in a movement of concentric circles and squares—a symbol that evokes the drive for growth and the future, immediately catching the viewer’s eye.

It is a tribute to the new generations, to the young filmmakers and guests of our program. The zebra becomes an emblem of dynamism, energy, and the ability to transform the present, bringing positive change.

At the same time, the coordinates of the circles and squares express the desire to introduce harmony into a world that appears increasingly chaotic.”

Youth in motion

This edition will be dedicated to the idea of youth in motion, with its innovations and endless possibilities, as reflected in the festival’s selection. Once again, FESCAAAL will bring to Milan some of the finest cinematic productions from African, Asian, and Latin American cinema. The film program will officially kick off on Friday, March 21, with the Opening Ceremony hosted at the prestigious Fondazione Prada.

Ten days of screenings, meetings with filmmakers, and special events on cinema and cultures from the three continents will take place at Cinema Godard at Fondazione Prada, Cineteca Milano Arlecchino, and Auditorium San Fedele. The main sections include::

“Windows on the World” Feature Film Competition – a carefully curated selection of the latest fiction and documentary productions from the three continents.

African Short Film Competition – showcasing the best short films (fiction and documentaries) by filmmakers from across Africa and the diaspora. This section aims to promote emerging directors at the beginning of their careers and highlight new trends and experiments in African cinema.

Extr’A Competition – dedicated to films by Italian directors engaging with other cultures, portraying an Italy that interprets cultural diversity. This section includes works filmed in the three continents or addressing themes related to multicultural Italy.

Flash Section – featuring the festival’s event films: high-profile premieres presenting recent works by renowned directors, critically acclaimed films, or award-winners from major international festivals—the best of contemporary cinema that narrates and interprets current events in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

And Everybody Laughs… – a section dedicated to the most entertaining comedies from the three continents.

Special event

Among the extra-cinematic events, Africa Talks returns for the eighth consecutive year, an event organized by the COE Association as part of FESCAAAL in collaboration with Fondazione Edu. The format includes a roundtable discussion followed by a themed film, offering insights into the most contemporary and promising aspects of a transforming continent.


The focus of this 8th edition will be youth activism in Africa: from ecology to militant art scenes, from political critique to digital-born movements, the engagement of new generations unfolds in street protests as well as in individual and social activism, where young people dedicate themselves to projects for their local communities while keeping an eye on the broader continental and global landscape.


«As we know, Africa is a very young continent, with more than 70% of the population under the age of 30,» says Matteo Stefanelli, President of Fondazione Edu. «The new generations bring a desire for change and a concrete commitment that we wanted to highlight in this new edition of Africa Talks—an initiative that once again looks at a transforming continent and aims to give voice to its most compelling figures.»

MiWY

MiWorld Young Film Festival

From March 24 to 31, as always within the framework of FESCAAAL, the 6th edition of the MiWorld Young Film Festival – MiWY will take place. It is the first and only film festival for schools in Italy entirely dedicated to showcasing the cinemas and cultures of Africa, Asia, and Latin America and promoting intercultural exchange. The event will be held in a hybrid format, both in theaters and online.


MiWY continues to bring stories and perspectives from the three continents, offering fresh and unique viewpoints. It adopts an approach that enhances film language education and the experience of collective viewing and post-screening discussions, both in person and remotely. A window onto the world, it presents a multifaceted and diverse panorama, challenging stereotypes and fostering new interpretations and awareness—both personal and societal. The festival aligns with curricular and cross-disciplinary programs, particularly civic education. Class registrations are now open. For more information: coescuola@coeweb.org.