The Italian Podcasting Festival has confirmed its 2025 edition with a wide programme of events for professionals, creators, brands, institutions and listeners.
Taking place across September and into October, the festival is directed by Ester Memeo, CEO and Founder of Podstar, and will explore the most relevant themes shaping today’s digital audio entertainment landscape.
This year’s focus areas include video podcasting, artificial intelligence in production and distribution, podcasts as tools for civic and cultural communication, and “crossmediality”, looking at how podcasts connect with other media and formats.
The agenda features workshops, panels, live shows and networking events aimed at encouraging growth, learning and collaboration across the sector.
The festival begins in Rome on 20 September with live podcast showcases and an innovation award ceremony supported by the Casa delle Tecnologie Emergenti – Roma Capitale and Rome Future Week.
The Casa del Podcast at Villa Torlonia will also host free courses for beginners, alongside advanced masterclasses on podcast and audiobook production and markets, organised by ASSIPOD.org, the Italian Podcasting Association.
On 30 September, International Podcast Day will be marked by an online event with Italian and international guests discussing global trends and sharing experiences. New research by NielsenIQ for Audible will be presented on the same day, offering updated insights into podcast listening, formats and user behaviour in Italy.
The festival culminates in Milan at the Cascina Triulza – MIND Milano Innovation District with a two-day Podcast Summit.
On 3 October, highlights include live podcasts with 24Ore Podcast, the Emerging Podcasts showcase with Acast, and the Breakthrough Podcast of the Year Award from Media Key. The day ends with the popular Aperipodcast networking event.
On 4 October, the programme features panels, workshops and live performances, along with the Pod24 Award recognising the best independent reporting and investigative podcasts.
Sponsors and partners for 2025 include Acast, Audible, Spotify, Yamaha Music Europe, Canva, ASSIPOD and YouTube, with Emergency also joining. Media Key and Class Editori have been confirmed as official media partners.
