Fandango Live: Cinema and Culture Festival in Lecce

Lecce is set to host the inaugural edition of Fandango Live from June 11 to June 14. Organized by Fandango Factory and supported by Fondazione CDP and Fondazione Con il Sud, the initiative aims to build community and revitalize energy through a curated blend of cinema, literature, and storytelling.

A Multidisciplinary Hub for Arts and Education

The four-day event is designed to engage youth and the general public through a diverse programme of cinema, publishing, and professional training. The initiative is realized in collaboration with the Apulia Film Commission and the Puglia Region, utilizing resources from the POC Puglia 2021/2027.

The programming features an extensive list of cultural figures, including Nanni Moretti, Alessandro Baricco, and Luca Barbarossa. These guests will participate in a series of meetings, readings, and performances across various venues such as the Chiostro dei Teatini and the Cinelab Giuseppe Bertolucci.

Did You Know? The event features a special screening of “Mine Vaganti,” a film that began in Lecce and has since become one of Fandango’s most beloved and successful productions over fifteen years after its release.

Cinema, Literature, and Social Dialogue

The schedule balances artistic celebration with critical discourse. Highlights include a dialogue on artificial intelligence and social networks featuring Alessandro Baricco and Riccardo Luna, as well as a reflection on memory and rights regarding the film “Diaz – Don’t clean up this blood.”

Indie Cinema Showcase – Yoo Lee – Florida Film Festival 2026

Cinema remains a central pillar, with the Italian premiere of Kirk Jones’ “I Swear” closing the event on June 14. The “Fandango Cult” cineclub will showcase films set in Puglia, such as “Il passato è una terra straniera” and “La Terra.”

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that by integrating high-profile entertainment with workshops on sustainability and investigative journalism, Fandango Live transforms a traditional festival into a tool for civic education. The strategic inclusion of climate-focused press reviews suggests a move toward utilizing cultural prestige to amplify urgent ecological narratives.

Focus on Sustainability and Future Impact

Fandango Live explicitly addresses the climate crisis and ecological transition. From June 12 to 14, daily press reviews on the environment will be broadcast from the Liberrima bookstore, complemented by a special episode of the “Scanner” podcast focusing on fossil fuel conflicts.

Looking ahead, the event’s momentum may lead to wider distribution of featured works, such as “I Swear,” which is scheduled for release via Fandango Distribuzione in December. The success of this first edition could potentially establish a recurring model for integrating professional audiovisual training with public cultural festivals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is organizing Fandango Live?
The event is organized by Fandango Factory and supported by Fondazione CDP and Fondazione Con il Sud, in collaboration with the Apulia Film Commission and the Puglia Region.

What educational opportunities are available during the event?
Public workshops (via registration) are held at the Convitto Palmieri, covering audiovisual training in cinema, publishing, podcasts, comics, casting, and sustainability.

Which films are part of the “Fandango Cult” cineclub?
The selection includes “Il passato è una terra straniera” (2008), “Il Paese delle spose infelici” (2011), and “La Terra” (2006), all of which are set in Puglia.

Do you believe that combining entertainment festivals with environmental activism is the most effective way to engage younger generations in sustainability?