“The grey sky accompanies this sweet melancholy,” Claudio Gubitosi reflected poetically, describing one of the most surreal days in his career. The founder of the Giffoni Film Festival—hailed by François Truffaut as “the most necessary of all film festivals”—passed the baton after a landmark 55-year tenure. The final edition under his direction set unprecedented records: 320 guests over ten days, including headliners Toni Servillo, Paolo Sorrentino, and Tim Burton; 7 million Facebook views; 16 million Instagram views; 1.816 million impressions from its Italian site and 255,000 from the English site; 200 features on national and local networks; 533 articles in national and regional press; and 3,833 media mentions across agencies and websites.
“This morning,” Gubitosi shared, “a juror from the Elements +10 section told me, ‘Director, don’t leave us.’ The time is right for me to step down, but I’m at peace—and you should be too. My team has grown immensely over the years and possesses the vision and capability to advance this extraordinary Italian institution I created. I won’t abandon anyone; today, I feel light.”
His departure follows an exceptional turnout: “Preliminary estimates show at least 30,000 daily attendees. This collective joy fills me with pride and conviction that the world can—and must—change. Giffoni is a place of listening, and everyone who experienced this year’s theme, *Becoming Human*, carried its message forward. We reached over 900 million people globally.”
Leadership now transitions to his son Jacopo Gubitosi as General Director and Luca Apolito as Artistic Director. “I’m confident they will expertly manage this vast network of year-round activities,” Claudio affirmed.
By November, Giffoni will become a Foundation. “I leave you with this,” he concluded: “sacrifice, love, vigilance, openness to all—and poetry. Without poetry, we go nowhere, and we cannot safeguard this magnificent anomaly’s uniqueness.”
Jacopo Gubitosi acknowledged the emotional weight: “We knew this day would come, yet one is never truly ready. Our morning was spent embracing jurors and sharing smiles—that has always been our signature. This year demanded extraordinary effort from everyone to deliver the exceptional program our youth deserved. We threw our hearts over the hurdle and conquered immense challenges.”
Apolito emphasized the festival’s profound impact: “For 55 years, generations have connected here through constant evolution. We are perpetually *becoming human*—this year’s theme—and reject criticisms of younger generations. They are catalysts for change that guides us all and shapes our world’s future.”
Pietro Rinaldi, President of Giffoni Experience, moved by the transition, stated: “From juror to president—that alone reveals my bond with Giffoni. It is home to thousands of youth and a team of exceptional professionals. Giffoni is identity. It is culture. Above all, it is an idea that will never die.”
Copyright ANSA