Industry

The 8th edition of the Filming Italy Sardegna Festival, conceived and directed by Tiziana Rocca, was officially presented yesterday in Rome. The festival will take place from June 19 to 22 in Cagliari and at Forte Village, with a special pre-opening screening on June 18 and a student-focused film section running from June 23 to 28 at Notorious Cinemas Cagliari.

Celebrated for its unique approach to merging cinema and television, the festival presents an exciting program of premieres, panels, and masterclasses, featuring over 70 film titles, including international and Italian productions, many in world or national premieres.

Martina Stella will serve as the official ambassador of this edition, while Micaela Ramazzotti heads the short film jury, which includes names like Alec Baldwin, Heather Graham, and Rocío Muñoz Morales. Special guests range from Simon Baker, Fran Drescher, and Jane Seymour to Ezra Miller, Tessa Thompson, and Andy Serkis.

Among the Italian stars attending: Sergio Castellitto, Claudia Gerini, Raoul Bova, Marco Bocci, and Maria Grazia Cucinotta, who will also premiere Poveri Noi, the festival’s opening film. The lineup also includes restored classics like Fantozzi and Caro Diario, and previews of major international films such as Presence by Steven Soderbergh, Karate Kid: Legends, and The Apprentice.

The festival continues its commitment to education and inclusion, with panels like “Donne che raccontano altre donne,” masterclasses with industry professionals, and initiatives like Filming Italy – In Corto, in collaboration with the University of Cagliari, supporting young filmmakers.

Supported by institutions such as the Region of Sardinia and APA, and long-term partners like Intesa Sanpaolo and Women in Film, Television & Media Italia, the festival is not only a celebration of the big screen but a cultural bridge promoting sustainability, creativity, and diversity in audiovisual storytelling.

As Rocca emphasized: “This festival is a meeting place for cultures and generations, where cinema becomes a tool for dialogue, inspiration, and transformation.”