Javier Arias-Stella’s AMÉRICA and Francesco Mastroleo’s FELICIDAD win at Garda Cinema Film Festival

The sixth edition of the **Garda Cinema Film Festival** concluded in Garda with strong audience turnout, centered on the theme **“Cercando la felicità”**. The main awards in the **International Short Film Competition** went to **“América”** by **Javier Arias-Stella** and **“Felicidad”** by **Francesco Mastroleo**.

The festival also featured the **Garda Cinema Nights**, with guests including **Isabella Ferrari** (opening), **Giorgio Pasotti**, **Giorgio Colangeli**, **Milvia Marigliano** and **Giovanni Esposito**, plus two complete sell-outs for evenings starring **Massimiliano Gallo** and the closing event with **Francesco Mandelli** and **Andrea Pisani**. The competition selected **33 works** from around the world, split between fiction and documentaries, while special events included a masterclass by **Oscar-candidate Lee Knight** and a special screening of **“Residence Hammamet – Il Maktoub secondo mia madre”** by **Salvatore Allocca**.

Student jury awards were given by the **Marie Curie Institute** in Garda-Bussolengo, with **“A Friend of Dorothy”** by **Lee Knight** winning the **Young Jury Prize**. The festival’s other recognitions included **Special Mentions** for **Valentina Carnelutti** (“Torta di rose”), **“Sunday”** by **Giulio Tonincelli**, the **Dimitri Martinelli for Culture** (ex aequo) for **“In Gaza Pietas”** and **“A Friend of Dorothy”**, and the **Olmec for Sustainability** prize for **“Arca”** by **Lorenzo Quagliozzi**.
Italian Version