The 21st edition of the prestigious Italian showcase brings young talents and national icons to the heart of Hollywood during Awards Season
The 21st edition of the Los Angeles Italia Festival will take place from March 8 to 14, on the eve of the Academy Awards, once again bringing the very best of Italian cinema, culture and creativity to the heart of Hollywood. Founded by Pascal Vicedomini and currently chaired by Raffaella De Laurentiis, the festival stands as one of the most influential international platforms for the promotion of Made in Italy in the global film and cultural industries. Among its historic founding members are the late Marina Cicogna, alongside Franco Nero and Tony Renis, reaffirming the festival’s deep roots in Italian and international cinema.
For many years, the great Lina Wertmüller was the guiding light of the festival, symbolizing its strong artistic identity and international prestige. Pascal Vicedomini has often emphasized how Los Angeles Italia represents the closing of a vital circle, connecting the finest Italian talents with Hollywood at the most crucial moment of the cinematic year. Major international stars regularly take part in the festival’s mission, actively supporting the promotion of Italy and Italian culture by traveling to the country throughout the year and strengthening the bond between the two industries.
Over the decades, Los Angeles Italia has become a key reference point for Italian artists competing for the coveted Academy Awards, while also honoring the best Italian-American talents every year. In this way, the festival has established itself as a true cultural bridge between Italy and the United States, where creativity, heritage and contemporary cinema meet.
The festival has also played a major role in celebrating Italian excellence on the legendary Hollywood Walk of Fame, helping to secure four stars for some of Italy’s greatest cultural icons: Bernardo Bertolucci (2008), Andrea Bocelli (2010), Ennio Morricone (2016) and Lina Wertmüller (2019). The Institute behind the festival was also instrumental in supporting Lina Wertmüller’s Lifetime Achievement Oscar campaign, making a significant contribution to the international recognition of Italian talent.
This year’s edition will feature Antonino Montefusco, the acclaimed chef of Terrazza Bosquet in Sorrento, alongside a new generation of emerging artists and established professionals. As in previous years, the festival will place a strong focus on young talents, many of whom have already been showcased at major Italian festivals such as Ischia Global, Capri Hollywood and Sorrento Film & Food Festival, further strengthening Los Angeles Italia’s role as a global showcase for Italian excellence.
With more than a week of screenings, events, meetings and high-level networking in Hollywood, the Los Angeles Italia Festival once again confirms itself as one of the most important international celebrations of Italy in cinema, setting the stage for the excitement of Oscar Night while spotlighting the creativity and vision of Italian artists overseas.
The festival takes place with the patronage and support of the Italian Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Region of Campania, the City of Los Angeles and other institutional partners, as well as private sponsors such as Intesa Sanpaolo, reinforcing a strong alliance between public institutions and private enterprises in promoting Italian culture and talent worldwide.
