The Lavazza Italian Film Festival screens in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Hobart and Byron Bay from 17 September.

The OPENING NIGHT selection, THE CHAMPION (Il campione) is a beautifully balanced blend of the spectacular and the intimate. This stunning debut starring Stefano Accorsi (Italian Race, LIFF16) delivers a moral lesson that is both identifiable and strikingly moving. Set in the glossy world of professional, millionaire footballers and featuring an extraordinary Andrea Carpenzano (Boys Cry LIFF18), The Champion is a story of friendship and learning who to trust.

The 20th edition of the festival will feature two SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS: from the director of Indivisible, Edoardo De Angelis’ powerful and award-winning new film THE VICE OF HOPE (Il vizio della speranza) stars Pina Turco (Gomorrah TV series) as a woman striving to escape a life of vice and criminality, De Angelis masterfully creates another gritty tale from the Camorra-infested northern Neapolitan neighbourhood made famous by Dogman; and following last year’s presentation of the international theatrical cut of LORO, this year audiences have the opportunity to see the director’s cut of one of the most-talked-about opening night films in the festival’s 20-year history.

The festival is excited to host the WORLD PREMIERE of PROMISED with red carpet screenings in Melbourne and Sydney, and a Special Event screening in Brisbane. Directed by Nick Conidi and featuring a stellar Italian-Australian cast, including Daniel Berini, Antoniette Iesue, Paul Mercurio and Tina Arena, this is a romantic drama that is certain to hit home.

The CLOSING NIGHT selection is the Australian premiere of Ron Howard’s highly anticipated biopic PAVAROTTI. Howard’s access-all-areas documentary looks back at the life, relationships and the remarkable performing career of the world’s most famous tenor who became an international superstar, from the early 1960s until his death.

A programme of Italy’s best contemporary films will feature in the NEW ITALIAN CINEMA section:

Valeria Bruni Tedeschi (Like Crazy) and Marcello Fonte (Dogman, LIFF18) star in the affecting drama ASPROMONTE – LAND OF THE FORGOTTEN (Aspromonte, la terra degli ultimi), about a neglected village and the townspeople’s fight to build a connecting road to the neighbouring town.

Winner of the Berlin Film Festival FIPRESCI prize, DAFNE is a poignant drama about a family struck by a tragedy, anchored by a breakout performance from Carolina Raspanti.

A teenage boy’s dreams of soccer stardom are threatened by a chaotic home life in IF LIFE GIVES YOU LEMONS (Un giorno all’improvviso), an achingly naturalistic portrait of a young man striving to succeed in the face of overwhelming odds.

Direct from its Locarno Film Festival premiere, Ginevra Elkann’s Italo-French comic drama IF ONLY (Magari) is a gentle and honest exploration of a broken family, that boasts an ensemble cast including Alba Rohrwacher and Riccardo Scamarcio.

From director Andrea Zaccariello comes the super stylish and absorbing murder mystery I’M NOT A KILLER (Non sono un assassino) in which Italian cinema heavyweight Riccardo Scamarcio stars alongside Alessio Boni (The Tourist, 2010) and Edoardo Pesce (Dogman, LIFF18).

What happens when a 23-year-old runs for mayor in one of the biggest cities of Southern Italy and records his entire campaign with a hidden camera? Find out in THE MAYOR: ITALIAN POLITICS 4 DUMMIES (Il Sindaco: Italian Politics 4 Dummies).

MY OWN GOOD (Il bene mio) is a poignant drama, warmly received at the Venice Film Festival, in which Sergio Rubini plays the last remaining inhabitant of an Italian ghost town that has been destroyed by a devastating earthquake.

Based on the bestselling graphic novel Zerocalcare, THE ARMADILLO’S PROPHECY (La profezia dell’armadillo), a melancholy comedy, cleverly embodies a generation faced with uncertainty through its depiction of a young man’s friendship with an imaginary armadillo.

Sergio Rubini directs and stars THE GREAT SPIRIT (Il grande spirito), an offbeat Taranto-set dramedy including southern favourite Rocco Papaleo (Basilicata Coast to Coast, LIFF14), as two men whose unexpected run-in results in the unlikeliest of friendships.

Director Stefano Mordini’s taut thriller THE INVISIBLE WITNESS (Il testimone invisible) sees a slick businessman (Riccardo Scamarcio) employ an undefeated veteran attorney to prove his innocence after he wakes up next to his murdered mistress (Miram Leone).

Marco Giallini and Valerio Mastandrea star in TOMORROW’S A NEW DAY (Domani è un altro giorno) – an exceptional remake of the award-winning Spanish-Argentinian favourite Truman, which follows a bittersweet reunion of two friends as they wander the streets of Rome to examine their lives and ponder the future.

And TWIN FLOWER (Fiore Gemello), a nuanced and profound drama set against the beautiful Sardinian landscape is an exploration of companionship, lost innocence, and shared destiny as two troubled teenagers journey towards a new life.

In the festival’s funniest section, see new hilarious box office hits in COMEDY, ITALIAN-STYLE!

Italian comedy royalty reunites in Alessandro Genovesi’s hilarious new comedy 10 DAYS WITHOUT MAMMA (10 giorni senza la mamma) about a father (Fabio de Luigi) left in charge of his three children while mum goes away on holiday.

A stunning Mediterranean backdrop and an all-star cast including Alessandro Gasmann and Fabrizio Bentivoglio feature in AN ALMOST ORDINARY SUMMER (Croce e delizia) a delightful comedy about two very different families who discover that they have been brought together for a chaotic seaside holiday to celebrate a surprise wedding – between their patriarchs.

Winner of Best Comedy Film at the Nastri d’Argento Awards 2019, BANGLA, is a romantic comedy with a huge heart. Director Phaim Bhuiyan’s debut is a fresh and spirited portrait of the complications of young love caught between very different beliefs. With a script based on the director’s own experiences and a central character played by the director himself this is a witty cross-cultural rom-com set in Rome.

In DON’T STOP ME NOW (Ma cosa ci dice il cervello) dynamic duo Paola Cortellesi and her husband, director Riccardo Milani, team up to deliver this Bond-style comedy in which an international spy sets out save her friends from their boring lives.

LET ME INTRODUCE YOU TO SOFIA (Ti presento Sofia) sees a frazzled father in hot water as he tries to hide his daughter from his new girlfriend in this hilarious comedy-of-errors starring Fabio De Luigi and Micaela Ramazzotti.

A humorous contemplation on life, ORDINARY HAPPINESS (Momenti di trascurabile felicità) sees director Daniele Luchetti (Those Happy Years, LIFF17) transform the short stories of Francesco Piccolo into a charming metaphysical comedy starring Pierfrancesco “Pif” Diliberto (The Mafia Kills Only in Summer, LIFF14).

And in WELCOME BACK MR. PRESIDENT (Bentornato Presidente), Peppino (Claudio Bisio) must return to Rome to win back his love and defeat a plot that could ruin Italy in the sequel to 2013’s box-office smash hit Welcome, Mr President.

Our schools’ session and family film – THE LEGEND OF THE CHRISTMAS WITCH (La Befana vien di notte) is an Italian fable, with a feminist twist. Paola Cortellesi plays a famous character, La Befana, in this Italian box office hit that is pure fun for the whole family.

This year, the festival spotlights the greatest artists of Italian history with FILMS ON ART: THE ITALIAN MASTERS, including: MICHELANGELO – ENDLESS (Michelangelo – Infinito), about the life and works of the incomparable genius Michelangelo Buonarroti, played by Enrico Lo Verso; and AMAZING LEONARDO (Io, Leonardo), directed by Mexican helmer Jesus Garces Lambert, the high-end biopic marks the 500th anniversary of Leonardo da Vinci’s death and stars Italian A-lister Luca Argentero (Eat Pray Love) as the artist, scientist and inventor.

Rounding out the 20th edition of the festival are two retrospectives: following the passing of Bernardo Bertolucci last November, the festival will screen two highlights from his expansive filmography – 1900 (Novecento), the 1976 historical drama featuring an international ensemble cast including Robert De Niro, Gérard Depardieu, Dominique Sanda and Donald Sutherland. The five-hour epic will screen with an intermission. Also, Bertolucci’s political thriller THE CONFORMIST (Il conformista) the visually intoxicating adaptation of Alberto Moravia’s novel returns to the big screen in a restoration supervised by cinematographer Vittorio Storaro.

20 ANNI FA is a retrospective selection showcasing three of our favourite films from the festival’s 20-year history: a beautifully restored version of Marco Tullio Giordana’s acclaimed drama ONE HUNDRED STEPS (I cento passi) sees Luigi Lo Cascio in his breakthrough performance as an outspoken young man whose rebellion against the Sicilian mafia rocks his town’s stifling tradition of silence; Gabriele Muccino’s award-winning romantic drama THE LAST KISS (L’ultimo bacio) is as relevant today as upon its release in 2001, showing a perspective of love in its darkest shades; and THE CONSEQUENCES OF LOVE (Le conseguenze dell’amore), Paolo Sorrentino’s acclaimed psychological thriller.

The 20th Lavazza Italian Film Festival presented by Palace screens in the following locations:

Sydney: 17 Sept – 16 Oct, Palace Norton Street, Palace Verona, Chauvel Cinemas, Palace Central
Melbourne: 19 Sept – 16 Oct, Palace Cinema Como, Palace Westgarth, Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, Kino Cinemas, The Astor Theatre
Canberra: 24 Sept – 16 Oct, Palace Electric Cinema
Brisbane: 25 Sept – 16 Oct, Palace Barracks and Palace James Street
Adelaide: 1 Oct – 23 Oct, Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas and Palace Nova Prospect Cinemas
Perth: 2 Oct – 23 Oct, Palace Cinema Paradiso and Luna on SX
Hobart: 17 Oct – 23 Oct, The State Cinema
Byron Bay: 26 Sept – 13 Oct, Palace Byron Bay

TICKETS NOW ON SALE! For more information visit: www.italianfilmfestival.com.au

In a dilapidated Neapolitan suburb, the pint-sized, mild-mannered Marcello (Marcello Fonte) runs the dog-grooming business of the film’s title, caring for the neighbourhood pooches, and raising his young daughter, Alida, for whom he’d do anything to spoil. But he’s domineered by one of his customers, Simone (Edoardo Pesce), a petty criminal and former boxer who throws his substantial bulk around this tight-knit community at every opportunity. Marcello soon becomes swept up in a criminal plan he wants nothing to do with…

Meticulously directed and photographed, and entirely sympathetic to its four-legged cast-members (none of who are harmed), Garrone’s bravura urban noir is also impeccably acted, with Marcello Fonte’s extraordinary performance highly deserving of the Best Actor prizes at both Cannes and the European Film Awards. Inspired by a true story that drew national headlines, and gripping from start to finish, it’s another electrifying big-screen experience from one of Italy’s finest contemporary filmmakers.

Dogman will be released in Australian cinemas August 29!
www.palacefilms.com.au

The 20th edition of the festival will showcase 26 of the best new Italian films from the last year as well as classic cinematic gems, Special Presentations, aperitivo nights, receptions and galas across screens in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Hobart and Byron Bay from 17 September.

Festival Director Elysia Zeccola said, “For 20 years we have shared our love of cinema and Italian culture striving to present the best new films from Italy for film-lovers and Italophiles around the country. The best critically acclaimed and award-winning films share the spotlight with the biggest box office hits, creating an entertaining programme for audiences young and old.”

The first highlights offer a glimpse into the programme which celebrates Italian cinema, filmmakers and personalities at their very best:

The Australian premiere of Ron Howard’s highly anticipated biopic PAVAROTTI will close the festival nationally. Howard’s access-all-areas documentary looks back at the life, relationships and the remarkable performing career of the world’s most famous tenor who became an international superstar, from the early 1960s until his death.

Following his acclaimed drama Indivisible, director Edoardo De Angelis’ powerful and award-winning new film THE VICE OF HOPE (Il vizio della speranza) has been revealed this year’s Special Presentation selection. Starring Pina Turco (Gomorrah series) as a woman desperately striving to escape a life of vice and criminality, De Angelis’ masterfully creates another gritty tale from the Camorra-infested northern Neapolitan neighbourhood made famous by Dogman.

Italy’s best contemporary thrillers, dramas and a documentary will feature in the New Italian Cinema section featuring a star-studded who’s who of Italian talent:

Director Stefano Mordi’s taut thriller THE INVISIBLE WITNESS (Il testimone invisible) sees a slick businessman (Riccardo Scamarcio) employ an undefeated veteran attorney to prove his innocence after he wakes up next to his murdered mistress.

Marco Giallini and Valerio Mastandrea star in TOMORROW’S A NEW DAY (Domani è un altro giorno) – an exceptional remake of the award-winning Spanish-Argentinian favourite Truman, which follows a bittersweet reunion of two friends as they wander the streets of Rome to examine their lives and ponder the future.

From director Andrea Zaccariello comes the super stylish and absorbing murder mystery I’M NOT A KILLER (Non sono un assassino). Again, we see Italian cinema heavyweight Riccardo Scamarcio star alongside Alessio Boni (The Tourist, 2010) and Edoardo Pesce (Dogman, LIFF18).

Now, there wouldn’t be an Italian Film Festival without Comedy, Italian-Style! And these box office hits, won’t disappoint:

Winner of Best Comedy Film at the Nastri d’Argento Awards 2019, BANGLA, is a romantic comedy with a huge heart. Director Phaim Bhuiyan’s debut is a fresh and spirited portrait of the complications of young love caught between very different beliefs. With a script based on the director’s own experiences and a central character played by the director himself this is a cross-cultural rom-com set in Rome.

In LET ME INTRODUCE YOU TO SOFIA (Ti presento Sofia) a frazzled father finds himself in hot water as he tries to hide his daughter from his new girlfriend in this hilarious comedy-of-errors starring Fabio De Luigi and Micaela Ramazzotti.

ORDINARY HAPPINESS (Momenti di trascurabile felicità) is a humorous contemplation on life, in which director Daniele Luchetti (Those Happy Years) transforms the short stories of Francesco Piccolo into a charming metaphysical comedy starring Pierfrancesco “Pif” Diliberto (The Mafia Kills Only in Summer).

This year, the festival spotlights the greatest artists of Italian history with Films on Art: The Italian Masters, including: MICHELANGELO – ENDLESS, about the life and works of the incomparable genius Michelangelo Buonarroti, played by Enrico Lo Verso; and AMAZING LEONARDO, directed by Mexican helmer Jesus Garces Lambert, the high-end biopic marks the 500thanniversary of Leonardo da Vinci’s death. The film stars Italian A-lister Luca Argentero (Eat Pray Love) as the artist, scientist and inventor.

And what more could a 20th festival edition be punctuated with other than a tribute to the great Bernardo Bertolucci following his passing last November. The Retrospective includes 1900(Novecento), the 1976 historical drama featuring an international ensemble cast including Robert De Niro, Gérard Depardieu, Dominique Sanda and Donald Sutherland. The five-hour epic will screen with an intermission. The programme also showcases Bertolucci’s political thriller THE CONFORMIST (Il conformista) the visually intoxicating adaptation of Alberto Moravia’s novel about an upper-class follower of Mussolini which returns to the big screen in a restoration supervised by cinematographer Vittorio Storaro.

The Lavazza Italian Film Festival presented by Palace screens in the following locations:
Sydney: 17 Sept – 16 Oct, Palace Norton Street, Palace Verona, Chauvel Cinemas, Palace Central
Melbourne: 19 Sept – 16 Oct, Palace Cinema Como, Palace Westgarth, Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, Kino Cinemas, The Astor Theatre
Canberra: 24 Sept – 16 Oct, Palace Electric Cinemas
Brisbane: 25 Sept – 16 Oct, Palace Barracks and Palace James Street
Adelaide: 1 Oct – 23 Oct, Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas and Palace Nova Prospect Cinemas
Perth: 2 Oct – 16 Oct, Palace Cinema Paradiso and Luna on SX
Hobart: 17 Oct – 23 Oct, The State Cinema
Byron Bay: 26 Sept – 13 Oct, Palace Byron Bay

The full programme will be announced in August.
www.italianfilmfestival.com.au

The 19th Lavazza Italian Film Festival screens around the country this September exclusively at Palace Cinemas. With over 30 of the latest and greatest from Italy’s best filmmakers, there is no shortage of Italian passion, drama, romance and style for film lovers to enjoy!

Sitting at the heart of the program are our SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS which include: The 2018 winner of Best Original Screenplay at Cannes Film Festival, HAPPY AS LAZZARO, Alice Rohrwacher’s (The Wonders LIFF14) enchanting third film; and from Matteo Garrone, the director of Gomorrah comes DOGMAN – the Cannes Film Festival award-winning tale of a dog-lover in desolate Southern Italy who is driven to terrifying extremes by a violent local bully.

Strong dramas are aplenty with films from much-loved directors featuring famous faces straight from the international circuit. Actress and director Valeria Golino (Rain Man), returns with EUPHORIA, a riveting drama about two brothers forced back into each other’s lives, starring Riccardo Scamarcio (Dalida LIFF17) and Valerio Mastandrea (Perfect Strangers LIFF16 Opening Night). Acclaimed crime-drama BOYS CRY in which two boys who have always existed on the fringes of Rome’s underworld are suddenly pulled into it, is directed by the D’Innocenzo Brothers and co-stars Luca Zingaretti (LIFF guest 2016) as the mafia boss. THE GIRL IN THE FOG, based on the eponymous bestselling novel, is a gripping thriller set amid a close-knit mountain village which follows the enigmatic Detective Vogel (Toni Servillo, Let Yourself Go! LIFF17 Opening Night) as he investigates the sudden disappearance of a young girl.  And a huge hit in Italy, singer Luciano Ligabue’s multi award-winning dramedy based on his album of the same name, MADE IN ITALY, stars Stefano Accorsi (Italian Race LIFF16) and Kasia Smutniak (Perfect Strangers LIFF16 Opening Night). Plus FERRANTE FEVER, a documentary about the mysterious author whose “Neapolitan Quartet” novels have attracted legions of fans worldwide. This in-depth investigation attempts to uncover not the mystery of Elena Ferrante’s identity, but what it is about her Neapolitan novels that have so captivated the world.

Italy is not only known for world-class drama and high-end filmmaking, but also for their love of outrageous comedies! This year we bring you the biggest hit comedies of the last 12 months including, MY BIG GAY ITALIAN WEDDING – based on the hit off-Broadway play, this is a chaotic, heart-warming trip to the altar as a young man travels to his conservative hometown to marry his fiancé. From the writer of Welcome to the North (LIFF12), PUT NONNA IN THE FREEZER stars Fabio De Luigi as the Tax Police’s most incorruptible officer whose world is upended when he falls for an unlikely scammer. Winner of Best Comedy at the Nastri d’Argento awards, LIKE A CAT ON A HIGHWAY sees two parents from different worlds suddenly united by a common cause: to stop their teenage children from dating one another! And LOVE & BULLETS, a 17-time international award-winner including Best Film at the Italian Academy Awards (David di Donatello), this hugely entertaining mafia musical follows a family of schemers whose latest plan is threatened by true love.

This year the Lavazza Italian Film Festival will celebrate the work of renowned and much lauded Turkish-Italian director and scriptwriter FERZAN ÖZPETEK with a special spotlight on his work including: the lush, Naples-set mystery NAPLES IN VEILS in which a medical examiner has a carnal affair with a man who later ends up at her examining table, starring Giovanna Mezzogiorno and Alessandro  (I Was a Dreamer LIFF17); winner of Best Film at the 2003 Italian Academy Awards FACING WINDOWS in which Giovanna Mezzogiorno and Raoul Bova star in this tale of a woman stuck in a failing marriage and the Holocaust survivor she cares for; the 2001 Italian Golden Globe winner IGNORANT FAIRIES which follows a woman who befriends her husband’s lover after she finds out about his affair (starring Margherita Buy and Stefano Accorsi); and LOOSE CANNONS, one of Ferzan Özpetek’s most awarded films, Riccardo Scamarcio stars in this amiable comedy about a son’s journey home to southern Italy, to finally come out to his family.

The Lavazza Italian Film Festival presented by Palace screens in the following locations:
Sydney: 11 Sept  – 7 Oct, Palace Norton Street, Palace Verona, Chauvel Cinemas, Palace Central
Canberra: 12 Sept – 7 Oct, Palace Electric Cinemas
Melbourne: 13 Sept – 7 Oct, Palace Cinema Como, Palace Westgarth, Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, Kino Cinemas, The Astor Theatre
Brisbane: 19 Sept – 14 Oct, Palace Barracks and Palace Centro
Adelaide: 19 Sept – 14 Oct, Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas and Palace Nova Prospect Cinemas
Perth: 20 Sept – 10 Oct, Cinema Paradiso, Luna on SX
Hobart: 18 Oct – 24 Oct, The State Cinema
www.italianfilmfestival.com.au

To enter this great competition just fill out the entry form below.

Competition will be drawn 17 September 2018, winners will be notified by mail.

Presented by Palace, the program, consisting of 37 feature films and 2 short films, celebrates cinema d’italia in all its glory – from the funny and outrageous to lavish romance, poetic drama and revealing documentaries. With 33 Australian Premieres, the Lavazza Italian Film Festival is the place to experience la dolce vita and lose yourself in the best Italian cinema on the big screen.

This year’s SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS include the 2018 winner of Best Original Screenplay at Cannes Film Festival, Alice Rohrwacher’s (The Wonders LIFF14) enchanting third film HAPPY AS LAZZARO (Lazzaro felice); and from Matteo Garrone, the director of Gomorrah comes DOGMAN – the Cannes Film Festival award-winning tale of a dog-lover in desolate Southern Italy who is driven to terrifying extremes by a violent local bully.

Closing the festival is the horror masterpiece SUSPIRIA (1977), Dario Argento’s sinister ballet academy-set tale. Still the most famous of all Italian horror movies, it can now be seen in its digitally restored glory. Four years in the making, this restoration was made from the uncut 98 minute 35mm Italian camera negative, revealing layers of unseen colour and with a remixed surround-soundtrack.

Comedy, Italian-Style is celebrated with a curated selection of the best laughs on offer from the last twelve months. Based on the hit off-Broadway play, MY BIG GAY ITALIAN WEDDING (Puoi baciare lo sposo) takes us on a heart-warming and chaotic trip to the altar as a young man travels to his conservative hometown to marry his fiancé; the biggest Italian film at the 2017 local box-office, with its feet firmly planted in the zeitgeist and winner of the 2018 Best Comedy Nastro d’Argento award LIKE A CAT ON A HIGHWAY (Come un gatto in tangenziale) sees two parents from different worlds united by a common cause, to stop their teenage children from dating!; in COUCH POTATOES (Gli sdraiati), multi-award winning director Francesca Archibugi (An Italian Name LIFF15) returns with an hilarious intergenerational comedy; Edoardo Leo (Perfect Strangers LIFF16) co-writes and Venice Film Festival award-winner Alessandro Aronadio directs JUST BELIEVE (Io c’è), about the power of believing in yourself; from the writer of Perfect Strangers comes AS NEEDED (Quanto basta), a Tuscan comedy about Arturo, a 40-year-old chef with a troubled past; from popular actor/filmmaker Carlo Verdone comes BLESSED MADNESS (Benedetta follia) as a shop-owner re-enters the dating world for the first time in 25 years; the box-office hit COUPLE THERAPY FOR CHEATERS (Terapia di coppia per amanti) sees a pair of cheaters end up on a therapist’s couch to resolve their relationship crisis; Fabio De Luigi stars as the Tax Police’s most incorruptible officer whose world is upended when he falls for an unlikely scammer in PUT NONNA IN THE FREEZER (Metti la nonna in freezer), from the writer of Welcome to the North (LIFF12); Angela and Franca run away from their boring retirement home in Rome to fabulous Venice in NONNAS ON THE RUN (Niente di serio), a life-affirming tale starring screen icon Claudia Cardinale; and in the final episode of the hit saga I CAN QUIT WHENEVER I WANT 3 (Smetto quando voglio: ad honorem), the brilliant academics reunite and must team up with their arch-nemesis to stop a professor’s diabolical plan.

The best Italian drama, international award-winners and big-name festival favourites will hit the screen in Lights, drama, action! Two boys from the fringes of Rome’s underworld are pulled in deeper in BOYS CRY (La terra dell’abbastanza); a young girl is torn between her adoptive mother (Valeria Golino) and her birth mother, (Alba Rohrwacher) in DAUGHTER OF MINE (Figlia mia), the acclaimed Sardinian-set drama from Laura Bispuri (Sworn Virgin); winner of the Human Rights Award at Venice, THE ORDER OF THINGS (L’ordine delle cose) is an absorbing drama from the director of Shun Li and the Poet (LIFF12), which follows an immigration agent torn between the job and his humanity; actor and director Valeria Golino (Rain Man), returns with EUPHORIA (Euforia), a riveting drama about two brothers forced back into each other’s lives that premiered in Un Certain Regard at this year’s Cannes;  based on the bestselling novel, THE GIRL IN THE FOG (La ragazza nella nebbia) is a gripping thriller which follows the enigmatic Detective Vogel (Toni Servillo) as he investigates the sudden disappearance of a young girl; WATER AND SUGAR: CARLO DI PALMA, THE COLOURS OF LIFE (Acqua e zucchero: carlo di palma, I colori della vita) is a loving documentary which chronicles visionary Italian cinematographer Carlo Di Palma’s extraordinary work for such directors as Elio Petri, Michelangelo Antonioni and Woody Allen; regrets of the past are faced in WHERE I’VE NEVER LIVED (Dove non ho mai abitato) as Francesca (French star Emmanuelle Devos) a 50-year-old architect in a loveless marriage returns home; an unexpected storm strands a family gathered to celebrate their grandparents’ anniversary in THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME (A casa tutti bene) the star-studded highlight from the writer of Perfect Strangers and director Gabriele Muccino (The Pursuit of Happyness), co-starring Pierfrancesco Favino; MADE IN ITALY is Italian singer Luciano Ligabue’s multi-award winning smash-hit, based on his eponymous concept album and starring Kasia Smutniak (Perfect Strangers); set in the hills of Conegliano, Veneto, THE LAST PROSECCO (Finché c’è prosecco c’è speranza) is a comedic mystery which follows a seemingly bumbling inspector (Giuseppe Battiston) who tries to solve the death of a local Prosecco wine maker; in A WOMAN’S NAME (Nome di donna), a young woman who is harassed by her manager chooses to break the silence and rebel in this timely #MeToo drama from director Marco Tullio Giordana; a huge hit with audiences and critics alike during this year’s Directors’ Fortnight at Cannes, LUCIA’S GRACE (Troppa grazia) sees Alba Rohrwacher star as a land surveyor who is visited by a woman claiming to be the Virgin Mary; dumped by his girlfriend and finding himself stranded on different couches at friends’ places, Guido tries to transform his drift into an opportunity for a new beginning in THE GUEST (L’ospite); and in Letizia Lamartire’s debut drama WE’LL BE YOUNG AND BEAUTIFUL (Saremo giovani e bellissimi) Isabella (Barbora Bobulova), a pop-star in the 90s, will have her relationship with her son tested.

This year the Lavazza Italian Film Festival will celebrate the work of renowned and much lauded Turkish-Italian director and scriptwriter FERZAN ÖZPETEK with a special spotlight on his work including: the lush, mystery NAPLES IN VEILS (Napoli velata) in which a medical examiner has a carnal affair with a man who later ends up on her examining table, starring Giovanna Mezzogiorno and Alessandro Borghi (I Was a Dreamer LIFF17); winner of Best Film at the 2003 Italian Academy Awards FACING WINDOWS (La finestra di fronte) stars Giovanna Mezzogiorno and Raoul Bova in a tale of a woman stuck in a failing marriage and the Holocaust survivor she cares for; the 2001 Italian Golden Globe winner IGNORANT FAIRIES (Le fate ignoranti), which follows a woman who befriends her husband’s lover after she finds out about his affair (starring Margherita Buy and Stefano Accorsi); and one of Ferzan Özpetek’s most awarded films, LOOSE CANNONS (Mine vaganti) starring Riccardo Scamarcio, which is an amiable comedy about a son’s journey home to southern Italy, to finally come out to his family.

The Lavazza Italian Film Festival presented by Palace screens in the following locations:
Sydney: 11 Sept  – 7 Oct, Palace Norton Street, Palace Verona, Chauvel Cinemas, Palace Central
Canberra: 12 Sept – 7 Oct, Palace Electric Cinemas
Melbourne: 13 Sept – 7 Oct, Palace Cinema Como, Palace Westgarth, Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, Kino Cinemas, The Astor Theatre
Brisbane: 19 Sept – 14 Oct, Palace Barracks and Palace Centro
Adelaide: 19 Sept – 14 Oct, Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas and Palace Nova Prospect Cinemas
Perth: 27 Sept – 17 Oct, Cinema Paradiso, Luna on SX
Hobart: 18 Oct – 24 Oct, The State Cinema
www.italianfilmfestival.com.au

Sitting at the heart of the program are our SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS which include: The 2018 winner of Best Original Screenplay at Cannes Film Festival, HAPPY AS LAZZARO, Alice Rohrwacher’s (The Wonders LIFF14) enchanting third film; and from Matteo Garrone, the director of Gomorrah comes DOGMAN – the Cannes Film Festival award-winning tale of a dog-lover in desolate Southern Italy who is driven to terrifying extremes by a violent local bully.

Strong dramas are aplenty with films from much-loved directors featuring famous faces straight from the international circuit. Actress and director Valeria Golino (Rain Man), returns with EUPHORIA, a riveting drama about two brothers forced back into each other’s lives, starring Riccardo Scamarcio (Dalida LIFF17) and Valerio Mastandrea (Perfect Strangers LIFF16 Opening Night). Acclaimed crime-drama BOYS CRY in which two boys who have always existed on the fringes of Rome’s underworld are suddenly pulled into it, is directed by the D’Innocenzo Brothers and co-stars Luca Zingaretti (LIFF guest 2016) as the mafia boss. THE GIRL IN THE FOG, based on the eponymous bestselling novel, is a gripping thriller set amid a close-knit mountain village which follows the enigmatic Detective Vogel (Toni Servillo, Let Yourself Go! LIFF17 Opening Night) as he investigates the sudden disappearance of a young girl.  And a huge hit in Italy, singer Luciano Ligabue’s multi award-winning dramedy based on his album of the same name, MADE IN ITALY, stars Stefano Accorsi (Italian Race LIFF16) and Kasia Smutniak (Perfect Strangers LIFF16 Opening Night). Plus FERRANTE FEVER, a documentary about the mysterious author whose “Neapolitan Quartet” novels have attracted legions of fans worldwide. This in-depth investigation attempts to uncover not the mystery of Elena Ferrante’s identity, but what it is about her Neapolitan novels that have so captivated the world.

Italy is not only known for world-class drama and high-end filmmaking, but also for their love of outrageous comedies! This year we bring you the biggest hit comedies of the last 12 months including, MY BIG GAY ITALIAN WEDDING – based on the hit off-Broadway play, this is a chaotic, heart-warming trip to the altar as a young man travels to his conservative hometown to marry his fiancé. From the writer of Welcome to the North (LIFF12), PUT NONNA IN THE FREEZER stars Fabio De Luigi as the Tax Police’s most incorruptible officer whose world is upended when he falls for an unlikely scammer. Winner of Best Comedy at the Nastri d’Argento awards, LIKE A CAT ON A HIGHWAY sees two parents from different worlds suddenly united by a common cause: to stop their teenage children from dating one another! And LOVE & BULLETS, a 17-time international award-winner including Best Film at the Italian Academy Awards (David di Donatello), this hugely entertaining mafia musical follows a family of schemers whose latest plan is threatened by true love.

This year the Lavazza Italian Film Festival will celebrate the work of renowned and much lauded Turkish-Italian director and scriptwriter FERZAN ÖZPETEK with a special spotlight on his work including: the lush, Naples-set mystery NAPLES IN VEILS in which a medical examiner has a carnal affair with a man who later ends up at her examining table, starring Giovanna Mezzogiorno and Alessandro  (I Was a Dreamer LIFF17); winner of Best Film at the 2003 Italian Academy Awards FACING WINDOWS in which Giovanna Mezzogiorno and Raoul Bova star in this tale of a woman stuck in a failing marriage and the Holocaust survivor she cares for; the 2001 Italian Golden Globe winner IGNORANT FAIRIES which follows a woman who befriends her husband’s lover after she finds out about his affair (starring Margherita Buy and Stefano Accorsi); and LOOSE CANNONS, one of Ferzan Özpetek’s most awarded films, Riccardo Scamarcio stars in this amiable comedy about a son’s journey home to southern Italy, to finally come out to his family.

The Lavazza Italian Film Festival presented by Palace screens in the following locations:
Sydney: 11 Sept  – 7 Oct, Palace Norton Street, Palace Verona, Chauvel Cinemas, Palace Central
Canberra: 12 Sept – 7 Oct, Palace Electric Cinemas
Melbourne: 13 Sept – 7 Oct, Palace Cinema Como, Palace Westgarth, Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, Kino Cinemas, The Astor Theatre
Brisbane: 19 Sept – 14 Oct, Palace Barracks and Palace Centro
Adelaide: 19 Sept – 14 Oct, Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas and Palace Nova Prospect Cinemas
Perth: 20 Sept – 10 Oct, Cinema Paradiso, Luna on SX
Hobart: 18 Oct – 24 Oct, The State Cinema
www.italianfilmfestival.com.au

The 18th Lavazza Italian Film Festival (LIFF) screens at Palace Barracks and Centro cinemas in Brisbane from 20 September – 8 October, showcasing a huge program of Italian cinema. LIFF is thrilled to have Milan-born Italian/Australian actor Greta Scacchi on board as this year’s Festival Ambassador. For the first time, the festival is also honoured to introduce the Bulgari Critics’ Choice Award; a new prize to celebrate Italian contemporary cinema with an exceptional partner emblematic of Italian excellence – Bulgari.

Program highlights include the Opening Night Gala featuring Italian Golden Globes award-winning comedy LET YOURSELF GO! (LASCIATI ANDARE). This year’s Centrepiece is the David di Donatello Award-winning INDIVISIBLE (INDIVISIBILI), the story of conjoined twin sisters who are gifted with beautiful voices. The festival closes with LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL (LA VITA È BELLA), an effervescent, uplifting, comedic and tragic film by Italy’s king of slapstick Roberto Benigni.

Click here to view our extended coverage and other movie highlights from the festival.

18th Lavazza Italian Film Festival
Sydney: Sept 12- Oct 8, Palace Norton Street, Palace Verona, Chauvel Cinemas
Melbourne: Sept 14 to Oct 8, Palace Cinema Como, Palace Westgarth, Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, Kino Cinemas, The Astor Theatre
Canberra: Sept 14 to Oct 8, Palace Electric Cinemas
Brisbane: Sept 20 to Oct 8, Palace Barracks and Palace Centro
Adelaide: Sept 13 to Oct 1, Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas
Perth: Sept 21 to Oct 11, Cinema Paradiso, Luna on SX
Hobart: Oct 19 – 25, The State Cinema
www.italianfilmfestival.com.au

Competition will be drawn 19 September 2017, winners will be notified by mail.

The Lavazza Italian Film Festival driven by Fiat will once again showcase the very best new Italian cinema when it screens exclusively at Palace Cinemas. The festival launches in style with, Opening Night film PERFECT STRANGERS (Perfetti sconosciuti), which follows seven friends at a dinner party who decide to share the content of every message, email and phone call they receive over the night during which more secrets than expected are revealed. Opening Night will see guests enjoy our biggest Opening Night party including Bandini prosecco on arrival, after party including Lavazza and Connoisseur “Affogato Bar”, Peroni, Aquilani Italian wine, a taste of Italy, live entertainment and our famous festival gift bag!

The festival is proud to host the world premiere of THE SPACE BETWEEN by Melbourne filmmaker Ruth Borgobello. The first Australian-Italian feature co-production is a cross-cultural romantic drama starring Flavio Parenti and Maeve Dermody and a true celebration of la dolce vita. Taking the Centrepiece slot is veteran director Marco Bellocchio’s SWEET DREAMS (Fai bei sogni) straight from Directors’ Fortnight at Cannes. The film adaptation of Massimo Gramellini’s best-seller Sweet Dreams, Little One, is headlined by Valerio Mastandrea and Bérénice Bejo.

To enter this great competition just fill in the entry form below. Please note – these tickets are for a specific screening only and can not be exchanged or refunded. The winners will need to be available on Thursday September 1 at 6:30pm in Brisbane to be able to attend this screening at the Palace Barracks Cinema.

The Lavazza Italian Film Festival screens at Palace Barracks Cinema From September 28 to October 19.
www.italianfilmfestival.com.au

Competition will be drawn 28 August 2016, winners will be notified by email.