Los Angeles, Italia 2026 is officially set to return from March 8 to 14, once again bringing the very best of Italian cinema, culture and creativity to the heart of Hollywood. As the festival prepares for a new edition during the peak of Awards Season, the journey of Italian excellence continues to unfold on the global stage, reaffirming Los Angeles, Italia as a unique bridge between Italy and the international entertainment industry.

Filmmakers, artists, talents and audiences from around the world will once again converge to celebrate storytelling, innovation and the timeless power of Italian culture in one of the most iconic cinematic capitals in the world.

With a rich program of screenings, special events and international guests, the 2026 edition promises to be another vibrant chapter in the festival’s growing legacy. From emerging voices to established masters, Los Angeles, Italia remains a privileged showcase for the diversity and vitality of contemporary Italian and international cinema.

For updates, official announcements, guests and exclusive surprises, stay connected through www.losangelesitalia.com and all the festival’s official platforms as the countdown to March 2026 begins.

L'articolo THE 21ST EDITION OF LOS ANGELES, ITALIA 2026 TO TAKE PLACE MARCH 8–14 IN HOLLYWOOD DURING AWARDS SEASON WEEK – SAVE THE DATE! proviene da Los Angeles Film Festival.

LOS ANGELES, August 1st, 2025 – Months after its dazzling 20th edition, Los Angeles, Italia – Film, Fashion and Art Festival continues to resonate as one of the most impactful cultural events of the year. Held in the days leading up to the 2025 Academy Awards, the festival once again turned Hollywood into a stage for Italian cinema, fashion, and music, celebrating the deep and enduring bond between Italy and the United States.

As we move into the second half of 2025 and a new awards season begins to unfold, it’s the perfect moment to look back on the highlights of LA, Italia 2025 — and to start the countdown to Los Angeles, Italia 2026.

A Star-Studded Celebration

The 2025 edition honored outstanding figures in international and Italian cinema with the LA, Italia Excellence Awards, presented to:

• Ralph Fiennes

• Julian Schnabel

• Edward Berger

• Pupi Avati

• Jack Huston

• Diane Warren

• Nick Vallelonga

• Sergio Castellitto

• Antonio Avati

• Mauro Borrelli

• Marco Belardi

• Fabrizio Mancinelli

• Francesco Merola

• Francesca Ceccarelli

One of the most acclaimed films of the year, Conclave by Edward Berger, was awarded Best Movie, with Ralph Fiennes receiving Best Actor and Berger also honored as Best Director. The film’s Italian set decorator Cynthia Sleiter is also an Academy Award nominee, highlighting Italy’s excellence behind the scenes.

Premieres, Tributes, and Cultural Highlights

From the emotional U.S. premiere of “The American Backyard” by Pupi Avati to the world premiere of “Champagne”, the long-awaited Peppino di Capri biopic, the festival offered a rich and diverse program across multiple venues including the TCL Chinese Theatre and the Italian Cultural Institute.

Special screenings included:

• The Return by Uberto Pasolini with Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche

• The Last Supper by Mauro Borrelli, which closed the festival

• The Voice of Naples by Massimo Ferrari, honoring Mario Merola

• The Opera! – Arias for an Eclipse by Davide Livermore and Paolo Gep Cucco

Documentaries, Short Films, and New Voices

The Los Angeles, Italia Special Contest celebrated emerging talent with:

• Best Documentary: Tineret by Nicolò Ballante

• Best Short Film: Figli dell’arroganza by Anteros Marra

Groundbreaking works like I Am Crazy and You? by Dario D’Ambrosi brought together cinema and therapeutic theater, while over 80 screenings gave space to bold Italian and international storytelling.

Italy Shines on the World Stage

LA, Italia 2025 was organized with the support of:

• Italian Ministry of Culture (MiC)

• Intesa Sanpaolo

• ENIT, ICE, Italian Cultural Institute, Consulate General of Italy in LA

• SCABEC, Adamantis Europe Ltd, Givova, Riflessi – Made in Italy

Under the leadership of Pascal Vicedomini and chairperson Raffaella De Laurentiis, the festival welcomed major names including Franco Nero, Nick Vallelonga, Diane Warren, Jack Huston, Frank Grillo, and many others who joined hands in celebrating the global impact of Italian creativity.

Looking Ahead: Los Angeles, Italia 2026

The 20th edition of Los Angeles, Italia was more than a milestone — it was a promise of the future. With its unmatched blend of tradition, innovation, and international flair, the festival set a high bar for what’s to come.

Mark your calendars and stay tuned for Los Angeles, Italia 2026, as the journey continues and Italian excellence once again takes center stage in Hollywood.

Follow updates at www.losangelesitalia.com and on all official social platforms.

The celebration goes on. See you next year.

L'articolo LOS ANGELES, ITALIA 2025: A TRIUMPHANT 20TH EDITION – SEE YOU IN 2026! proviene da Los Angeles Film Festival.

Friday Feb 28th, the Nominee Gala at the Italian Institute of Culture. Expecting the Oscars’ Gala.

American painter and filmmaker Julian Schnabel has been honored with the ‘LA, Italia – Marina Cicogna Award,’ in tribute to the late Oscar-winning producer Marina Cicogna. She was one of the pioneers of the Italian Film Festival on the eve of the Oscars, alongside Lina Wertmüller, Franco Nero, Tony Renis, and festival founder Pascal Vicedomini.

Franco Nero himself will present the award to the extraordinary New York artist (whose latest film In The Hand of Dante is highly anticipated this year) during the classic Nominee Gala on Friday, February 28, at the Italian Cultural Institute. Many other key figures of the Italian showcase in Hollywood (organized by the Capri Institute with MiC and Intesa Sanpaolo, along with Adamantis Europe Ltd, Enit, Scabec, Givova, and Riflessi) will also attend. Among them are Cynthia Sleiter (Academy Award nominee for the production design of Conclave), director Mauro Borrelli (creator of the highly anticipated The Last Supper, which will close the 20th LA, Italia festival on Saturday afternoon), composer Fabrizio Mancinelli (who scored Anuja, nominated for Best Live Action Short Film), and Francesco Merola (representing his late father Mario Merola, beloved by the Italian community on the West Coast). Other honored guests include Sergio Castellitto (awarded on Monday night along with Ralph Fiennes and Conclave director Edward Berger), Oscar winners Mira Sorvino and Nick Vallelonga, and many other festival friends.

Julian Schnabel made his mark in cinema with Before Night Falls, which earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Director. He later directed The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, winning Best Director at Cannes and receiving another Academy Award nomination. His other films include Miral and At Eternity’s Gate about Van Gogh. His latest work, filmed mostly in Italy (Sicily, Rome, Florence, and Venice), features a star-studded cast including Gerard Butler (in two roles), Al Pacino, Jason Momoa, John Malkovich, Gal Gadot, Oscar Isaac, and Martin Scorsese, alongside Franco Nero, Fortunato Cerlino, Sabrina Impacciatore, Lorenzo Zurzolo, and many others. This special film is being sought after by both the Cannes Film Festival and the Venice Film Festival.

L'articolo JULIAN SCHNABEL FETED WITH THE ‘LA, ITALIA – MARINA CICOGNA’ AWARD proviene da Los Angeles Film Festival.

The 20th Annual Los Angeles, Italia Film, Fashion, and Art Festival presents a top-tier program featuring highly acclaimed Italian works alongside the latest projects by emerging directors from the Italian peninsula and renowned Italian actors who have made their mark on major international film sets.

The participation of three absolute Italian icons—master filmmaker Pupi Avati and actors Sergio Castellitto and Isabella Rossellini—along with Oscar-nominated set decorator Cynthia Sleiter, ‘Conclave’ director Edward Berger, and many other outstanding talents from Italy, reaffirms the stature of this event. Over the years, LA, ITALIA FEST has become the most important and eagerly awaited Italian festival worldwide—an ambitious goal we set for ourselves in 2006, alongside legends such as Lina Wertmüller, Marina Cicogna, Franco Nero, and Tony Renis.

The festival’s enormous and well-established success is undeniable, thanks in part to the steadfast support of the Italian Ministry of Culture and Intesa Sanpaolo, who have been by our side since the early editions. Under the patronage of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy, and the Ministry of Tourism.

Equally, we must express our deep gratitude to all the Italian institutions on the West Coast, as well as to ENIT, Scabec, and private sponsors such as Riflessi – Made in Italy, Givova, Adamantis, Scabec, and Rainbow, who have immediately embraced the mission we set forth with our friends and colleagues from the Istituto Capri nel Mondo.

The 20th anniversary of Los Angeles, Italia coincides with the 30th anniversary of our non-profit association and, consequently, of the Capri Hollywood festival—an initiative that has served as Italy’s cultural lighthouse in this ideal bridge between the peninsula and the City of Stars. This model has since inspired many other promotional events that continue to strengthen our movement. In short, 2025 marks a year of celebrations for us—offering a moment of joy in a world that is constantly evolving as part of the natural progression of all civilizations.

And in an increasingly uncertain world, the awareness of being Italian—and therefore of belonging to a people who are loved everywhere—drives us forward with determination to promote culture, tourism, and the excellence of Italian fashion, gastronomy, entertainment, and the arts in general. Our mission, passed down by our ancestors over the centuries, is to continue showcasing the best of Italy to the world.

Being Italian is objectively a privilege. And that privilege—recognized in 2006 by Shaul Kuba and Avi Shemesh when they granted us the honor of hosting our festival at the Chinese Theater—is something we continue to carry forward with great responsibility and immense joy. Each year, we proudly deliver to Italian fans and the Italian community in California a festival that allows them to relive, free of charge, the magic and atmosphere that have made our country legendary.

Once again, thank you to everyone who feels part of this journey and has contributed to turning our dream—Los Angeles, Italia—into the greatest Italian festival worldwide.

Pascal Vicedomini, Founder and Producer LA, ITALIA

Please check the Full Program on:

https://losangelesitalia.com/official-program/

The 20th Annual Event in Los Angeles featuring Italian Motion Pictures, Audiovisuals, Music, Fashion, Tourism, and Food will take place from February 23rd to March 1st, on the eve of the 2024 Academy Awards (March 2nd). The event will highlight Italy’s longstanding cinematic, lifestyle, and artistic legacy and will introduce current Italian productions and excellence to the United States.

Under the auspices of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy, and Ministry of Culture, with the support of the Italian Ministry of Culture, in collaboration with Intesa Sanpaolo and the participation of the Consulate General of Italy in Los Angeles, the Italian Institute of Culture, ICE-Italian Trade Agency, ENIT, and Scabec, ‘LA, ITALIA’ will be held at the prestigious TCL Chinese 6 Theatres and online on Eventive.org.

Special partners: Adamantis, Givova, Riflessi-Made in Italy.

The 2025 Festival, chaired by producer Raffaella De Laurentiis and actor Franco Nero, will honor director Pupi Avati, as well as actor Sergio Castellitto and set decorator Cynthia Sleiter for the 2025 Academy Award-nominated feature movie “Conclave.”

A project by Capri in The World Institute in collaboration with Anica, Apa, as well as Cinecittà, Rai Cinema, Rai Com, Rainbow, Medusa, and Studios International.

Admission to the screenings – both live and online – is free. First come, first seated.

http://www.losangelesitalia.com

L'articolo WELCOME TO ‘LOS ANGELES ITALIA 2025’. CELEBRATING ITALIAN EXCELLENCES AND HOLLYWOOD ICONS SINCE 20 YEARS. proviene da Los Angeles Film Festival.

American painter and filmmaker Julian Schnabel has been honored with the LA, Italia – Marina Cicogna Award, a tribute to the late, Oscar-winning producer Marina Cicogna, one of the true pioneers of the Italian Film Festival on the eve of the Academy Awards, alongside Lina Wertmüller, Franco Nero, Tony Renis and festival founder Pascal Vicedomini.

The award will be presented by Franco Nero himself to the celebrated New York artist — whose highly anticipated new film In the Hand of Dante is set for release this year — during the traditional Nominee Gala on Friday, February 28, at the Italian Cultural Institute in Los Angeles. The evening will also bring together many of the key figures of the Italian showcase in Hollywood, organized by the Capri Institute with the support of MiC and Intesa Sanpaolo, alongside Adamantis Europe Ltd, ENIT, Scabec, Givova and Riflessi.

Among the distinguished guests will be Cynthia Sleiter, Academy Award nominee for the production design of Conclave; director Mauro Borrelli, whose eagerly awaited film The Last Supper will close the 20th edition of LA, Italia on Saturday afternoon; composer Fabrizio Mancinelli, who scored Anuja, nominated for Best Live Action Short Film; and Francesco Merola, representing his late father Mario Merola, a beloved icon of the Italian community on the U.S. West Coast. Also in attendance will be Sergio Castellitto, recently honored alongside Ralph Fiennes and Conclave director Edward Berger, as well as Academy Award winners Mira Sorvino and Nick Vallelonga, together with many long-time friends of the festival.

Schnabel made his mark as a filmmaker with Before Night Falls, which earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Director, before going on to direct The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, winning Best Director at Cannes and receiving another Oscar nomination. His acclaimed filmography also includes Miral and At Eternity’s Gate, dedicated to Vincent van Gogh.

His latest work, filmed largely in Italy between Sicily, Rome, Florence and Venice, boasts an extraordinary international cast including Gerard Butler (in a dual role), Al Pacino, Jason Momoa, John Malkovich, Gal Gadot, Oscar Isaac and Martin Scorsese, alongside Franco Nero, Fortunato Cerlino, Sabrina Impacciatore, Lorenzo Zurzolo and many others. The film is already being closely courted by both the Cannes Film Festival and the Venice Film Festival, confirming its status as one of the most eagerly awaited titles of the year.

L'articolo JULIAN SCHNABEL FETED WITH THE ‘LA, ITALIA – MARINA CICOGNA’ AWARD proviene da Los Angeles Film Festival.

Pinocchio arriva a Hollywood: il 18 aprile il film di Matteo Garrone protagonisti Federico Ielapi e Roberto Benigni aprirà il 16.mo Los Angeles Italia Festival promosso con il MiC e Intesa Sanpaolo, al Chinese Theatre. ”Un evento dal forte valore simbolico – sottolinea Marina Cicogna del board dell’Istituto Capri nel mondo – portare questa universale favola italiana magistralmente raccontata da Garrone, nel cinema più celebre, a pochi giorni dalla riapertura e alla vigilia degli Oscar per i quali concorre, ci riempie di orgoglio”.

Tutti a Hollywood sanno chi è Benigni, già entrato nella storia dell’Academy, ora sarà il bravissimo Federico Ielapi a far innamorare gli americani . Così come conquisterà tutti la creatività italiana dei candidati agli Oscar Massimo Cantini Parrini per i costumi e Mark Coulier, Dalia Colli e Francesco Pegoretti, per make up, trucco e acconciature, autentici artisti. E ricordiamo che a Hollywood la magia di Pinocchio è più viva che mai: la Walt Disney Pictures come è noto partirà con la lavorazione dell’annunciato remake in live action con Tom Hanks nella parte di Geppetto”. La cultura italiana sarà protagonista a Los Angeles non solo con Pinocchio: in programma focus sulle celebrazioni dei 700 anni dalla morte di Dante Alighieri con Pupi Avati, che sta lavorando a un film sul sommo poeta, e Luca Sommi e anche su Caravaggio, con Vittorio Sgarbi e Michele Placido. Il festival organizzato dall’Istituto Capri nel mondo è promosso col patrocinio del Ministero degli Esteri e la partecipazione di Rai Cinema, Rai Com, Rainbow, Minerva Pictures, Iervolino Entertainment, Isaia, Anica, Apa, Consolato Generale d’Italia a L.A., Ice e l’Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Los Angeles.

L'articolo GARRONE’S ‘PINOCCHIO’ CONQUERED HOLLYWOOD. FILM OPENED LA, ITALIA 2021 ON APRIL 18th AT THE TCL 6 CHINESE THEATRES AND RECEIVED 2021 “LA, ITALIA – BEST ITALIAN MOVIE OF THE YEAR”. LOOKING FORWARD TO THE 16th ANNUAL FESTIVAL, APRIL 18 – 24, 2021 proviene da Los Angeles Film Festival.