22–24 May 2026 | Foggia Historic City Centre

The historic heart of Foggia becomes a living laboratory of pop culture, civic engagement and artistic expression this weekend, as the Festival del Nerd opens its landmark tenth edition. Organised by the Festival del Nerd Association in partnership with the Municipality of Foggia, the three-day programme brings together comics, film, music, cosplay and meaningful conversations on some of the most pressing social issues of our time.

Neurodivergence and Mental Health Take Centre Stage
One of the most significant strands of this year's edition addresses autism and neurodivergence with the care and visibility they deserve. Mingo De Pasquale, protagonist of the acclaimed web series Il Mondo di Pin short films centred on Pin, a non-verbal adult with severe autism  will attend the festival alongside Giuseppe Sansone for a public awareness session. The authors behind Neurodivergenze e Salute Mentale, published by Revue Italia, will also participate in what promises to be one of the weekend's most thoughtful conversations.

Graphic Medicine: Where Comics Meet Healthcare
A dedicated strand explores the growing field of graphic medicine, with artist Giuliano Cangiano whose autobiographical work Diario a Fumetti del Mio Cancro documents his experience of illness with remarkable candour joining Veronica Moretti, lecturer at the University of Bologna and Vice-President of Graphic Medicine Italia.

Comics and Animation: Industry Heavyweights in Attendance
The comics programme features Domenico Carbone, an Italian artist currently working for Marvel Comics following collaborations with Dark Horse, Image Comics and Dynamite, as well as a masterclass with Gianfranco Florio, whose career spans Disney, Pixar and Marvel. The rare diseases conversation will be anchored by Il Bambino Senza Bocca, by Miriam Bisceglie and Giuseppe Guida.

Cinema: From Independent Shorts to Prime-Time Productions
Nicola Conversa, director of Mezzanotte Zero Zero shortlisted for the David di Donatello, Italy's most prestigious film award and collaborator with Disney, Rai and Sky, leads a talk on the journey of web-born filmmakers at the Altrocinema Cicolella. On Saturday 23 May, two-time Nastro d'Argento winner Nicola Nocella reflects on the craft of acting across film and contemporary theatre.

International Guests, Live Music and Spectacle
Among the most anticipated international names is Darko Perić, beloved by audiences worldwide for his portrayal of Helsinki in Money Heist, who will share his experience of global television production. The music programme features beloved Italian icons Cristina D'Avena and Giorgio Vanni, whilst the cosplay community is represented by Zhalia, Faenel and SuperAzzurro. Content creators Marco Merrino, Mario Sturniolo and Francesco Merrino, voice actor Leonardo Graziano, and kickboxing athlete Mattia Faraoni complete a remarkably eclectic line-up.

Exhibitions, Gaming and a Commemorative Philatelic Cancellation
Palazzo Dogana hosts original artwork exhibitions alongside competitive gaming, softair and sport climbing. To mark the festival's tenth anniversary, Poste Italiane will issue a special commemorative philatelic cancellation a fitting tribute to a decade of cultural endeavour.

The Festival del Nerd once again affirms Foggia's standing as one of southern Italy's most dynamic cultural destinations, demonstrating that pop culture and civic responsibility are not merely compatible  they are, at their best, inseparable.

For further details, please visit the official festival website at www.festivaldelnerd.it