What it is and why it is worth the trip
Sestri Levante has always had a cultural calling that far exceeds its size. It is not just the Bay of Silence — one of Italy's most photographed beaches — nor merely the connection with Hans Christian Andersen, who found inspiration here for some of his fairy tales. There is something about the way the peninsula juts out into the sea that invites creativity, storytelling and observation of the world. The Riviera International Film Festival was born from this calling: it could not exist anywhere else.
Founded in 2016, the RIFF has built a solid reputation in just a few years within the Italian independent film festival landscape. Its strength is focus: it does not chase blockbusters or established stars. Instead it chases the stories that matter and the directors who have yet to find their voice. The main competitive section is reserved for works by under-35 filmmakers — a clear editorial choice, consistent with the festival's identity. The second soul is environmental and climate documentaries: films that do more than look good, confronting the transformations our planet is experiencing with the depth that only documentary cinema can provide.
The 10th edition in 2026, scheduled from 5 to 10 May, carries forward this dual calling with a programme that includes screenings at the Cinema Ariston — a historic auditorium in the heart of town — and special evenings at the ex-Convent of the Annunziata, an extraordinarily evocative venue overlooking the sea. The red carpet of the opening ceremony, late-night screenings, Q&A sessions with directors and producers: the RIFF is not just a festival for cinephiles, it is an event for anyone who loves a well-told story.
The education section is an element that sets the RIFF apart from many festivals at the same level: Ligurian schools are actively involved, with morning screenings designed for classes, workshops with filmmakers and encounters between young audiences and young authors. A virtuous cycle that makes the festival part of the cultural fabric of the area, not an event imposed from outside.
For those travelling from elsewhere — and from Rapallo in particular — the RIFF is an excellent reason to be on the Riviera in early May, which is in many respects the best time of year: the sea is still cool but the air is warm, beaches are uncrowded, prices are normal and the landscapes are at their most lush and luminous before the heat of summer.
What to expect during the festival days
The RIFF has a rhythm that suits those who want to experience the festival without sacrificing the rest of the Riviera. Morning screenings are often for schools; afternoon competition sessions open to the public concentrate later in the day; evenings bring the special events — premieres, encounters with directors, ceremonies. Someone staying in Rapallo can comfortably take a morning train, follow two or three afternoon screenings and return for dinner. Or stay for a special evening and take the last regional train home. The flexibility is total.
