Itineranze Doc is a free training programme designed to provide creative and production support to young filmmakers working in the documentary genre as they develop their first (or second) feature film.

The initiative was launched in 2022, based on an idea by Luciano Barisone, a critic and programmer, who has brought together six of Italy’s leading documentary film festivals to support young talents through the various stages leading up to the realisation of their work. A six-stage journey, to be experienced at the heart of each festival, in close contact with professionals and industry experts, and under the guidance of exceptional tutors. 

The project is promoted by Bellaria Film Festival, PerSo – Perugia Social Film Festival, FrontDoc – International Frontier Film Festival, Festival dei Popoli, Pordenone Docs Fest – Le voci del documentario, and is realised with the support of MiC and SIAE, as part of the “Per Chi Crea” programme and the Fondazione di Sardegna.

Since its inception, Itineranze Doc has supported 24 projects, helping to foster new works, creative partnerships and artistic communities. Among the tutors and mentors from previous editions are prominent figures such as Marco Alessi, Paolo Benzi, Carlo Chatrian, Pierre-Alexis Chevit, Giulia Campagna, Giovanni Cioni, Beppe Leonetti, Laura Marzi, Sirkka Möller, Francesco Giai Via, Zeynep Guzel, Aline Hervé and Brigid O’Shea.

With the 2026 edition, the Itineranze Doc network expands further, continuing to support new voices ready to portray reality with passion, urgency and an authorial perspective.

A SIX-STAGE WORKSHOP, RUNNING FROM MAY TO NOVEMBER 2026

Itineranze Doc is not just a training course, but a shared journey in which projects evolve and grow. Following the launch at the Bellaria Film Festival, where participants will work from 7 to 10 May on the identity of the cinematic concept, the journey will continue to Iglesias for a residential screenwriting workshop from 21 to 24 May, in collaboration with APA Vd'A and CIC Arci Iglesias, and with the support of the Fondazione di Sardegna and the CSC of the Società Umanitaria di Carbonia Iglesias. In July, in Palermo, at the Sole Luna Doc Film Festival, the focus will be on directorial and stylistic choices, whilst in September the theme of the teaser will be addressed during a residential workshop in Pordenone in collaboration with Pordenone Docs. November will be the final month: first at Frontdoc in Aosta, then at the Festival dei Popoli, where the projects will be presented in a final pitch to industry professionals.

THE WORKSHOP PROGRAMME

Bellaria Igea Marina (RN) | 7–10 May 2026

BELLARIA FILM FESTIVAL

The cinematic idea: how to bring it into focus and explore its possibilities

Iglesias (CI) | 21–24 May 2026

Residential workshop in collaboration with APA Vd'A, CIC Arci Iglesias and with the support of the Fondazione di Sardegna and the CSC of the Società Umanitaria di Carbonia Iglesias

Screenwriting: from idea to screenplay 

Palermo | 8–11 July 2026 

SOLE LUNA DOC FILM FESTIVAL 

Visual and filmmaking choices

Pordenone | TBC September 2026

Residential workshop in collaboration with PORDENONE DOCS FEST

Editing the teaser

Aosta | 19–25 October 2026

FRONTDOC – International Frontier Film Festival

Preparing for the pitch

Florence | 5–7 November 2026

FESTIVAL DEI POPOLI – International Documentary Film Festival

The final pitch (in the presence of international producers and distributors).