LOS ANGELES, Feb. 12 – The journey from Ischia to Capri, from Sorrento to the Hollywood Hills, was not merely a geographic arc — it was a story of conviction. A conviction that Italian culture, Italian storytelling, and Italian artistry deserved a permanent, recognized home at the most important crossroads in global cinema: Awards Season in Los Angeles.

I was deeply honored to step forward as President of the Los Angeles Italia – Film, Fashion and Art Festival and to carry forward an event whose origins are inseparable from visionaries. This festival was conceived and launched by Lina Wertmüller — Italy’s legendary, rule-breaking filmmaker — alongside the boundless energy and international perspective of Pascal Vicedomini. That foundation was not simply a point of pride. It was a responsibility.

I would have been remiss not to acknowledge the extraordinary leadership of Raffaella DeLaurentis, Chairman of the Los Angeles Italia Festival. Her stewardship represented continuity, discernment, and an unwavering commitment to excellence that guided this institution with clarity and purpose. I held her work in the highest regard and was deeply honored to serve alongside her. The strength of this festival has always rested on the caliber of those who lead it, and in Raffaella, that tradition of thoughtful, principled leadership was not only preserved — it was elevated.

The festival arrived that year at a remarkable moment. As the 21st edition prepared to unfold from March 8 to 14 at the iconic TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, on the eve of the Academy Awards, it did so with the same core belief that had always animated the event: that the bridge between Italy and California was not something built once and admired — it was something to be walked, widened, and renewed by every generation that crossed it.

My own professional life had been defined by exactly this kind of work. As the U.S. Leader of Contract Compliance Services at KPMG and as the leader of KPMG’s U.S./Italy Corridor, I had spent nearly two decades building institutional trust between two cultures that shared far more than a love of cinema. They shared a commitment to excellence, craftsmanship, and intentionality.

That same intentionality was what made the Los Angeles Italia Festival unlike anything else in the awards season landscape. It was not a trade fair. It was not a marketing exercise. It was a genuine act of cultural diplomacy — a place where filmmakers, musicians, fashion designers, artists, and food and wine artisans stood alongside Hollywood’s most recognized talents and reminded the world that the Italian imagination was alive, urgent, and commercially vital.

The work of this festival was also the work of a broader ecosystem. From Ischia Global to Capri Hollywood to the Sorrento Film and Food Festival — the route to Hollywood ran through the very heart of Southern Italy. Each stop in that journey refined and amplified the voice of Italian creativity before it reached California. By the time the festival opened its doors at the Chinese Theatre, Italian excellence had already been validated on home soil and sent outward with confidence.

That edition arrived at a moment of extraordinary cultural and industry significance. California’s entertainment economy was navigating fierce international competition for both talent and recognition. In that context, festivals that created sustained, substantive dialogue between the American industry and European creative traditions were not peripheral events — they were strategic assets. The Los Angeles Italia Festival was, in the fullest sense, a platform where cultural ambition and economic purpose reinforced one another.

I was grateful to the Capri in the World Institute, to the support of the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, to Intesa Sanpaolo, and to Raffaella Valentini, Consul General of Italy in Los Angeles, and the Italian Cultural Institute of Los Angeles — all of whom made this presence in Hollywood not just possible, but enduring.

When Lina Wertmüller and Pascal Vicedomini imagined this festival, they imagined a moment of arrival — a moment when Italian excellence would not simply be imported into Hollywood, but welcomed there as a full and permanent creative partner. Twenty-one editions later, that moment was not behind us. It was happening, from March 8 through 14, at the Chinese Theatre, on the eve of the Oscars, in the city that the world watches.

Hollywood was ready. Italy was ready. We were ready.

L'articolo CONSUL GENERAL RAFFAELLA VALENTINI AND FESTIVAL PRESIDENT FILIPPO PUGLISI ALIBRANDI AMONG THE LEADING FIGURES OF LOS ANGELES, ITALIA 2026, DRIVING ITALIAN CULTURE ON THE GLOBAL STAGE proviene da Los Angeles Film Festival.

L'articolo LOS ANGELES, ITALIA 2026 HONORED DEMIÁN BICHIR AND ÉTOILE VICTORIA ALETTA SERVED AS GODMOTHER OF THE 21ST EDITION proviene da Los Angeles Film Festival.

LOS ANGELES — Legendary Hollywood talent manager Rick Nicita took center stage at the 21st edition of Los Angeles, Italia – Film, Fashion and Art Festival 2026, bringing to the festival his extraordinary experience at the very core of the global entertainment industry.

A defining figure in Hollywood, Nicita built a remarkable career representing some of the most influential talents in cinema and television, shaping decades of storytelling and star power. His presence at LA, Italia 2026 added significant prestige to a program that continued to attract leading voices from both the American and Italian industries.

Held at the iconic TCL Chinese Theatre, the festival once again confirmed its role as a cultural bridge between Italy and Hollywood, gathering artists, producers and industry leaders during the crucial days leading up to the Academy Awards. In this context, Rick Nicita’s participation stood out as a moment of recognition for a career deeply intertwined with the evolution of modern entertainment.

Throughout the week, LA, Italia 2026 celebrated excellence across cinema, music, fashion and art, offering a platform where international professionals and emerging talents could meet, exchange ideas and build new collaborations. The presence of figures like Nicita reinforced the festival’s mission to connect creative industries on a global scale.

Founded and produced by Pascal Vicedomini, L.A., Italia – Film, Fashion and Art Festival is promoted with the support of the Italian Ministry of Culture and under the patronage of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, MIMIT and MIT, in collaboration with institutional and industrial partners including Intesa Sanpaolo, Rainbow and Givova. The festival’s Chairperson is Raffaella De Laurentiis, and its President is Filippo Puglisi Alibrandi.

L'articolo LEGENDARY HOLLYWOOD TALENT MANAGER RICK NICITA TOOK CENTER STAGE AT LA, ITALIA 2026 IN HOLLYWOOD, CELEBRATING A CAREER AT THE HEART OF THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY proviene da Los Angeles Film Festival.

L'articolo ACTRESS-MODEL SOFIA MILOS AND DIRECTOR VALTER D’ERRICO IN HOLLYWOOD FOR LA, ITALIA 2026 OPENING NIGHT, LAUNCHING A GREAT WEEK OF CINEMA, STARS AND GLOBAL STORIES proviene da Los Angeles Film Festival.

LOS ANGELES — Among the international voices featured at the 21st edition of Los Angeles, Italia – Film, Fashion and Art Festival 2026, acclaimed acting coach and performer Bernard Hiller joined the festival as a special guest, offering his unique perspective on acting, storytelling and the emotional craft of performance.

Known worldwide for his work with some of the most celebrated talents in the industry, Hiller built a reputation as one of Hollywood’s most respected acting coaches, shaping performances through a deeply personal and transformative approach. His presence at the festival added a distinctive dimension to a program traditionally focused on cinema and Italian creativity, opening a dialogue between artistic training and on-screen excellence.

During his time at the festival, Bernard Hiller engaged with filmmakers, actors and emerging talents, sharing insights into the emotional depth required in modern acting and the importance of authenticity in performance. His contribution resonated strongly within the international context of Los Angeles, where the boundaries between education, industry and artistic expression continuously intersect.

Appearing alongside key figures of the festival and participating in conversations and events surrounding the official program, Hiller helped reinforce the festival’s role not only as a showcase of films, but also as a platform for professional exchange and creative inspiration.

Founded and produced by Pascal Vicedomini, L.A., Italia – Film, Fashion and Art Festival is promoted with the support of the Italian Ministry of Culture and under the patronage of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, MIMIT and MIT, in collaboration with institutional and industrial partners including Intesa Sanpaolo, Rainbow and Givova. The festival’s Chairperson is Raffaella De Laurentiis, and its President is Filippo Puglisi Alibrandi.

L'articolo SPECIAL GUESTS BERNARD HILLER AND RAJAE BEZZAZ IN HOLLYWOOD, WITH THEIR DISTINCTIVE ARTISTIC VISION AND INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE proviene da Los Angeles Film Festival.

LOS ANGELES — Among the key institutional and industry figures who attended the 21st edition of Los Angeles, Italia – Film, Fashion and Art Festival 2026, Giosafat Riganò and Mauro Torres stood out as part of the network that strengthened the dialogue between Italy and the global entertainment industry.

Representing ITA – Italian Trade Agency, Giosafat Riganò contributed to highlighting the strategic importance of promoting Italian excellence abroad, supporting a festival that confirmed its role as a vital platform connecting Italian creativity with the global entertainment industry. His presence underscored the growing synergy between cultural promotion and industrial development within the audiovisual sector.

Alongside him, Mauro Torres was among the notable attendees of the festival, taking part in a week that brought together professionals, talents and institutions in the heart of Hollywood. His participation further reflected the festival’s ability to attract a wide network of figures operating across different areas of the international entertainment landscape.

Set at the iconic TCL Chinese Theatre, LA, Italia 2026 once again confirmed its role as a cultural and industrial bridge between Italy and Hollywood, offering a space where cinema, business and institutional dialogue converged during the crucial days leading up to the Academy Awards.

The presence of figures like Riganò and Torres highlighted the festival’s broader mission: not only to celebrate artistic excellence, but also to foster concrete connections between industries, markets and cultural institutions on a global scale.

Founded and produced by Pascal Vicedomini, L.A., Italia – Film, Fashion and Art Festival is promoted with the support of the Italian Ministry of Culture and under the patronage of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, MIMIT and MIT, in collaboration with institutional and industrial partners including Intesa Sanpaolo, Rainbow and Givova. The festival’s Chairperson is Raffaella De Laurentiis, and its President is Filippo Puglisi Alibrandi.

L'articolo GIOSAFAT RIGANÒ AND MAURO TORRES AT LA, ITALIA 2026, REINFORCING GLOBAL INDUSTRY AND INSTITUTIONAL CONNECTIONS proviene da Los Angeles Film Festival.

L'articolo ITALIAN MUSICAL GROUP COKY RICCIOLINO AND CIRIBIRIBIN PERFORM CLASSIC ITALIAN SONGS AT THE CLOSING CEREMONY OF LOS ANGELES, ITALIA 2026 proviene da Los Angeles Film Festival.

L'articolo COMPOSER FABRIZIO MANCINELLI TAKES CENTER STAGE AT THE 21ST LOS ANGELES, ITALIA FESTIVAL, WITH HOST ANTONELLA SALVUCCI ADDING ELEGANCE TO HOLLYWOOD’S MOST ANTICIPATED CULTURAL WEEK proviene da Los Angeles Film Festival.

LOS ANGELES — The Italian film “Ultimo schiaffo,” directed by Matteo Oleotto, was presented in Hollywood during the 21st edition of LA, Italia – Film, Fashion and Art Festival, bringing to international audiences a darkly ironic story set in the snowy landscapes of northeastern Italy.

Set in a small village in Friuli Venezia Giulia, the film follows the complicated lives of two siblings struggling to survive in an environment marked by economic hardship and limited opportunities. When the disappearance of a dog whose owner has promised a generous reward seems to offer a chance to change their fortunes, what begins as a simple plan gradually turns into a chain of unexpected events that reveal the fragile dynamics of their community.

Through a mix of dark humor, tension and social observation, director Matteo Oleotto constructs a bittersweet portrait of provincial life, where desperation and hope coexist in equal measure. The cold and isolated setting becomes an essential narrative element, reflecting the emotional state of the characters and reinforcing the film’s atmosphere of irony and melancholy.

Presented as part of the program of LA, Italia – Film, Fashion and Art Festival, the film contributed to the festival’s mission of bringing contemporary Italian cinema to Hollywood audiences during the week leading up to the Academy Awards, highlighting stories capable of connecting local realities with universal human themes.

Founded and produced by Pascal Vicedomini, LA, Italia – Film, Fashion and Art Festival is promoted by the Istituto Capri nel Mondo with the support of the Italian Ministry of Culture, under the patronage of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) and the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy (MIMIT), in collaboration with Intesa Sanpaolo, KPMG and Rainbow, and with the participation of the Consulate General of Italy in Los Angeles, ICE – Italian Trade Agency, and the Italian Cultural Institute of Los Angeles.

L'articolo MATTEO OLEOTTO’S DARK COMEDY “THE LAST SLAP” BROUGHT A BITTERSWEET STORY OF SURVIVAL AND PROVINCIAL LIFE TO HOLLYWOOD AT LA, ITALIA – FILM, FASHION AND ART FESTIVAL proviene da Los Angeles Film Festival.

LOS ANGELES, FEB. 21 – The 21st edition of Los Angeles, Italia – Film, Fashion and Art Festival celebrated the 30th anniversary of Rainbow, the animation studio founded in 1995 by Iginio Straffi, now one of Europe’s leading players in entertainment for children and families.

Over three decades, Rainbow has distributed its content to more than 150 countries. Among its most famous titles is Winx Club, launched in 2004 and a global phenomenon: the series celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2024 and will mark its 30th in 2034.

LA, Italia – Film, Fashion and Art Festival, founded and produced by Pascal Vicedomini, is promoted by Istituto Capri nel Mondo with the support of the Ministero della Cultura and under the patronage of the Ministero degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale and the Ministero delle Imprese e del Made in Italy, in collaboration with ICE – ITA, Intesa Sanpaolo, KPMG, and with the participation of the Consolato Generale d’Italia a Los Angeles and the Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Los Angeles. The festival’s Chairperson is Raffaella De Laurentiis, and its President is Filippo Puglisi-Alibrandi.

Highlights of the 21st edition included the American premiere of Anna: The Untold Story, directed by and starring Monica Guerritore (her directorial debut inspired by the myth of Anna Magnani), as well as special screenings of box-office hits: Buen Camino starring Checco Zalone, Oi vita mia directed by and starring Pio e Amedeo, and La vita va così directed by Riccardo Milani.

The program also featured a special screening marking the American debut of Italian showman Renzo Arbore with his Orchestra Italiana thirty years ago at Radio City Music Hall, as well as a tribute to maestro Bernardo Bertolucci on the 50th anniversary of his masterpiece 1900 – Novecento (starring Robert De Niro and Gérard Depardieu).

LA, Italia 2026 closed with Two Billion Hearts, a documentary narrated by Liev Schreiber about the FIFA World Cup, ahead of the 2026 tournament scheduled for June in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

L'articolo LA, ITALIA – FILM, FASHION AND ART FESTIVAL 2026 CELEBRATED 30 YEARS OF RAINBOW IN HOLLYWOOD: TRIBUTE TO THE ITALIAN STUDIO THAT CONQUERED THE WORLD proviene da Los Angeles Film Festival.