The largest celebration of Italian culture and film outside Italy, the ST. ALi Italian Film Festival, returns to cinema screens this September – October with an unmissable selection of the best new Italian cinema.
Presented by Palace, the 2025 edition of the festival will screen in Sydney, Melbourne, Ballarat, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Byron Bay and Ballina, commencing on September 24 in Brisbane.
The full 2025 line up will be revealed in late August with these first highlights offering a tantalising taste of what to expect in this year’s program, which will showcase the filmmaking and acting talents of Italy’s finest.
Opening the festival is Paolo Genovese’s record-breaking hit SOMEBODY TO LOVE (FolleMente), a romantic comedy with an all-star cast including Edoardo Leo, Pilar Fogliati and Vittoria Puccini. Following the global success of Perfect Strangers (IFF 16), writer/director Genovese’s latest film reveals the innermost thoughts and uncertainties of a modern Italian couple on their awkward first date.
From acclaimed filmmaker Ferzan Özpetek comes the stunning, female led drama DIAMONDS (Diamanti). An ode to the beautiful craftsmanship of film costume designers and seamstresses, Luisa Ranieri and Jasmine Trinca star as sisters running a couture costume design house in 1970s Rome, exploring the lives and relationships of the women working within it.
The festival Special Presentation is the winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the 2024 Venice Film Festival, THE MOUNTAIN BRIDE – VERMIGLIO (Vermiglio). An atmospheric, visually breathtaking portrait of a family caught between tradition and modernity in the final year of WWII, writer/director Maura Delpero drew upon her own family’s past and collective memory to create this rich, intimate drama that follows a series of consequential events.
A box office sensation in Italy, moving drama THE BOY WITH PINK TROUSERS (Il ragazzo dai pantaloni rosa) features rising star Samuele Carrino in a powerful performance. Exploring the real story behind Italy’s first publicised case of online bullying, the film garnered much attention in Italy and sparked important discussions about the issue.
Starring popular comic duo Ficarra & Picone and festival favourite Toni Servillo, THE ILLUSION (L’Abbaglio) is a fun re-imagining of Giuseppe Garibaldi’s 1860 campaign that unified Italy. Directed and co-written by Roberto Andò (Strangeness IFF23) this entertaining tale blends comedy and drama to illuminate a piece of history, exploring the paradoxes of Sicilian identity.
The adventures of the Rovelli family continue in WHEN MUM IS AWAY…WITH THE IN-LAWS (10 Giorni con I suoi). This time the family head to Puglia in the hit comedy directed by Alessandro Genovesi and starring Fabio De Luigi and Valentina Lodovini.
The full programme will be announced and tickets go on sale late August. Register for updates via the festival website to be the first to know when tickets are released.
The 2025 ST. ALi Italian Film Festival presented by Palace screens in the following locations:
Canberra 17 September – 15 October, Palace Electric Cinema
Adelaide 17 September – 14 October, Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas, Palace Nova Prospect Cinemas
Sydney 18 September – 15 October, Palace Moore Park, Palace Norton St, Palace Central, Chauvel Cinema
Melbourne 19 September – 16 October, The Astor Theatre, Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Cinema Como, Palace Penny Lane, Palace Westgarth, The Kino, Pentridge Cinema, Cinema Nova
Ballarat 20 September – 16 October, Palace Regent Cinemas
Brisbane 24 September – 22 October, Palace Barracks, Palace James Street
Byron Bay and Ballina 25 September – 15 October, Palace Byron Bay, Ballina Fair Cinemas
Perth 25 September – 22 October, Palace Raine Square, Luna Leederville, Luna on SX, Windsor Cinema
www.italianfilmfestival.com.au
