Italian cinema returns to center stage in Hollywood with LA, Italia Festival 2026, scheduled from March 8 to 14 at the TCL Chinese Theatres with a week of premieres, recognitions and meetings with leading figures from the Italian and international cultural industries on the eve of the Academy Awards.
The event, promoted by the Istituto Capri nel Mondo, with the support of Italy’s Ministry of Culture and under the patronage of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAECI) and the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy (MIMIT), in collaboration with Intesa Sanpaolo, KPMG and Rainbow and with the participation of ICE – Italian Trade Agency, the Consulate General and the Italian Cultural Institute, will open on Sunday, March 8 with a special screening of “1900 (Novecento)” by Bernardo Bertolucci marking the 50th anniversary of the masterpiece, as part of the “Honoring the Italian Masters” section.
This will be followed by the film “Buen Camino” by Gennaro Nunziante starring Checco Zalone, the all-time champion of the Italian box office, the U.S. premiere of the television series “Sandokan: The Pirate Prince”, and in the evening “Anna – The Untold Story,” written, directed and starring Monica Guerritore, dedicated to the myth of Anna Magnani.
A highlight of the 2026 edition will take place on Wednesday, March 11 with the special screening of the documentary “Fasting and the Longevity Revolution” by Barry Alexander Brown, as part of the “Healthy Food, Happy Life” project. Actor Edward Norton will receive a festival award alongside the director and will take part in a public discussion together with Professor Valter Longo, one of the world’s leading experts on nutrition and longevity, and producer Chiara Tilesi. The event is organized with the support of ICE following the recognition of Italian cuisine as UNESCO heritage.
Throughout the week, the festival founded by Pascal Vicedomini (now in its 21st edition) will present numerous U.S. premieres in the “Italian Cinema Today” section, including “Unicorns,” “La vita va così” by Riccardo Milani, “Un bel giorno” by Fabio De Luigi, “La vita da grandi” by Greta Scarano, “La camera di consiglio” by Fiorenza Infascelli, “L’ultima sfida” by Antonio Silvestre starring Gilles Rocca, “Squali” by Daniele Barbiero starring Lorenzo Zurzolo, “The Third Time” and “Zoe.” Special screenings will also feature works by directors such as Mario Martone (“Fuori”), Paolo Virzì (“5 secondi”) and Gabriele Salvatores (“Napoli New York”).
The fiction showcase will include special screenings of “Guerrieri,” “Rosso volante” and “Battiato.” Meanwhile the documentary section will feature celebratory portraits of Riccardo Cocciante, Diane Warren and Tony Renis (known to American audiences as Mr. Quando Quando Quando).
Italian fashion and style will also be highlighted: on March 13 the Italian Cultural Institute in Los Angeles will host a gala celebrating Giorgio Armani and Valentino Garavani, in collaboration with the Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana. Recognitions will also be dedicated to Italian icons such as Renzo Arbore and Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, the subject of the documentary “Luca: Seeing Red.”
The festival will conclude on March 14 with the special screening of “Two Billion Hearts – FIFA World Cup USA 1994,” ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The full program is available at www.losangelesitalia.com.
