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.

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Spanish actress Karla Sofia Gascon, known for her role in Emilia Perez, will be a special guest on Pascal Vicedomini’s late-night show Paradise on Rai2 this Friday, April 11, after midnight (CEST). During the broadcast, Gascon received the Los Angeles Italia award — an award that celebrates her ongoing commitment to international entertainment.

Already recognized for her performance at Cannes and as the first transgender actress nominated for an Oscar in her category, Gascon has also faced controversy over some of her social media messages, which even led to a temporary exclusion from Netflix’s promotional campaign.

Pascal Vicedomini has long built a bridge between global entertainment and Italian cinema—bringing international stars to Italy and showcasing local talent. This episode of Paradise will be a unique opportunity to hear Karla’s unfiltered truths, and it promises more surprises that underline Vicedomini’s innovative approach in connecting cultures.

L'articolo Karla Sofia Gascon in Rome for Paradise | Friday, April 11, After Midnight on Rai2 | Los Angeles Italia Award 2025 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.

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

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Photo: Nicola Corigliano (Intesa Sanpaolo), Raffaella De Laurentiis, Trudie Styler

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LA, Italia Festival, founded and produced by the Institute Capri in the World, this year will hail an all female board of directors: the Chairperson is producer Raffaella De Laurentiis, the President is director Michelle Danner and last but not least, the godmother: actress Emanuela Postacchini, from Marche. LA, Italia Festival aims to promote Italian cinema abroad, thanks to the collaboration with the Mic, the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and international collaboration; with the participation of Intesasanpaolo, Ilbe and the Italian Institute of Culture.

Photo: Trade commissioner Alessandra Rainaldi, director of IIC Emanuela Amendola, Consul General of Italy in Los Angeles Raffaella Valentini, actor Oliver Trevena, actor Billy Zane, Oscar winner screenwriter Nick Vallelonga

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The Los Angeles Italia Film Festival, promoted with the support of MiC and Intesa Sanpaolo, offers 112 screenings (including 65 on eventive.org) and is dedicated to Marcello Mastroianni, Eduardo de Filippo remembered by director Edoardo De Angelis and actress Lina Sastri who will present the world premiere of her first feature film “La casa di Ninetta.” L.A. Italia 2024 enjoys the patronage of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Enterprise and Made in Italy, and Tourism with the participation of the Consulate General of Italy, ICE, and the Italian Cultural Institute.

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