The 42nd edition of the premier summer event dedicated to animation, comics, and pop culture is back.
Set between the seafront and the historic centre—stretching across open-air arenas, museums, libraries, and art galleries—a rich programme of initiatives will paint the entire city in the thousand shades of pop culture. The line-up features 200 animated short films, film previews, creative workshops, masterclasses, meetings with internationally renowned authors and artists, and exhibitions. Among these is an exhibition dedicated to John Nevarez, a guest of the festival and visual development artist for Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Coco, Inside Out, and many other animation masterpieces.
From 16th to 19th July, Piazzale Fellini will come alive with the grand gathering for fans of comics, anime, video games, and TV series. Every year, the square and the beachfront welcome publishers, artists, merchandise and comic book vendors, themed areas, and thrilling live performances.
The evenings on the Show & Music Stage will host concerts by Italian and international artists, such as: 
Mai dire Goku: a live show featuring a band and DJ set built around the anime and cartoon theme songs that served as the soundtrack for an entire generation;
Raggi Fotonici: Long-standing composers of cartoon music (The Amazing World of Gumball, Fairy Tail, Digimon Adventure), celebrating 30 years in the industry and 25 years since their first live performance, which took place right here at RiminiComix;
Mika Kobayashi: The Japanese singer-songwriter and pianist, and one of the most iconic voices in anime music. She will take to the stage with a special show in collaboration with Tetsuro Shimaguchi—choreographer of the martial arts scenes in Tarantino’s Kill Bill and many other films—and his Samurai Artist Kamui troupe.
Finally, the grand finale on Sunday features Generazione Vanni, a unique show where you can sing along to your favourite theme tunes from the 90s to the present day with the iconic voice of Giorgio Vanni, followed by an energetic DJ set, "Alla DiscoTEKa", by Daniel Tek.
Cosplay remains a major highlight (16th–19th July), thanks to one of the most significant conventions in Italy, which will culminate on the afternoon of Saturday 18th July with the official contest. Furthermore, for the first time in Rimini, visitors can experience Crossover Wrestling, Italy’s only cosplay wrestling show.
One of the most atmospheric events is Italy’s Largest Cosplay Sunrise: a unique gathering on the morning of 18th July that will bring together hundreds of cosplayers and enthusiasts for a group photo by the sea at daybreak, transforming the Rimini beach into an extraordinary stage suspended between fantasy and reality.
This year’s Guest of Honour is Giorgio Cavazzano, one of the great masters of European comics, celebrated for revolutionising the Disney style with his dynamic and cinematic approach. An exhibition titled "Giorgio Cavazzano: The Mark of a Master" is dedicated to his art, tracing his career and highlighting the evolution of his style—from a pioneer of Disney storytelling to a benchmark for younger artists. Hosted at the Rimini City Museum from 12th July to 6th September, the exhibition features original plates from iconic stories such as Mickey & Minnie in "Casablanca" (a parody of the famous film), Mickey Mouse and the Secret of the Castle (the first Disney "choose-your-own-adventure" story), Topo Maltese (a tribute to Hugo Pratt’s sailor), and Uncle Scrooge and the Formula One Adventure. Also featured is a showcase of covers, non-Disney characters, and a section dedicated to Mickey Mouse presents: La Strada, based on the immortal Fellini film—an essential tribute in the great director's home city.
During the evening of Saturday 18th July, Cavazzano will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award for Comic Literature, an honour the festival bestows annually upon the masters who have shaped the history and evolution of illustrated art. To mark the occasion, a staged reading of Mickey Mouse presents: La Strada will be performed in collaboration with the Fellini Museum.