LOS ANGELES, Feb 25 – British actor Ralph Fiennes, Italian Actor Sergio Castellitto and director Edward Berger were feted last night with several LA, Italia Awards for ‘Conclave’ including Best Movie, Best Actor and Best Director of the Year. The ceremony was held at the Hollywood Chinese Theater.
Fiennes, who led Sergio Castellitto and Isabella Rossellini to victory at the SAG Awards last Sunday after winning the BAFTA, expressed all his deep love for Italy and gratitute to Italian cinema workers in Cinecittà’.
“We are delighted to honor a true cinema legend like Ralph Fiennes, who has given extraordinary depth to Cardinal Lawrence in a film that has already become a cult classic in cinema history,” said Pascal Vicedomini, founder and producer of LA, ITALIA. “And even more to express our admiration to a young master of Cinema, such as Edward Berger, and it threw giant of the Italian Cinema, Sergio Castellitto” said Pascal.
The most anticipated Italian-themed event worldwide is promoted with the support of the Ministry of Culture, in collaboration with Intesa Sanpaolo and under the patronage of Maeci, Mimit, and Mit, along with the Italian system on the West Coast (Consulate General, Italian Cultural Institute, Ice, and Enit), with the participation of Scabec, Riflessi – Made in Italy, Givova, Rainbow, Studios, and Adamantis Europe Ltd.
LA, ITALIA 2025 was inaugurated on Sunday by Consul General Raffaella Valentini and Beverly Hills Deputy Mayor Sharona Nazarian, with the U.S. premiere of L’orto americano by Pupi Avati. The event was attended by the Oscar-winning screenwriter Nick Vallelonga, festival presidents Franco Nero and Raffaella De Laurentiis, actors Jack Huston, Frank Grillo, and Joe Cortese, as well as Oscar-winning composer Diane Warren.

(L to R) Director Edward Berger and actor Ralph Fiennes on the set of CONCLAVE, a Focus Features release. Credit: Philippe Antonello/Focus Features ©2024 All Rights Reserved.

L'articolo ‘CONCLAVE’ BEST MOVIE OF THE YEAR AT ‘LA, ITALIA FEST 2025’. RALPH FIENNES, CASTELLITTO AND BERGER FETED AT THE HOLLYWOOD CHINESE THEATER 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 legend of Peppino di Capri and his extraordinary career will shine in Hollywood with the world premiere of the TV movie “Champagne”, directed by Cinzia TH Torrini, set to screen on Sunday, February 23, at the TCL Chinese Theatre. The event is promoted, in collaboration with Rai Fiction, by the Istituto Capri Nel Mondo as part of the 20th Los Angeles, Italia – Film, Fashion and Art Festival, organized with the support of the Italian Ministry of Culture and Intesa Sanpaolo, and under the patronage of Anica, APA, Scabec, and the Sistema Italia on the West Coast (the Consulate General of Italy, the Italian Cultural Institute, ICE, and ENIT).

“We are thrilled to present this film about Peppino di Capri on such a prestigious international stage. We already celebrated him in California in 2012 with an unforgettable night at the Grammys Museum alongside legendary composer Mike Stoller, his wife Corkie Hale, and Elisabetta Canalis,” says Raffaella de Laurentiis, chairperson of Los Angeles, Italia, recalling the strong bond Peppino shared with her father, Dino De Laurentiis, a regular visitor to Capri. Tony Renis, honorary president of the festival running until March 2, adds: “I want to personally thank Maria Pia Ammirati and the producers of O’Groove for giving us the honor of launching this film about the ‘King’ of Capri. My dear friend Peppino has always had a devoted following in America, being one of Italy’s most versatile artists. I am sure that the screening of ‘Champagne’ will be highly appreciated by the large Italian community on the West Coast.”

Directed by Cinzia TH Torrini (‘Beautiful Rebel’ – the TV series on Gianna Nannini), “Champagne” spans four decades, from 1942 to 1973, culminating in Peppino’s first Sanremo victory. The role of Giuseppe Faiella, known as Peppino di Capri, is played by actor and musician Francesco Del Gaudio, who performs and plays the artist’s iconic songs. The TV movie, produced for Rai, is written by Michele Pellegrini and Maria Sole Limodio, based on a story by Pierpaolo Verga and Maria Sole Limodio. The ‘Champagne’ premiere joins an already stellar lineup at LA Italia 2025, featuring Pupi Avati presenting the U.S. premiere of “The American Backyard”, Isabella Rossellini (Oscar nominee for ‘Conclave’), and Sergio Castellitto, co-star of Edward Berger’s ‘Conclave’, nominated for eight Academy Awards. The festival will also welcome many emerging talents from Italian cinema, which continues to evolve and thrive on the global stage.

LA REPUBBLICA

https://search.app/e4NtKFwqMYBBkcw18

IL MESSAGGERO

https://search.app/QP5K45SESov4TW759

ANSA

https://search.app/enRmagDHNVm77qQ86

L'articolo “CHAMPAGNE” WORLD PREMIERE, THE MOST EXPECTED PEPPINO DI CAPRI BIOPIC, TO TAKE PLACE TODAY FEB. 25 AT 8.20pm AS PART OF ‘THE 20TH LOS ANGELES ITALIA FESTIVAL’ proviene da Los Angeles Film Festival.

EDWARD BERGER TO RECEIVE THE ‘LA, ITALIA DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR’ AWARD

LOS ANGELES, February 20 – German director Edward Berger, nominated for 8 Oscars with the film Conclave, following his recent BAFTA win, will receive the “Best Director of 2025” award on Monday, February 24, at the Chinese Theatre in Hollywood during the 20th edition of the Los Angeles, Italia Festival. This traditional Italian event in the USA, held on the eve of the Academy Awards, is promoted with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Intesa Sanpaolo, with the patronage of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Enterprises, the Ministry of Tourism, and the participation of ENIT, Riflessi, Givova, and Scabec.

Actor Sergio Castellitto, who plays the ruthless Cardinal Goffredo Tedesco in Conclave, will present the European director with the award and will, in turn, receive the ‘LA Italia Excellence Award’ from him.

“Honoring Berger and his immense talent, confirmed with Conclave after conquering Hollywood in 2023 with All Quiet on the Western Front,” says Pascal Vicedomini, founder and producer of LA, ITALIA, who adds, “The sensitivity he showed in imagining a behind-the-scenes look at the Vatican, full of surprises, during the election of a new Pope, is deserving of every praise, and we are all certain it will bring him more significant achievements.”

“We are delighted to also honor Sergio Castellitto, a multifaceted and complete talent, a giant of Italian cinema worldwide who has been able to solidify his artistic career in films that are part of cinema history, often portraying characters of great moral, civil, and historical value,” declares Raffaella de Laurentiis, Honorary President of Los Angeles, Italia, who has worked since 2006 to promote Italian talent overseas during the hottest week of the global showbiz scene.

The names of Edward Berger and Sergio Castellitto join the already impressive roster of LA, Italia 2025, which also includes director Pupi Avati, who will present the US premiere of The American Backyard, actress Isabella Rossellini with a retrospective titled “Roberto, Ingrid, and… Isabella: The Beautiful Story of the Rossellinis,” and many other talents of contemporary Italian cinema, presenting 30 films in US premieres.

VARIETY

https://variety.com/2025/film/global/edward-berger-isabella-rossellini-los-angeles-italia-festival-1236314101/

CIAK MAGAZINE

https://www.ciakmagazine.it/news/l-a-italia-il-xx-film-fashion-and-arts-festival-nel-segno-di-berger-avati-e-la-rossellini/

ANSA

https://www.ansa.it/amp/sito/notizie/cultura/cinema/2025/02/20/edward-berger-regista-dellanno-al-festival-los-angeles-italia_51f2f69c-79f6-43da-978f-8b58e646dc7b.html

THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER

https://www.hollywoodreporter.it/film/festival-e-premi/a-edward-berger-il-premio-los-angeles-italia-regista-dellanno/135058/

HOT CORN

https://hotcorn.com/it/film/news/la-italia-excellence-award-los-angeles-italia-festival-edward-berger-conclave-pupi-avati-l-orto-americano-programma-2025/

GAETA.IT

https://www.gaeta.it/edward-berger-e-sergio-castellitto-i-protagonisti-del-cinema-alla-20a-edizione-del-los-angeles-italia-festival

L'articolo ‘CONCLAVE’ DIRECTOR EDWARD BERGER AND CO-STAR SERGIO CASTELLITTO TO BE HONORED AT THE HOLLYWOOD CHINESE 6 THEATRE AFTER THE SPECIAL SCREENING OF THEIR OSCAR®NOMINATED MOVIE proviene da Los Angeles Film Festival.

HERE THE OFFICIAL PROGRAM OF THE 20th LOS ANGELES, ITALIA SCREENINGS

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

L'articolo “LOS ANGELES, ITALIA 2025” – CHECK THE OFFICIAL PROGRAM AND JOIN US. ENTRANCE IS FREE. FIRST COME, FIRST SEATED proviene da Los Angeles Film Festival.

Introducing in US the italian actor Graziano Scarabicchi.

L'articolo LEGENDARY ACTOR FRANCO NERO CELEBRATING THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF L.A. ITALIA FEST PRESENTING THE BOOK DEDICATED TO HIM AND THE SHORT FILM DARKNESS, DIRECTED BY GIULIANO OPPES. 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.

In this ruthless and alien world, Davide must strip away his humanity to survive, following the instructions of Minuto, a jailer and trainer of other men with no hope or future. Yet, as time passes, a hidden bond emerges between the boy and the man—one that may be his only chance at salvation.

But even if escape from this prison is possible, there is no fleeing from fate or the consequences of one’s actions.

L'articolo ALESSANDRO GASSMAN NEW MOVIE ‘BARE HANDS’ TO BE PREMIERE TONIGHT AFTER THE AWARDS’ CEREMONY A STORY OF ATONEMENT THAT CAPTIVATES THE AUDIENCE THROUGH A STRONG SENSE OF STORYTELLING. A FILM BY MAURO MANCINI 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.

LOS ANGELES, Feb 25 – British actor Ralph Fiennes, Italian Actor Sergio Castellitto and director Edward Berger were feted last night with several LA, Italia Awards for ‘Conclave’ including Best Movie, Best Actor and Best Director of the Year. The ceremony was held at the Hollywood Chinese Theater.
Fiennes, who led Sergio Castellitto and Isabella Rossellini to victory at the SAG Awards last Sunday after winning the BAFTA, expressed all his deep love for Italy and gratitute to Italian cinema workers in Cinecittà’.
“We are delighted to honor a true cinema legend like Ralph Fiennes, who has given extraordinary depth to Cardinal Lawrence in a film that has already become a cult classic in cinema history,” said Pascal Vicedomini, founder and producer of LA, ITALIA. “And even more to express our admiration to a young master of Cinema, such as Edward Berger, and it threw giant of the Italian Cinema, Sergio Castellitto” said Pascal.
The most anticipated Italian-themed event worldwide is promoted with the support of the Ministry of Culture, in collaboration with Intesa Sanpaolo and under the patronage of Maeci, Mimit, and Mit, along with the Italian system on the West Coast (Consulate General, Italian Cultural Institute, Ice, and Enit), with the participation of Scabec, Riflessi – Made in Italy, Givova, Rainbow, Studios, and Adamantis Europe Ltd.
LA, ITALIA 2025 was inaugurated on Sunday by Consul General Raffaella Valentini and Beverly Hills Deputy Mayor Sharona Nazarian, with the U.S. premiere of L’orto americano by Pupi Avati. The event was attended by the Oscar-winning screenwriter Nick Vallelonga, festival presidents Franco Nero and Raffaella De Laurentiis, actors Jack Huston, Frank Grillo, and Joe Cortese, as well as Oscar-winning composer Diane Warren.

(L to R) Director Edward Berger and actor Ralph Fiennes on the set of CONCLAVE, a Focus Features release. Credit: Philippe Antonello/Focus Features ©2024 All Rights Reserved.

L'articolo ‘CONCLAVE’ BEST MOVIE OF THE YEAR AT ‘LA, ITALIA FEST 2025’. RALPH FIENNES, CASTELLITTO AND BERGER FETED AT THE HOLLYWOOD CHINESE THEATER proviene da Los Angeles Film Festival.