Magis BANCOMAT Prize: the second edition is underway

Magis BANCOMAT Prize for Italian fiction: telling the world's stories, making it a better place.

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The launch press conference for the second edition, held today, Thursday, June 11, 2026, at Horti Sallustiani, featured speakers Giulia Caminito, Franco Dalla Sega, Marco Lodoli, Annamaria Malato, and Sebastiano Nata.

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The Prize increases the contribution allocated to humanitarian organizations selected by the organizers to 300,000 euros. The funds will be invested in projects aimed at reducing hunger, promoting education, and supporting female entrepreneurship.

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PRESS RELEASE

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The second edition of the Magis BANCOMAT Prize is underway, launched by Fondazione 153, with the participation of BANCOMAT as the main sponsor and the support of the Fondazione Silvano Toti.

The Prize, which was created with the goal of celebrating Italian literature while simultaneously promoting solidarity projects, is divided into two sections: the Magis BANCOMAT Literature Prize, for established authors, and the Magis BANCOMAT Debut Prize.

“This is the second year of the Magis Bancomat Prize, and we are aware that we are building something meant to last: a regular appointment with great Italian fiction. For us, it means giving shape to the values we identify with: literature as a tool for knowledge, support for new generations, and the ability to innovate without losing what belongs to us. And then there is the element that makes this prize truly unique: the winners will help define the concrete impact of the humanitarian projects we support,” stated BANCOMAT Chairman Franco Dalla Sega.

The jury that will select the most deserving works is chaired by Marco Lodoli and composed of prominent writers, literary critics, and cultural figures: Giulia Caminito, Andrea Carraro, Carlo D’Amicis, Mario Desiati, Donatella Di Cesare, Angelo Ferracuti, Maria Ida Gaeta, Filippo La Porta, Carlo Lucarelli, Annamaria Malato, Sebastiano Nata, Valeria Parrella, Sandra Petrignani, Roberto Saviano, Gianluigi Simonetti, Antonio Spadaro, Elena Stancanelli, Emanuele Trevi, and Sandro Veronesi.

The Magis BANCOMAT Prize will allocate 300,000 euros to humanitarian organizations pre-selected by BANCOMAT and Fondazione 153.

For 2026, the AVSI Foundation joins the group consisting of Banco Alimentare, Busajo, Caritas, Progetto Rwanda, and Save The Children.

“We realize more and more that the work of a writer and the work of those in the humanitarian field, while appearing very different, actually share common characteristics. They require time, creativity, insight, and a great deal of commitment. Every book, and every impoverished person helped to become an autonomous and free individual, needs the same intelligent and affectionate care. Furthermore, greater justice is important for appreciating the beauty that exists in things. This is why our manifesto phrase—telling the world, making it a better place—though ambitious, faithfully represents the spirit that guides us.” commented Sebastiano Nata, President of the Steering Committee.

The winner of the Magis BANCOMAT Literature prize, in addition to receiving a 10,000 euro award, will choose how to distribute 180,000 euros among AVSI, Busajo, Caritas, Progetto Rwanda, and Save The Children. Each humanitarian organization will receive 30,000 euros, while the chosen one will receive an additional 30,000 euros.

The winner of the Magis BANCOMAT Debut Author prize will receive a 4,000 euro award. They will also have the honor of allocating 120,000 euros to the three pre-selected Banco Alimentare projects. Each project will receive 30,000 euros, while the one selected by the winner will receive an additional 30,000 euros.

“The Magis Bancomat Prize returns this year, animated as always by the conviction that art is not about the pursuit of success, vanity, narcissism, or solitary unhappiness, but can be a creative way to transform the world by telling its story. For us on the jury, the goal is always to choose an unmissable book and to contribute financially to the noble work of the many non-profits dedicated to children's education. In short, Magis Bancomat is an important journey: imagination takes us far, while solidarity keeps us close to those in need.” stated Marco Lodoli, President of the jury.

Works of Italian fiction published between August 1, 2025, and July 31, 2026, are eligible for the Magis BANCOMAT Prize. Texts may be submitted by publishing houses, which must send 25 copies of the work to the organizing secretariat no later than July 15, 2026. Each publisher may nominate a maximum of 2 works (one for each section of the Prize). Jury members may also select works they deem worthy.

Annamaria Malato, jury member and President of Più Libri Più Liberi, stated: "We are very happy to host the closing evening of the Magis Bancomat Prize on Saturday, December 5, at the PLPL fair, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year and has become its home. We have fully shared its inspiration from the very beginning, combining the promotion of the best literature—regardless of brand strength—with a concrete act of solidarity that is unique in its scale in Italy."

“The Magis Bancomat Prize is awarded by a jury of excellent writers who debate, discuss, and get energized by the nominated books. It is a friendly and invigorating atmosphere that always leads to choosing books of great strength and quality.”concluded Giulia Caminito, a juror for the Prize.

For more detailed information and the official rules, please visit the website www.premiomagisbancomat.it.

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