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.

The program of the Los Angeles, Italia – Film, Fashion and Art Festival 2026 included the U.S. premiere of “Anna: The Untold Story,” directed by and starring Monica Guerritore, special screenings of the Italian box-office hit “Buen Camino” starring Checco Zalone, alongside “Oi vita mia” by Pio and Amedeo and “La vita va così” by Riccardo Milani. The festival also featured a special presentation dedicated to Renzo Arbore and his Orchestra Italiana, recalling their historic concert at Radio City Music Hall (1993), a tribute to legendary musician and producer Tony Renis, and a celebration of Bernardo Bertolucci on the 50th anniversary of his epic masterpiece “1900 (Novecento)”, starring Robert De Niro and Gérard Depardieu.

Cinema, science and haute Italian cuisine converged in Hollywood in celebration of the Mediterranean lifestyle and quality living. Los Angeles, Italia Festival hosted a special evening honoring Edward Norton, who headlined the screening of the documentary “Fasting and the Longevity Revolution” on Wednesday, March 11 at the TCL Chinese Theatres in Hollywood.

The event was organized with the support of ICE – Italian Trade Agency, following the recognition of Italian cuisine as an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO, reaffirming the cultural and identity value of Italy’s gastronomic tradition.

Norton, narrator of the film, received a festival award and was joined on stage by director Barry Alexander Brown, Professor Valter Longo — one of the world’s leading experts on nutrition and longevity — and producer Chiara Tilesi for a discussion with audiences and press focused on prevention, the Mediterranean diet, and the relationship between mindful nutrition and quality of life.

Directed by Barry Alexander Brown and produced by Chiara Tilesi, the documentary explores Professor Longo’s research on controlled fasting and nutrition, weaving together scientific evidence, case studies and testimonies from long-living communities around the world, offering an innovative perspective on health and longevity.

LA, Italia 2026 also celebrated the 30th anniversary of Rainbow Studio, featured special screenings of the series “Sandokan: The Pirate Prince,” “Guerrieri,” “Battiato,” and “Rosso Volante,” and concluded with “Two Billion Hearts,” the documentary narrated by Liev Schreiber about the FIFA World Cup, ahead of the 2026 tournament set to take place across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

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.

The full program is available at www.losangelesitalia.com.

L'articolo LA, ITALIA – FILM, FASHION AND ART FESTIVAL 2026 HONORED EDWARD NORTON AND DR. VALTER LONGO IN HOLLYWOOD, CELEBRATING THE ITALIAN QUALITY OF LIFE proviene da Los Angeles Film Festival.

L'articolo HOLLYWOOD CELEBRATED ANNA MAGNANI: MONICA GUERRITORE’S “ANNA” PRESENTED BY TAYLOR HACKFORD AT THE OPENING NIGHT OF LA, ITALIA 2026 proviene da Los Angeles Film Festival.

L'articolo ITALIAN-AMERICAN ICON AND ACADEMY AWARD–WINNING ACTRESS MIRA SORVINO JOINED THE VICE PRESIDENT OF ICNM RICCARDO MONTI DURING THE ITALIAN CINEMA CELEBRATION IN LOS ANGELES proviene da Los Angeles Film Festival.

The 21st annual Los Angeles, Italia – Film, Fashion and Art Festival has successfully concluded in Hollywood, marking once again a vibrant week dedicated to Italian culture — cinema, music, fashion and art — celebrated on the eve of the Academy Awards, reaffirming the enduring creative bond between Italy and California.

Twenty years ago, together with my fellow board members of the Istituto Capri nel Mondo, we conceived an idea: to build a cultural bridge connecting Italian cinema and music to Los Angeles — two worlds that have long admired and inspired one another.

That vision soon found fertile ground. I still remember presenting the concept of an Italian festival in Los Angeles to Shaul Kuba, Avi Shemesh and Richard Ressler — the Principals of CIM Group, owners of the Chinese Theatre and the former Kodak Theatre, now the Dolby Theatre. Their response was immediate and enthusiastic, reflecting the extraordinary admiration that Italy and its cultural legacy enjoy around the world, and especially in America.

Two decades later, in a profoundly transformed global landscape — and with many great figures no longer with us, beginning with two of my guiding muses, director Lina Wertmüller and producer Marina Cicogna — Los Angeles, Italia – Film, Fashion and Art Festival continues to stand as a key cultural event in the international calendar leading up to the Academy Awards.

This year’s edition once again confirmed the vitality and global relevance of the festival — an initiative developed with the invaluable contribution of two distinguished members of our Honorary Board: music legend Tony Renis and iconic actor Franco Nero.

For an entire week, Hollywood became a meeting point for artists, filmmakers, musicians, producers and cultural leaders, celebrating the excellence of Italian creativity and its dynamic dialogue with the global entertainment industry.

An extraordinary lineup of Italian and international talent, together with a rich program of screenings, concerts, conversations and special events, once again reinforced the festival’s reputation as one of the most meaningful cultural gatherings preceding Oscar night.

Opening the week that culminates with the Academy Awards is both an honor and an ever-growing responsibility. Expectations within the international industry are well established, and we embrace this role with dedication and gratitude, aware that we represent a country admired around the world — a country that has always championed art, culture, solidarity and peace.

The historical moment we are living through remains complex and often painful. Conflicts across the globe disturb the lives of innocent people and challenge the creative freedom of many artists. Even those far from the front lines feel the emotional weight of these realities through the stories that reach us every day.

Yet cinema, music and the arts remain powerful forces of inspiration. They help us reflect, connect and continue dreaming together. In times like these, the ability to imagine and create becomes even more meaningful.

Through Los Angeles, Italia, our mission remains clear: to showcase the finest artistic and cultural expression of Italy — projected toward the future while deeply rooted in the extraordinary legacy of the artists who helped shape the global image of our country and left an indelible mark on Hollywood itself.

This successful edition once again demonstrated how culture can bring people together, creating moments of dialogue, celebration and shared emotion for the Los Angeles audience and for the international community gathered here.

The festival proudly continues its mission under the leadership of Chairperson Raffaella De Laurentiis and President Filippo Puglisi-Alibrandi, whose vision and dedication play a vital role in strengthening the cultural bridge between Italy and the United States.

We are deeply grateful to the institutions whose concrete support makes this initiative possible: the Italian Ministry of Culture, the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Italian Ministry of Industry, the Italian Trade Commission, the Italian Institute of Culture, and the Consulate General of Italy in Los Angeles.

Our sincere thanks also go to the sponsors whose commitment supports the festival and its cultural mission: Intesa Sanpaolo, KPMG and Rainbow.

A special acknowledgment goes to Artistic Director Antonella Cocco for her invaluable dedication and contribution to the success of this edition.

We also extend our heartfelt thanks to Edward Norton and Sasha Brown; Professor Valter Longo; producer Chiara Tilesi; music producer Ray Costa; top manager Rick Nicita (Jack Valenti Award 2026); Academy Award–winning director Taylor Hackford and Academy Award–winning actress Mira Sorvino; directors Catherine Hardwicke, Monica Guerritore, Antonio Silvestre and Davide Barbiero; actors Damián Bichir, Gilles Rocca, Beatrice Grannò, Madalina Ghenea, Antonella Salvucci, Cocky Ricciolino and Robert Madison; and the 2026 Mistress of Ceremony, Etoile Amanda Victoria Aletta, and to all the other artists, partners, institutions and friends who made this week in Hollywood a true celebration of Italian creativity.

Faith and hope encourage us to look forward with confidence. Each of us must continue striving — with respect for others, for intelligence and diversity — so that these values may converge into a shared path of mutual understanding.

And thank you to the audience for embracing once again the very best of today’s Italian and international artistic production — inspired by Italy and by the extraordinary Italians who helped build the enduring myth of our country.

Pascal Vicedomini
Founder and Producer
Los Angeles, Italia – Film, Fashion and Art Festival

L'articolo WELCOME TO THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF LOS ANGELES, ITALIA – FILM, FASHION AND ART FESTIVAL: A GREAT SUCCESS FOR THE 21ST EDITION OF LOS ANGELES, ITALIA 2026 proviene da Los Angeles Film Festival.

LOS ANGELES – Oscar nominee Mark Sonnenblick appeared in Los Angeles together with producer and talent manager Ray Costa during the 21st edition of LA, Italia – Film, Fashion and Art Festival, bringing Hollywood’s awards-season excitement to the Italian cultural showcase held in the days leading up to the Academy Awards.

Sonnenblick, winner at the 2026 Academy Awards for Best Original Song, has emerged as one of the most interesting voices among the new generation of composers and songwriters working between cinema and the global music industry. His work has gained international recognition for its emotional storytelling and its ability to bridge contemporary music with cinematic narrative.

At LA, Italia 2026, Sonnenblick’s presence alongside Ray Costa, a long-time figure in the entertainment industry and founder of Costa Communications, highlighted the festival’s ongoing dialogue between Hollywood and Italian cultural initiatives in the United States.

“Having artists and creators who are part of the Oscar conversation each year reflects the international dimension of our event,” said Pascal Vicedomini, founder and producer of the festival. “LA, Italia continues to be a meeting point where cinema, music and creativity from different cultures come together in Los Angeles during the most important week for the film industry.”

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 2026 ACADEMY AWARD WINNER MARK SONNENBLICK WITH RAY COSTA IN LOS ANGELES: MUSIC AND CINEMA MEET AT LA, ITALIA 2026 proviene da Los Angeles Film Festival.

LOS ANGELES – Gilles Rocca arrived in Los Angeles for the 21st edition of Los Angeles, Italia – Film, Fashion and Art Festival to present “The Last Match,” the film directed by Antonio Silvestre, offering international audiences an original and deeply realistic story set in the world of boxing.

The film follows the journey of a fighter confronting the most decisive moment of his career, both inside and outside the ring. Through an intense and emotional narrative, “The Last Match” explores themes of determination, sacrifice and personal redemption, portraying the human dimension behind the sport.

During Los Angeles, Italia 2026, Rocca presented the film alongside director Antonio Silvestre, introducing the project to audiences in Los Angeles as part of the festival program dedicated to contemporary Italian cinema. The work stands out for its grounded tone and its attempt to depict the reality of professional boxing without stereotypes, focusing instead on the personal battles and fragile ambitions of its protagonist.

Held every year in Los Angeles in the days leading up to the Academy Awards, Los Angeles, Italia – Film, Fashion and Art Festival continues to showcase Italian cinema and creative talent on the international stage, bringing filmmakers, actors and producers to the heart of Hollywood during the most important week for the global film industry.

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 ITALIAN ACTOR GILLES ROCCA BRINGS “THE LAST MATCH” TO LOS ANGELES, ITALIA 2026 WITH DIRECTOR ANTONIO SILVESTRE — AN ORIGINAL AND REALISTIC STORY SET IN THE WORLD OF BOXING proviene da Los Angeles Film Festival.

LOS ANGELES — From the red carpet at the TCL Chinese Theatre to the screenings, premieres and special events that animated Hollywood during the week leading up to the Academy Awards, the 21st edition of LA, Italia – Film, Fashion and Art Festival brought together filmmakers, actors, artists and international guests celebrating Italian excellence in cinema, culture and entertainment.

Now you can relive the most exciting moments of the festival — the premieres, tributes, special guests and unforgettable encounters — through the official photo gallery of LA, Italia 2026.

Click to explore the full gallery and discover the images from this year’s edition.

L'articolo DISCOVER THE OFFICIAL PHOTO GALLERY OF LA, ITALIA 2026 — A WEEK OF STARS, CINEMA AND ITALIAN EXCELLENCE 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.