As autumn colors touch the historic streets of Forlì, art lovers from around the world come together for Moltitudine – Ibrida Festival 2025, a vibrant celebration of intermedia arts, experimental video, and boundary-breaking performances. Set for September 25 to 28, 2025, in the charming city of Forlì, Italy, this tenth edition invites fans of video art, live music, installations, and interactive experiences to explore the power of many voices blending into one. Held in a mix of old factories and modern galleries, Ibrida offers a fresh take on creativity that feels both cutting-edge and deeply connected to community.
A Celebration of Plurality and Shared Creativity
Since its start in 2015, Ibrida Festival has grown from a small gathering of friends into a key event for intermedia arts. Founded by Francesca Leoni and Davide Mastrangelo of Vertov Project, it focuses on experimental audiovisual work like video art, found footage, and 3D animation. The 2025 edition, themed “Moltitudine” or Multitude, marks ten years by embracing diversity as a creative force. It promises to draw thousands of visitors who crave inspiration, connection, and bold ideas in a world where art forms mix and multiply.
The festival’s spirit shines in its simple yet powerful setup. There are no flashy crowds or big commercial vibes, just open spaces for honest expression, friendly talks, and moments of surprise. “Moltitudine is not just a theme, it is the festival’s very form, a living organism where intimate art meets shared power,” say the directors. This year’s event builds on past successes, where artists and audiences co-create in ways that linger long after the lights dim.
The Site: Factories, Galleries, and Urban Charm
Ibrida Festival unfolds mainly at the Fabbrica delle Candele in Forlì, a former candle factory turned creative hub with raw brick walls and open floors that echo the city’s industrial past. Multiple areas host events, from large projection screens in the main hall to cozy corners for workshops. Nearby, the Fondazione Dino Zoli gallery adds elegance with its white walls and natural light, perfect for immersive installations.
Visitors can stroll between spots, grab coffee from local stalls serving fresh pastries and espresso, or sit on benches amid sculptures. The layout sparks discovery, like stumbling on a hidden performance in a side room. Forlì itself, with its medieval towers and quiet piazzas, wraps the festival in warmth. It’s a calm spot in Emilia-Romagna, close to the Adriatic Sea, where art feels woven into daily life.
A Line-up of Pioneers and Innovators
What makes Ibrida special is its mix of global stars and fresh talents in video art, performance, and sound. For 2025, the program blends established names with rising voices from over 15 countries. Highlights include American artist Gary Hill, a Golden Lion winner from the Venice Biennale and video art pioneer. On September 27, he leads a free talk at Campostrino and shows his installation “Self ( )” at Fondazione Dino Zoli, exploring body and image in new ways.
The lineup kicks off on September 25 with the Italian premiere of “Logos Mater” by Amelie Duchow, a sound-visual piece weaving mother tongues from around the world into shifting patterns. Other gems include “Flesh Orchestra” by Gianpaolo Capobianco on September 28, where crowd movements turn into live electronic music and visuals. Past years featured artists like Robert Cahen and Regina José Galindo, whose works on identity and migration left deep marks. This year adds workshops and awards, like the Architecture Dissonanti prize for videos on Forlì’s rationalist buildings, keeping the focus on thoughtful, layered curation.
Days and Nights of Immersive Flow
Days at Ibrida hum with gentle energy. Mornings start with talks and workshops, where participants learn video editing or sound design hands-on. Families, students, and solo explorers gather on factory floors for projections of short films that tackle themes like digital bodies and cultural layers. Food trucks offer simple Italian bites, cheese platters, and herbal teas, while artisans sell handmade prints and tech gadgets.
As night falls, the spaces glow with projections and soft lights. The main hall pulses with live cinema, where musicians sync beats to swirling images on huge screens. The air fills with electronic hums and whispers, creating a communal trance. No loud chaos here, just rhythms that invite you to lean in and feel part of the creation. Late nights bring jam sessions and open mics, where strangers collaborate on spontaneous pieces, blurring lines between maker and watcher.
A Festival Built on Inclusive Values
Ibrida goes beyond shows, it honors openness, sustainability, and growth. The program includes discussions on art’s role in society, dance workshops inspired by intermedia, and circles for sharing stories through visuals. Five national and international prizes reward bold works, judged by experts who value risk over polish.
The event partners with local groups to use eco-friendly tech, cut waste, and boost Forlì’s economy through farm-fresh catering and regional crafts. Schedules mix fixed times with free-flow moments, letting the weekend unfold like a conversation, full of pauses and sparks. It’s a nod to Romagna’s experimental roots, from 1980s theater groups to today’s digital explorers.
Planning Your Visit
Tickets for Ibrida sell fast, so book early via the website. Options range from single-day passes to full-weekend access, with free entry for kids and students. Prices stay affordable to match the grassroots feel, covering fees for artists too.
Forlì is easy to reach by train from Bologna or car via the A14 highway. Stay in cozy B&Bs downtown or camp nearby for a budget vibe. The site has shaded areas and rest spots, but wear comfy shoes for wandering. Arrive early on September 25 to catch the prologue exhibition “Anatomie Digitali” at Fondazione Dino Zoli, open until October 12 with 55 artists’ works.
Why Ibrida Festival Stands Out
In a time of solo streaming and big spectacles, Ibrida feels alive and real. No VIP zones or ads, just raw spaces where ideas collide and grow. It’s where you might co-create a soundscape with a stranger or watch your shadow morph into art on a wall. The multitude isn’t chaos, it’s harmony, a reminder that art thrives when we all join in.
This edition celebrates ten years by looking back and forward, honoring past editions’ magic while pushing new edges. Attendees leave not just with memories, but with tools to make their own creations.
Explore the Surroundings
Beyond the festival, Forlì charms with its layers. Walk medieval walls at dawn, visit the ancient cathedral, or hike nearby hills dotted with vineyards. Farmers’ markets buzz with fresh produce, and small cafes serve piadina sandwiches by the river. These breaks tie the art to place, turning a trip into a full sensory story.
Evenings, join locals for gelato strolls or stargazing from Piazzale della Vittoria, blending festival buzz with quiet reflection.
Moltitudine – Ibrida Festival 2025: More Than Art, It’s a Collective Pulse
Moltitudine – Ibrida Festival 2025 delivers more than events, it sparks a sense of unity in diversity. With its factory echoes, glowing screens, and shared silences, it calls you to dive in, reflect, connect, and carry the multitude’s energy home. Whether you’re an artist or curious viewer, this Forlì gathering reminds us that creativity multiplies when we embrace the many.
Follow Ibrida Festival online for ticket updates, artist reveals, and travel advice:
Website: ibridafestival.it
Instagram: @ibridafestival