Today we’d like to introduce you to Morgana Film Festival.
Hi Morgana , can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Morgana Film Festival was born from an idea envisioned in 2021 by Federica Alice Carlino, an award winning director, casting director and author from Milan, Italy, now based in Los Angeles. Morgana Film Festival was created to be a space where filmmakers could be seen, heard and celebrated. It was also born from the need to help filmmakers recover and reconnect after the COVID-19 pandemic, which deeply affected the independent film community. The website came together easily, and the jury was assembled in no time, composed of professionals from across the film industry.
Officially launched in 2022, Morgana began as an online platform dedicated to giving visibility to creative voices struggling to find recognition in the film industry. From those early beginnings, the festival quickly grew into an IMDb certified international event that champions meaningful stories and showcases both emerging and established talent from around the world.
Today, Morgana Film Festival continues to stay true to its mission to support independent filmmakers, promote artistic collaboration and celebrate the power of storytelling. Through interviews, reviews, curated exposure opportunities and awards shipped worldwide, Morgana connects filmmakers across cultures and helps their work reach global audiences, keeping creativity, community and visibility at its heart.
Visit our website: www.morganafilmfestival.com
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Starting an online festival from the ground up was challenging, especially in the first year when many filmmakers were hesitant to submit to a new event. We will always be grateful to those who trusted us from the very beginning. Some of them still submit their work every season, and it is truly rewarding to see familiar names return.
The name Morgana came from the medieval figure Morgana le Fay, who represents creativity, transformation, and mystery. We felt she embodied the same spirit as independent filmmakers, who bring imagination and resilience to life through their stories. Even the logo was designed to reflect that essence, something elegant yet powerful, timeless yet cinematic.
As we said, Morgana Film Festival was created and funded by Federica Alice Carlino, adding later her best friend Francesca Cavallo, also Italian, living in Milan, a photographer and graphic designer with a background in film studies. Both being filmmakers themselves, they knew exactly what artists needed from a festival, real visibility, genuine support, and honest communication. They have been friends for almost 20 years now. The jury changes each season and it’s very refreshing.
We believe that a film festival created by filmmakers is the best kind of festival you can have, because we understand what filmmakers look for and what truly matters to them. That vision continues to guide Morgana today, shaping it into a creative community built on trust, passion, and love for cinema.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Morgana Film Festival ?
Morgana Film Festival is a space created by filmmakers for filmmakers. Born from the shared experiences of artists who understand the challenges and triumphs of independent filmmaking, Morgana was founded on the belief that genuine artistry and connection matter more than numbers or trends.
What sets us apart is our perspective. Because we come from filmmaking ourselves, we understand what creators truly value: authentic feedback, meaningful visibility, and a supportive community that celebrates honest storytelling. Our festival is not only about screening films but also about building relationships, fostering growth, and uplifting voices from around the world.
Each season, we are proud to see a growing sense of community among our participants. Familiar names return, new voices emerge, and together they form a global network of artists who champion creativity and collaboration.
At its core, Morgana stands for authenticity, creativity, and inclusion. We want filmmakers and audiences to know that Morgana is more than an event. It is a home where artists can feel seen, appreciated, and inspired to keep creating.
Looking ahead, our goal is to grow into an annual in-person event in Los Angeles while continuing to nurture the same spirit of connection that has defined us from the start.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
What has worked best for us is consistency and belief in what we started. It takes time to build trust, an audience, and a community that truly connects with your vision. There are moments when things move slowly or feel uncertain, but staying focused on your purpose makes all the difference.
Through Morgana Film Festival, we have met many incredible people who later became collaborators and friends. That has been one of the most beautiful parts of this journey, seeing how a simple idea can grow into a network of creative minds supporting one another. Every season brings new connections, and some of them have turned into real working relationships that continue beyond the festival.
We have learned that success in this industry comes from patience, dedication, and authenticity. When you stay true to what you believe in, people notice. If your work comes from a genuine place, others will naturally want to be part of it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.morganafilmfestival.com and https://filmfreeway.com/MorganaFilmfestival
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morganafilmfestival/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089641770628
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/morgana-film-festival/
- Other: https://linktr.ee/morganafilmfestival
Image Credits
no credits
