ROME, FEB. 12 – The special screening of “Novecento” (1900), the masterpiece by Bernardo Bertolucci, marking the 50th anniversary of its release, was among the central events of the 21st edition of Los Angeles, Italia (March 8–14 at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood), chaired by Filippo Puglisi Alibrandi with Raffaella De Laurentiis serving as Chairperson. The festival, a traditional Italian showcase held on the eve of the Academy Awards (March 15), was promoted with the support of the Italian Ministry of Culture, under the patronage of MAECI, MIMIT, and MIT, and with the participation of Intesa Sanpaolo, Rainbow, and Givova.

“A well-deserved tribute to a filmmaker who shaped world cinema,” said Pascal Vicedomini, founder and producer of the festival. “With Novecento, released in 1976, Bertolucci created an epic and political work spanning half a century of Italian history through the parallel lives of two men, portrayed by Robert De Niro and Gérard Depardieu, alongside an international cast including Burt Lancaster, Donald Sutherland, Stefania Sandrelli, and Dominique Sanda.”

The celebration renewed the bond between the festival and the Parma-born director. At Vicedomini’s initiative, Bertolucci was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2008, a recognition he was able to receive in person only in 2013 due to the health issues that had limited his travels in his later years.

The tribute at LA, Italia 2026 also featured the screening of a documentary dedicated to the Maestro, directed by journalist Marco Spagnoli, retracing his artistic journey and cultural legacy.

Among the special events already announced: a tribute to Anna Magnani with the film by Monica Guerritore, who received the Italian Excellence Award; a tribute to Tony Renis with the RAI documentary dedicated to him and the exhibition by B. Zarro; and the screening of the year’s three box-office champions: “Buen Camino” by Gennaro Nunziante starring Checco Zalone, “Oi vita mia” by Pio e Amedeo, and “La vita va così” by Riccardo Milani.