“Beyond the Border” The theme of the 12th International Documentary Festival Visioni dal Mondo, in Milan from September 16th to 20th, 2026
Press release
“Beyond the Border“
The theme of the 12th International Documentary Festival
Visioni dal Mondo,
in Milan from September 16th to 20th, 2026
Milan, 11 March 2026 – The International Documentary Festival Visioni dal Mondo founded and directed by Francesco Bizzarri with artistic direction by Maurizio Nichetti, returns to Milan from September 16 to 20, 2026 – an annual appointment for cinéma du réel.
For its 12th edition, the Festival chooses a compelling theme: “Beyond the Border”. It’s far more than a title: it’s a bold call to shatter cultural, social, and personal barriers; to spotlight unsung struggles and overlooked stories; to explore hidden places, hear resilient voices, and value quietly built worlds. It’s a penetrating gaze beyond surfaces that confronts our era’s contradictions and turns them into insight. It’s a defiant stand against injustice, a shared dream of a fairer, more united future.
Documentary serves as tool, guide, and map through a complex world, connecting lives and places, opening paths where walls stood.
“Beyond the Border” points the way: look farther, understand deeper, shape possibility from the present.
“In a time marked by conflicts, fractures, and deep changes, we feel the urgency to move past division – states Francesco Bizzarri, President and Director of the International Documentary Festival Visioni dal Mondo. – ‘Beyond the Border’ calls us to tear down barriers and connect through stories. Documentary goes beyond narrative: it amplifies overlooked voices, uncovers hidden truths, and enables free thinking. It’s a democratic tool that sharpens our awareness. I’m convinced real change springs from this independent insight.”
“The border is a remarkable narrative space: it means tension, transition, transformation – states Maurizio Nichetti, Artistic Director of the International Documentary Festival Visioni dal Mondo. – Documentary cinema allows us to dwell in it, cross it, challenge it—revealing worlds and stories that would remain hidden. We envision a Festival that astonishes, provokes, and stirs emotion; that sparks curiosity and critical thought. One that leads audiences past the surface of images, deep into stories, as fellow travelers on a path of discovery, empathy, and transformation. Every screening, dialogue, story offers a fresh perspective on the world, letting us reflect on our time and collectively shape tomorrow.”
Over five days, Visioni dal Mondo will turn Milan into a hub for screenings, talks, masterclasses, and debates. The program will feature the following competitive sections:
- Italian Contest: Dedicated to independent Italian productions, featuring Feature Films (over 50 minutes) and the New Talent Short Docs section (under 30 minutes).
- International Contest: Open to foreign documentaries with a duration of over 65 minutes.
- Visioni VR Contest: In collaboration with the Leonardo da Vinci National Museum of Science and Technology, dedicated to virtual reality works exploring new narrative and technological frontiers.
- Visioni Incontra – Industry Section: Curated by Cinzia Masòtina, Head of Industry, open to Italian and international documentary projects seeking funding. Categories include Final Development (pre-production or early-stage production) and Work in Progress (projects in production or post-production).
Call for Entries is now open, and deadline for applying is May 31st, 2026. Regulations and submission guidelines are available in the dedicated section of the official website: www.visionidalmondo.it.
Selected works will be judged by Italian and international experts and screened in original language with subtitles, in world or international premieres. Screenings will light up Teatro Litta and the Leonardo da Vinci National Museum of Science and Technology (for VR experiences), consolidating the International Documentary Festival Visioni dal Mondo as Milan’s premier hub for documentary cinema.
12th International Documentary Festival Visioni dal Mondo
In Milan from 16th to 20th September 2026 www.visionidalmondo.it