Industry

The 2025 edition of the Filming Italy Sardegna Festival, conceived and directed by Tiziana Rocca, once again demonstrated a strong commitment to education and youth engagement. Held from June 19 to 22 in Cagliari and at the Forte Village—with a special pre-opening event on June 18—the festival also extended its programming with a dedicated screening section for university students at Notorious Cinemas Cagliari, running until June 28.

One of the festival’s most distinctive features was its close collaboration with the University of Cagliari, offering students an extraordinary opportunity to attend exclusive masterclasses with Hollywood actors, participate in conferences with top industry professionals, and gain access to screenings and panels usually reserved for insiders.
Among the most anticipated masterclasses were those with internationally renowned actor Simon Baker (The Mentalist, The Devil Wears Prada), who shared personal insights from his decades-long career in television and film, reflecting on the evolution of his craft and the challenges of transitioning from actor to director. Ashley Greene, best known for her role in the Twilight saga, engaged the audience in a passionate discussion about the evolving role of women in the film industry, emphasizing the importance of empowering female voices both in front of and behind the camera. The event also paid tribute to two iconic figures of Italian and international cinema: Fabio Testi, and Franco Nero, a legendary performer whose career spans over five decades.
This educational focus reflected Tiziana Rocca’s ongoing effort to create a space where young people could connect academic learning with the realities of the entertainment industry. Through this, the festival became not just a cultural celebration, but a valuable training ground for future professionals in film and television.