Paladino D’Oro Festival 2026 Honors
Sport Heroes Who Inspire and Shape Lives
By the Mediterranean Lifesaving Confederation
PALERMO, ITALY. The countdown has begun. From December
1–7, 2026, the magnificent city of Palermo will once again become an
international meeting point for sporting excellence, cinematic creativity, and
human inspiration. The 46th Paladino d’Oro Sport Film Festival promises a
celebration of dreams, courage, perseverance, and the extraordinary power of
storytelling. The
Mediterranean Lifesaving Confederation (MLC) celebrates the 46th edition of the
world's oldest sports film festival, its extraordinary legacy and dream team.
A LEGACY BORN
FROM VISION
For nearly half a century, Paladino d’Oro has been
much more than a film festival. It has been a guardian of sporting memories, a
champion of artistic expression, and a magnificent tribute to the human spirit.
The story began in 1979, when two distinguished figures of Italian sports
journalism, Vito Maggio and Sandro Ciotti, envisioned a cultural
institution that would unite two universal languages: sport and cinema. Their
vision became the world's oldest sports film festival, establishing a tradition
that continues to inspire filmmakers, athletes, artists, and audiences across
generations. Through its prestigious Golden Paladin awards, the festival
celebrates not merely sporting victories or cinematic achievements, but the
deeper values that make them meaningful: courage in adversity, dignity in
defeat, determination against impossible odds, solidarity, inclusion, and the
pursuit of excellence. Every film carries a message. Every award honours a
journey. Every story reminds us that true greatness is measured not only by
medals and records, but by the lives we touch and the barriers we overcome.
WHERE SPORT
BECOMES ART
The 2026 edition will transform Palermo into a vibrant
celebration of international sports cinema, featuring film screenings,
exhibitions, cultural encounters, industry meetings, and discussions connecting
sport, health, society, and artistic expression. Its grand finale, scheduled
for December 7 at the magnificent Teatro Politeama Garibaldi, will bring
filmmakers, athletes, distinguished guests, and cinema enthusiasts together for
the prestigious Golden Paladin awards ceremony. Yet the festival's greatest
achievement extends far beyond the glamour of the red carpet. By embracing
stories of disability, inclusion, resilience, and social transformation,
Paladino d’Oro demonstrates that cinema can educate, inspire, challenge prejudice,
and contribute to a better world.
A MEDITERRANEAN
CELEBRATION OF SPORT, HUMANITY AND LIFESAVING
The Mediterranean Lifesaving Confederation (MLC), itself headquartered in Italy and led by its Italian President, Dott. Giorgio Quintavalle and Greek Secretary General Dr. Stathis Avramidis, takes particular pride in celebrating this remarkable cultural institution. For the Mediterranean lifesaving community, the 2026 festival carries additional significance: a film rooted in the world of lifesaving sport has been officially selected for screening at this prestigious international event. This recognition offers a valuable opportunity to introduce wider audiences to a unique sporting discipline where athletic excellence and humanitarian service meet.
Lifesaving sport is more than competition. It develops the speed, strength, endurance, courage, and rescue skills that can make the difference between life and death. No other sport can take pride that it does not only built strong characters (like all sports do), but, more importantly, it can also educate people, children and adults, on how to protect themselves and save others administering first aid on land and rescue techniques in the water. It is also a sport aspiring to join the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games, bringing its extraordinary combination of athletic achievement and life-saving purpose to the world's greatest sporting stage.
The MLC warmly congratulates and thanks the festival
for providing a platform for stories that unite sport with humanity. It
expresses its sincere appreciation for promoting lifesaving sport and wishes
the organisers every success in their forthcoming celebration. Above all, the
Confederation hopes that Paladino d’Oro will continue championing films capable
of inspiring people of all ages to embrace physical activity, overcome
adversity, pursue their dreams, and discover the transformative power of sport
throughout their lives.
THE HEROES BEHIND
THE HEROES
Behind every extraordinary festival stands another remarkable story, one rarely captured by cameras. It is the story of those who dedicate their creativity, energy, patience, and countless hours to transforming an ambitious vision into reality. At the heart of this mission stands Roberto Marco Oddo, Festival President, whose leadership continues to carry forward the founders' remarkable legacy. Alongside him, Stefania Tschantret, Artistic Director and Executive Producer, brings artistic vision, creative determination, and organisational commitment to the festival's continuing evolution.
But their achievements belong to a larger family of
dedicated professionals. Armando Insinna, responsible for commercial
affairs; Nadia La Malfa, press officer; Gérard Mazza, logistics
coordinator; Mirko Valenti, production director; Tiberio Mantia,
international public relations; Dorotea Maria Oddo, logistics; and Tiziana
Spada, production secretary, each contribute essential expertise to this
collective undertaking. Their responsibilities may differ, but their purpose is
shared. They are the people behind the schedules, communications, preparations,
production arrangements, and innumerable details that make a major
international cultural celebration possible. They may not stand on the winners'
podium. Their names may not appear in the closing credits of the competing
films. Yet without their commitment, there would be no festival stage upon
which others could shine. They are the unsung heroes of Paladino d’Oro, and deserve
our respect.
THE GOLDEN
PALADIN: A SYMBOL OF HUMAN EXCELLENCE
As December approaches, Palermo prepares to welcome another chapter of this extraordinary journey. New films will move audiences. New talents will emerge. New achievements will be recognised. And new friendships will bridge nations through the universal languages of sport and art. But beyond every statuette, spotlight, and celebration stands an enduring truth: Champions inspire us through what they achieve. Artists inspire us through what they create. The people behind Paladino d’Oro inspire us through what they make possible.
From the Mediterranean lifesaving family to the entire Paladino d’Oro family, we extend our warmest congratulations, gratitude, and best wishes for an unforgettable 46th edition. Long live Paladino d’Oro. Long live the heroes of sport, cinema, and the extraordinary team that brings their stories to life.
