by InTrieste
Italian filmmaker and screenwriter Andrea De Sica received the Cinema del Presente 2026 award on Tuesday evening at the 27th edition of the ShorTS International Film Festival, as the festival recognized his contribution to contemporary Italian cinema.
The award was presented during a public masterclass at Teatro Miela, where De Sica reflected on his career, creative process and the evolution of storytelling in film and television before an audience of festival goers and aspiring filmmakers.
The conversation, moderated by festival director and film critic Maurizio di Rienzo, ranged from De Sica’s early work to his more recent projects, offering insight into his approach to directing, writing and adapting stories for the screen.
De Sica, the grandson of legendary Italian director Vittorio De Sica, also reflected on the weight of growing up with one of cinema’s most celebrated family names. In an interview with InTrieste following the event, he said that carrying the De Sica surname was particularly challenging when he was 18.
“At 18, it was difficult to be Vittorio De Sica’s grandson,” he said. “Now, at 44, I have gained the experience and the courage to make my own films.”
Rather than trying to emulate his grandfather’s legacy, De Sica said experience has allowed him to embrace his own artistic voice and pursue projects that reflect his personal vision, a confidence he believes comes with time rather than expectation.
Receiving the Cinema del Presente award, De Sica joins a group of filmmakers recognized by the Trieste festival for shaping the landscape of contemporary cinema through distinctive artistic voices and innovative storytelling.
Now in its 27th edition, the ShorTS International Film Festival continues to bring directors, actors and emerging talents to Trieste, combining screenings, masterclasses and public discussions that explore the changing language of cinema. The festival has become one of Italy’s leading showcases for short films while also celebrating established filmmakers whose work has left a mark on contemporary filmmaking.
