FISM 2025 – The Final Wrap

Assessing FISM 2025 as a whole is no easy task.

Masters of Magic promised us the “FISM of our dreams,” proudly declaring that Italy would (again) deliver the “Best FISM ever.” They set that bar—no one else.

And by that measure, unfortunately, they failed.

The now-infamous stage tent—with its back-breaking chairs and flat, sightline-killing floor for 2,000 people—was an embarrassment. The pre-event promise that FISM was “returning to a real theatre” was, frankly, deceptive. That no explanation, let alone acknowledgment, was ever offered for these conditions was a grave misjudgement.

For most, the FISM stage experience meant staring at the back of the person’s head in front while squinting at a screen somewhere in the next postcode—all while toggling between Arctic chill and Hades’ inferno. Not exactly the magic dream we were sold for the World Championships of Magic

The tent’s shortcomings rippled through the entire event: dire backstage conditions, complicated rehearsals, technical constraints, events over-running and a negative impact on the contestants and artists themselves.

FISM Rimini was marred by the Masters of Magic television debacle. Sadly, no lessons were learned … tread carefully when dealing with the subject of performer’s rights. This year, contestants were handed television contracts just hours before rehearsals—sign or don’t perform. Similar agreements were pushed into the hands of performers the moment they stepped off planes, dismissed with a casual “it’s just a standard agreement.” That’s not how you treat professionals and creates an air of discontent.

Then there’s the jury—among the most dedicated at FISM, enduring marathon days with little more than water and willpower. Seems no one thought they were worthy of catering... an oversight that nearly triggered a small-scale revolution no doubt. When you’re judging the World Championships of Magic, a sandwich shouldn’t be too much to conjure. And while the cast were accommodated in luxury hotels, the contest coordinators were stashed in university dorms like exchange students on a budget. Apparently coordinating a World Championship Contest only earns you bed, board, and a campus meal plan.

Magic doesn’t happen on its own—look after the people who make it possible. Somehow, FISM Italy managed to frustrate all four major groups on day one: contestants, jury, performers, and attendees. That’s no small feat. Annoying one group? Easy. Two? Impressive. But all four? That’s Grand Prix level.

On the shoulders of the jury president, however, must fall one of the event’s most baffling failures: the wifi scoring system goes down, and with it the entire close-up contest—because no one apparently thought to pack a pencil.

The absence of a proper dealers’ room was another major letdown. Tables crammed into corridors created a disorganized, flea-market-like maze—hardly the professional magic expo FISM deserves.

Scheduling, too, was a nightmare. Gala shows ending at 2 a.m.? Contests running over six hours? No meaningful breaks between events? It was relentless. They accepted too many competitors, overburdened the line-up, and forced delegates to miss major events just to keep up. This was, hands down, the most exhausting FISM ever. Too much of everything, to the point of breaking.

Now—to the positives.

FISM Italy achieved something previously unthinkable: the most punctual FISM to date. In a country where time is usually “flexible,” that is no small feat.

The staff were friendly and welcoming. Registration was smooth. The branding and design? World-class. And the sheer scale of the programming—lectures, shows, special events—was staggering. The talent on offer was extraordinary. It’s just a pity many couldn’t experience most of it due to the relentless schedule.

The banquet was a true highlight. The venue was stunning—even if some endured an 80-minute, standing-room-only shuttle ride to get there. But ultimately, it succeeded where so many FISM gala dinners do not.

The close-up venue may have been the best tech-wise in FISM history—more lights than the stage tent, apparently. Overall, production value across the convention was exceptional. And the introduction of Street Magic and Online Magic categories by Masters of Magic is a genuine innovation and a step forward.
Special mention must go to Andrea Baioni, FISM President, who—often quietly—continues to steer the organisation in the right direction. It’s not easy work, but progress is being made. Still, more needs to be done. We continue to remain inward focus and as has been said before – FISM needs to be going to the world. As a small first step, FISM should be appointing a its own PR agency to share the news of our world champions with international media. It’s simply not enough for the coverage to stop at the local Italian press. These artists deserve to have their accomplishments celebrated worldwide—and FISM must take ownership of making that happen.

FISM also needs to adopt a stronger oversight role. It’s no longer enough to sign a contract and let local organisers operate as they choose. Accountability matters—there must be clear checks and balances every step of the way. Too often, bid books are submitted, awarded, and then forgotten. Greater involvement is needed to ensure the minimum norms and standards of the World Championships are upheld from start to finish.

Ask ten people about FISM Italy, and you’ll hear ten wildly different accounts, shaped by which “track” they followed throughout the week. Despite its highs and lows, this event was powered by an army of people working themselves to the bone behind the scenes to make the magic happen. And for that, they deserve genuine gratitude.

FISM Italy had no major disasters. No mass walkouts. No public jeering requiring the ghost of Max Maven to restore order. That, in itself, is remarkable.

Yes, the tent was a catastrophe in canvas – and while it casts a long (and poorly ventilated) shadow over the week, credit where it’s due: considering how much could have gone wrong, FISM Italy still ultimately pulled off a good (if occasionally fatally flawed) event.

Magicians love to claim that contests don’t matter. They do. For six days, artists from around the globe came together to celebrate the one thing that unites us all: a shared love of magic. We saw old friends. Made new ones. And rediscovered the wonder we constantly chase.

That is, and always will be, the true meaning of FISM.

See you in Busan.

First of all, THANK YOU for and sharing your experience! It is very much appreciated.

Who were the judges? Is there a published list of who judged each category? Was there overlap between the judges for the the various competitions and then the Grand Prix competition?

Mark