LUCCA EFFETTO CINEMA 2025 – CALL FOR PARTECIPATION
Deadline: SATURDAY 30 AUGUST 2025
Lucca Effetto Cinema – 12th Edition
Saturday, September 27, 2025 – Historic Center of Lucca
The Lucca Film Festival, in collaboration with the Comune di Lucca and the Camera di Commercio Toscana Nord-Ovest, is pleased to announce the 13th edition of Lucca Effetto Cinema, the event that turns Lucca’s historic center into an open-air film set.
On Saturday, September 27, 2025, the streets of the city will come alive with micro-performances, spectacular installations, and a festive atmosphere, celebrating the seventh art and actively involving audiences, performers, and local businesses.
The Best Performance Award, offered this year by the Lions Club Lucca Le Mura, will be worth 500 euros and will be awarded to one of the participating theater or dance companies.
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE
- Theatre companies, dance companies, solo performers, and amateur acting groups from across Italy.
- Bars, restaurants, shops, and hotels located in Lucca’s historic center, either collaborating with artistic groups or creating their own themed setups.
If you have a creative idea inspired by cinema, this is your chance to bring it to life!
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
Performances, lasting between 5–10 minutes, will take place at regular intervals (at least 30 minutes apart), within themed areas dedicated to cinematic genres: horror, thriller, animation, musical, comedy, drama, war, sci-fi, fantasy, and western.
Each performance and installation must be inspired by a film or a TV series (up to 3 TV series-based performances will be accepted), and the selected title must be at least 15 years old. The proposed work must align with the assigned genre area.
For theatre and dance companies / performers:
Send your application by August 30, 2025 to direzioneeventi@luccafilmfestival.it, including:
- Name of the group or performer and contact details of the main representative
- Short description of the proposed performance (max 400 characters)
- Preferred film/TV series and cinematic genre
- A short video presentation (showreel, recording, or self-tape, max 5 minutes). In case of technical issues, please contact the organizers for alternatives
- One representative photo of the company or performer
- A short biography (max 400 characters)
- The official participation form (sent by the festival team) filled and signed for registration validation
For businesses:
The city will be divided into thematic areas dedicated to film genres, but the final map will be defined only at the end of the enrollment of artistic companies. For this reason, by applying immediately you can receive timely indications on which genre or theme will be developed in your area, so that you can organize in time with decorations, settings or special initiatives.
It is not mandatory to host an artistic performance.
You can also participate only with a scenographic setting or dressing the staff theme with the gender assigned to your area.
Participating will guarantee you:
- Visibility on the festival’s official channels
- An opportunity to enhance your business in the context of a cultural event
- The chance to win prizes dedicated to the most creative public establishments
Write to direzioneeventi@luccafilmfestival.it by August 30, 2025, stating your interest.
You can collaborate with an assigned performance group or propose your own independent setup (subject to approval), decorating your venue or having staff dressed according to the chosen film or series theme. Each business must propose a different film title within the same genre area.
The festival’s artistic direction reserves the right to evaluate and approve all proposals to ensure creativity and consistency with the event’s vision.
JURY & AWARDS
Performances will be evaluated by a panel of professionals in cinema, theatre, and local institutions. Awards will be given to the most outstanding artistic groups and the most creative businesses.
Winners will be announced on Sunday, September 28, 2025, on the official Lucca Effetto Cinema social channels and the festival website.
The Best Performance Award, offered this year by the Lions Club Lucca Le Mura, will be worth 500 euros and will be awarded to one of the participating theater or dance companies.
Awards include:
- Prizes for best performances
- Prizes for businesses with the most original setups and public engagement
- Visibility across all official festival platforms
Prize details will be progressively revealed on our social media channels.
BENEFITS FOR PARTICIPANTS
For selected performance groups:
- Free ZTL (limited traffic zone) pass for one vehicle per group
- Personalized promotional postcard featuring photo, name, title, and inspiration film
- Promotion on the festival’s social channels and website
For selected businesses:
- Visibility online and in official promotional materials
- Opportunity to attract new customers through the festive atmosphere and foot traffic
- dditional benefits will be announced in the coming months
THE PUBLIC: CO-STARS OF THE EVENT
Audience members are invited to attend in costume, inspired by the films and performances in the program, to fully immerse themselves in the magic of Lucca Effetto Cinema and become part of the narrative.
Lucca Effetto Cinema promotes cinematic culture through small-scale live performances in public spaces. The festival celebrates artistic and cinematic diversity, offering a chance to explore and appreciate different genres and creative styles. The event enhances the historic center of Lucca and promotes cultural tourism, enriching the local community and its visitors with high-quality artistic experiences.
Over the years, the Lucca Film Festival has hosted great names in international cinema such as Oliver Stone, David Lynch, Paolo Sorrentino and Willem Dafoe, becoming a cultural benchmark in Tuscany.
Lucca Film Festival is organized with the support of Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Lucca, and the sponsorship of Banca Generali Private Wealth Management and Banca Pictet, Main Sponsors of the event.
Follow our official channels to stay updated on prizes, programming, and announcements.
Info: direzioneeventi@luccafilmfestival.it
