The ninth edition of Mònde – Festa del Cinema sui Cammini (Cinema on the Pilgrim Paths Festival) has drawn to a close, with an estimated 10,000 attendees across four days of screenings, performances and cultural events held in Foggia, southern Italy, from 28 to 31 May 2026.

One of Puglia's most distinctive cultural fixtures, Mònde once again affirmed its standing as an internationally minded platform where cinema, archaeology, music, visual art and collective memory converge. Over the course of the festival, approximately 88 events — including film screenings, masterclasses, concerts, urban walks, panel discussions and networking sessions — drew audiences and industry professionals from across Italy and abroad.

Extending the Festival: Photography Exhibition at Palazzo Dogana

Visitors wishing to extend their engagement with this year's programme are invited to Palazzo Dogana, the historic seat of the Province of Foggia, where the photography exhibition "Racconti in cammino tra fede e tradizione" (Stories on the Path: Faith and Tradition), produced by the FotoCineClub Foggia, remains open until 5 June 2026. Further information is available at provincia.foggia.it.

International and Italian Guests

This year's edition attracted figures of considerable international standing. British-American director Terry Gilliam, American actors Kevin Spacey and Matthew Modine were among the headline guests, with their participation facilitated by Silvia Bizio, coordinator of the festival's newly established international section. Italian cinema was represented by acclaimed actress and first-time director Margherita Buy, alongside Maurizio Nichetti and Lino Musella.

Awards

The festival's jury and organisers conferred a series of awards across its various competitive and honorary strands:

Terry Gilliam received the Mònde Career Achievement Award 2026, in recognition of a body of work defined by visionary imagination and an unflinching defence of individual freedom against institutional power.

Kevin Spacey was presented with the Honorary Mònde Award 2026, honouring his extraordinary range and precision as a screen and stage performer.

Matthew Modine received the Premio L'Imprevisto – Mònde 2026, acknowledging both his artistic sensitivity and his genuine, open engagement with the festival's audiences and the city of Foggia throughout his visit.

Margherita Buy was awarded the Premio Speciale Maria Marcone for Volare, her debut as a film director.

Maurizio Nichetti received the Premio Fondazione dei Monti Uniti di Foggia, for his enduring contribution to Italian cinema's exploration of travel as metaphor and narrative device.

Lino Musella was honoured with the Mònde 2026 Artistic Contribution Award, in recognition of his powerful, civically engaged screen presence.

Among the film awards: the Mònde 2026 Prize in the Panorama Cammini strand went to Sea Sisters by Brunella Filì; the Premio Marina Mazzei – Panorama Archeologia to Tumuli di Ankara by Kadir Uluç; the Premio Archivio MAD in the Panorama Memoria strand to Joe's Back by Claudia Cassandro; the Premio Archivio MAD Shorts to Ker by Sajad Soleymani; the Premio Mònde Kids to Il bisticcio del riccio meticcio by Céline Lancini; and the Premio Speciale Mònde Kids & Generation to Pixie. The New Beginning by Krzysztof Komander.

The Premio Mònde – NFMLA, awarded in partnership with NewFilmmakers Los Angeles, went to Le cose che rimangono by Lorenzo Lo Muzio, a young Puglian filmmaker. A special recognition was also presented to Larry Laboe, Artistic Director of NewFilmmakers Los Angeles, for his commitment to fostering international cinematic exchange.