WHAT IS KINO GUARIMBA?

Kino Guarimba is an international film training programme, run as a twelve-day artist residency in Calabria, the wild region of Italy.

The project aims to create a multicultural community, made up of participants, the team and the people who live in Amantea, exploring the local culture together and promoting its traditions and its natural and architectural beauty.
The 12 days of the residency are divided into 3 parts:

  • 1st Input & Networking: Recreational and educational activities, workshops on different aspects of film production focused on socializing and training, where participants can get to know each other, pitch their ideas and form working groups.
  • 2nd Shooting: Dedicated to making the short films, the working teams organize themselves freely to decide the structure and timing of production, within the rules of the residency.
  • 3rd Screening: On the last evening we hold a public screening of all the short films made during the residency, inviting both participants and local people.
WHEN

The 15th edition will take place in Amantea (CS) from 10 to 21 June 2027. The 16th edition will take place in Amantea (CS) from 10 to 21 September 2027.

THE PROCESS

Pedagogy

Kino Guarimba’s educational approach is based on the non-formal education theories of Cooperative Learning and Montessori Education, grounded in sharing, independence and the search for creative solutions to problems. Our team’s role is limited to coordination and logistics — we do not take over the production or organization of the shoots, so as to empower participants and make them more independent.

Production

You will work in complete autonomy and creative freedom, following Montessori principles of empowerment through clear rules, freedom to choose, freedom to make mistakes, and the freedom to develop your own path naturally and spontaneously. Participants work in teams in a safe environment, where they can challenge themselves and collaborate with others in full trust. The residency’s tutors will guide participants along this path, without interfering with their personal process of learning and making mistakes.

The Kino Method

Our residency is based on the Kino method, which promotes the non-competitive development of different projects, with the various teams collaborating to reach common goals. This method invests more in the process than in the results, moving away from the anxiety of delivering a finished product and helping people understand the importance of teamwork and learning.

WHO IT’S FOR

Participation is open to all Italian and foreign citizens who are over 18 years old at the time of application.

We’re looking for directors, camera operators, technicians and actors willing to learn and engage with others, who want to collaborate even when communication is more difficult. We’re not just looking for experienced professionals, but also students and people approaching the world of film with enthusiasm and a willingness to help.

THE NEXT EDITION

The idea is to overcome, together, the economic barriers faced by artists from countries with fewer funding opportunities, or with fewer chances to network and grow.

WHAT WE OFFER
Participation in the residency includes:

  • 12 nights of accommodation in an apartment in Amantea (except for option C, which does not include accommodation)
  • A welcome kit including a tote bag and some gifts
  • A welcome dinner
  • A speed dating event + breakfast
  • 1 social lunch
  • Guided tour of Amantea’s historic centre
  • Networking events with the other 49 participants from all over the world
  • Tutor support for shooting, sound and editing, throughout the residency.
  • Use of our technical equipment for sound recording and lighting, and computers for editing
  • A Masterclass on film production, use of equipment and lighting
  • A Masterclass on live sound recording and sound production
  • A Masterclass on editing
  • A Masterclass on film distribution
  • Mentoring for distributing the short films made
  • An unforgettable experience

HOW TO APPLY

The selection process works like this:

  • Form. Fill in the form before 20 February 2027. We’ll read your application and get in touch by email once the call closes. Results will be announced before 5 March 2027.
  • Interview. We’ll meet for an informal 15-minute video call on Zoom.
  • Selection. If you’re selected, we’ll contact you again by email with all the details for the next steps.
  • Confirmation. Confirmation happens with payment of the participation fee, which must be made within 30 days of receiving the selection email.

The selection process takes place between January and April. Don’t wait until the last day to apply, as spots may fill up earlier.
There is a limit of 50 spots per edition, and participants will be selected based on their profile, enthusiasm and eagerness to create.

HOW MUCH IT COSTS

  • A) Participation badge + shared room accommodation (max 3 people): €479
  • B) Participation badge + private room in a shared apartment: €711
  • C) Participation badge + private room in a B&B (12 nights): €1150

Important information

  • The participation fee must be paid after being selected, not before.
  • The project does not cover travel expenses.
  • The apartments have a kitchen and bathroom.
  • The apartments do not have air conditioning or WIFI.
  • If you’d rather not share a room, we recommend booking a private room.

Kino Guarimba films selected by international festivals

  • “Amantea”, directed by Dutch filmmaker Laura Hermanides during Kino Guarimba 2018, won Best Dutch Film at the Da Bounce Urban Film Festival 2019 and Best Short Film at the Elba Film Festival 2020.
  • “La Torta”, directed by Australian filmmakers Gabrielle Gregoire and Olivia Lawson during Kino Guarimba 2019, was a finalist at the Roma Short Film Festival 2021 and the Paris International Short Film Festival 2021. It also won Best Editing at the FlickerFest International Short Film Festival 2021 and Best Experimental Short Film at the Berlin Short Awards 2021.
  • The documentary “Long Live The Panda”, directed by Dutch filmmakers Bo van der Meer and Roswitha de Boer during Kino Guarimba 2020, won Best Documentary at Shortcutz Amsterdam 2022 and Best Italian Film at the Reale Film Festival 2021.

Here you can find a selection of films made during different editions of Kino Guarimba.

REFUND POLICY

If a participant withdraws after having paid the participation fee, the organisation can provide a refund of 50% of the amount paid only if the withdrawal is communicated at least 45 days before the start of the residency and is due to a valid reason.

If the organisation agrees to defer a participant’s participation to a future edition, the amount already paid will be transferred to the new edition. By accepting the deferral, the participant acknowledges that the payment becomes non-refundable. Any subsequent withdrawal after a deferral will not be eligible for a refund.

INSURANCE

The organisation accepts no responsibility for any injury, damage, loss, or theft affecting participants or their personal belongings before, during, or after Kino Guarimba, regardless of the circumstances, including when participants have followed the organisation’s instructions and guidelines.

Participants are responsible for their own personal belongings and are advised to arrange appropriate personal and travel insurance for the duration of their stay.

CREDITS

All films must include the following text for 5 seconds, either at the beginning or at the end:

Conceived, shot, and edited during
Kino Guarimba 2027

Each film must also include the organisation’s logo and the logos of all partners and sponsors.

All required files will be provided by the organisation at the beginning of Kino Guarimba.

LEGAL ASPECTS

  • Filmmakers must ensure that they have obtained all necessary rights and permissions for the music, script, and use of the actors’ images in the short film.*

*This is a very simple rule to follow. We particularly recommend using copyright-free, royalty-free, or properly licensed music. If you later wish to submit your film to festivals, it is important to make sure that all copyright, licensing, and other necessary permissions have been properly cleared.

  • By participating, the filmmaker assumes full responsibility for the final work.
  • Participants grant the organisers the right to use the works exclusively for cultural purposes and only in ways that do not interfere with or negatively affect the short film’s festival career.

RULES OF THE GAME

  • All participants must go through a selection process that includes filling in a form and an interview with our team.
  • Selected creatives must arrive in Amantea on day 10 between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM.
  • Participants will be hosted by the organization in single or shared rooms for 12 nights, from the 10th to the 21st (inclusive). Rooms must be vacated on day 22 by 9:30 AM.
  • Participants commit to staying in Amantea for the entire duration of the residency. It is not possible to arrive later or leave earlier than the indicated days.
  • Short films must include at least one scene shot outdoors in Amantea.
  • Filming outside the town of Amantea is not permitted.
  • The maximum length of the short film is 7 minutes.
  • The final work must be delivered in person on day 21, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, following the technical instructions provided.
  • Office hours are sacred. Our team has the right to rest.
  • We’ll use a WhatsApp group during the residency to communicate with participants. Joining this group is mandatory.
  • La Guarimba is a community of adults, not a summer camp. If you have an issue with someone, talk to them. If you still can’t resolve it, come to us.
  • Don’t promise anything to anyone before arriving in Amantea. Even if the script and the person seem great, wait to meet everyone and let yourself be inspired by Calabria.
  • Don’t monopolize people or technical equipment. We’re here to help and will do our best to support you, but we’re not your production assistants. Remember: local people want to take part too. Invest more time in building connections than in making requests.
  • Any form of insult, offensive language, or lack of respect towards the organization, its members, or its mission will not be tolerated. Violating this rule may result in immediate exclusion from current and future activities.
  • Adapt and learn. This is a growth experience. Amantea has a lot to offer your personal journey. Don’t focus on what you don’t like about the local people — try instead to understand what you can learn from their culture and way of life.

INFORMATION

For further information, please contact the organizers by email: info@cinemambulante.com

PERSONAL DATA PROCESSING

Pursuant to Italian Legislative Decree 196/2003, the data requested in the application form will be used exclusively for the purposes set out in this call, and will be processed with or without the aid of IT tools, in full compliance with the above regulations and confidentiality obligations.

During the residency, a photographer and a videomaker from our team will take photos and videos of the activities. By taking part in Kino Guarimba, participants consent to being photographed and/or filmed, and to the reproduction and publication, by any technical means, of their images for journalistic and institutional-promotional purposes related to the event’s activities.

Individual portraits will also be taken. If you do not wish to be filmed, we recommend not taking part in the residency.

F.A.Q.

How many participants will there be?

The residency accepts a maximum of 50 participants per edition. You can tell your friends and colleagues about the project and invite them to apply. Keep in mind that Amantea locals can also be part of your projects.

What kind of equipment will we be given?

We have lights, reflectors, sound kits, tripods and computers for editing. Participants need to bring the rest. Remember that this experience values ideas and process more than equipment.
We are not a production studio, and we believe in the philosophy of “doing a lot with little”.

I'd like to make a film, but I don't have my own camera — can I still take part?

Ideally, anyone who wants to shoot their own film should bring their own camera, but you can also find a cinematographer to help with your project and shoot it with theirs. In the past, some great films have been made with mobile phones.

Will you decide the crews?

No. We’ll act as a facilitator and help you form crews based on experience, needs and equipment, but you will decide who you want to work with. We’ll organize a ‘speed dating’ session, a casting call and a pitching session so everyone can introduce themselves and find the perfect team.

How many projects will be made?

It depends on the participants — each edition has different numbers. If you’re curious to know the details, you can read the reports from previous editions on our website.

Can I bring a friend/partner/colleague with me?

Anyone who wants to take part in the project must go through the selection process. You won’t be able to host outside guests in the apartment. If you know other interested people, share this page with them.

Can I apply together with my partner?

The whole selection process, including the interview, is carried out individually. It’s possible we may select only you, and not your partner.

Can I choose who I share accommodation with?

No. Room assignments are managed by the organization and communicated on arrival.
Part of the residency experience is meeting and living with people you wouldn’t normally meet, in a safe and carefully supervised environment.

Do I need to arrive with a finished script?

That’s up to you. Some people prefer to arrive with a draft, some with a finished script, and others prefer to be inspired by Amantea and its wonders. For us, either approach works — what we do recommend is coming with an open mind, keeping in mind that everything can change.

How many projects can I take part in?

There’s no limit on this. You can shoot your own project and then help other directors make theirs. If you like, you can even shoot more than one film. Just remember you’ll only have 12 days, so managing your time well is important.

Does my film need to be a specific genre?

No. All formats and genres are welcome. The only limit is the maximum length of 7 minutes, so that everyone has the chance to screen their film for an audience during the final screening.

Can our films take part in La Guarimba?

As you probably already know, in August we also organize La Guarimba International Film Festival. This is a separate project from the residency. In some years we’ve screened an out-of-competition selection of shorts made during Kino. But as a rule, films produced at Kino cannot take part in the festival’s official competition.

How much will I spend on food?

If you enjoy cooking, €50-70 of groceries will get you through the whole residency. If you prefer eating out, budget at least €25 a day to be safe (though it depends on what you eat). Breakfast (a croissant and cappuccino) costs around €2.5, a meal €15-20, and a pizza around €7.

I'd like to arrive in Amantea a few days early — can you host me?

If you’d like to arrive in Amantea (or Calabria) early, that’s no problem, but the apartments will only be available on the indicated days.

You can find accommodation independently — here are a few suggestions:

  • B&B La Spagnola
  • B&B U Casinu Da Scala (if you’re coming by car)

Alternatively, you can look on Airbnb or Booking.

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