By Valerie Milano
Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 2/21/25 – The glitz and glamour of Filming Italy Los Angeles continued into its third day, bringing together international talent, cinematic excellence, and a deep appreciation for Italian filmmaking. Hosted at the prestigious Directors Guild of America, the festival is now celebrating its 10th anniversary, further solidifying its role in bridging the worlds of Italian and American cinema.
A Celebration of Italian Film and Music
Day three of the festival featured a much-anticipated screening of The Boy with Pink Pants, directed by Margherita Ferri, a breakout hit and one of Italy’s most talked-about films of 2024. The screening was followed by a special performance by Arisa, one of Italy’s most celebrated artists, adding a musical touch to the evening. The festival continued with the showing of C’è Ancora Domani (There’s Still Tomorrow), the highest-grossing Italian film of 2023, which captivated audiences with its poignant storytelling.
Hollywood Meets Italian Cinema
The past days have been filled with high-profile appearances and screenings. Renowned Italian filmmakers Michele Placido and Fabrizio Bentivoglio presented Eterno Visionario, a cinematic tribute to Nobel Prize-winning writer Luigi Pirandello. Hollywood heavyweights, including Alfre Woodard (See), Alessandro Nivola (Kraven the Hunter), and legendary director Pupi Avati, also engaged in exclusive discussions with audiences.
Wednesday’s red carpet was nothing short of spectacular, featuring appearances by Zoe Saldana alongside her husband Marco Perego, Alec Baldwin, and director Gabriele Muccino, making it a truly international celebration of film.
A Decade of Filming Italy Los Angeles
Founded by Tiziana Rocca, Filming Italy Los Angeles has grown into a premier festival celebrating Italian cinema on the global stage. Over the years, the festival has welcomed an illustrious lineup of stars, including Rosario Dawson, Monica Bellucci, Oliver Stone, Jeremy Renner, Spike Lee, and Vanessa Hudgens.
“The festival has become a major platform for promoting Italian cinema internationally,” says Rocca. “Reaching ten years is an incredible milestone, and it’s inspiring to see how the festival has built a cultural bridge between Italy and the U.S.”
For its 10th edition, Dolph Lundgren serves as the festival’s President, honoring his diverse career spanning action, drama, and comedy. The Festival Ambassador, celebrated Italian actress Isabella Ferrari, recently starred in Paolo Sorrentino’s Parthenope.
Empowering Women in Film
As one of the few female festival directors in the industry, Tiziana Rocca has made it her mission to support women in cinema. She highlights the need for more female-driven stories and directors, stating, “The path is now underway, and we hope more women will continue to champion other women in this industry.”
Filming Italy Los Angeles has already made history, securing two Walk of Fame stars for Italian icons Giancarlo Giannini and Gina Lollobrigida. Rocca’s efforts have also helped numerous Italian filmmakers secure international distribution, further elevating the country’s cinematic influence.
Star-Studded Opening Night
The festival kicked off with a celebration of the 20th anniversary of The Pursuit of Happyness, featuring director Gabriele Muccino. Other highlights included a screening of Marco Perego’s Oscar-nominated short Dovecote, starring his wife Zoe Saldana.
This year’s honorees include:
- Da’Vine Joy Randolph (The Holdovers) – Women in Power Award
- Carlo Diehz (Conclave) – Best Actor Award
- Billy Zane (Waltzing with Brando) – Career Achievement Recognition
- Tarak Ben Ammar – Lifetime Achievement in Production
- Abigail Cohen – Rising Star Award
- Elena Kampouris (Here Now) – Honoree for L’Oréal Paris & Save the Children
- Diana Del Bufalo – Godmother of the Festival
Special guests include Valeria Golino (The Morning Show) and singer Arisa, making this edition of Filming Italy Los Angeles a spectacular convergence of film, music, and culture.
As the festival continues through February 22nd, audiences can look forward to more exclusive screenings, red carpet appearances, and engaging discussions, reaffirming the festival’s role as a cultural bridge between Italy and Hollywood.
