How Filming Italy Sardegna Plans To Serve As A Bridge Between Italy & The U.S.
The festival will present more than 70 films, many of which are Italian or world premieres. Notable titles in the line-up this year include Steven Soderbergh's Presence, starring Lucy Liu and Chris Sullivan; Reflection in a Dead Diamond, the critically acclaimed spy thriller from Hélène Cattet and Bruno Forzani; and Karate Kid: Legends, directed by Jonathan Entwistle. The festival will open with the film Poveri Noi by Fabrizio Maria Cortese, starring Paolo Ruffini on Thursday.
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'The lineup is incredibly rich and diverse, spanning multiple genres, regions and perspectives,' says Rocca, who also returned this year as artistic director of the Taormina Film Festival, which wrapped June 14. She says that Sardegna is different to Taormina in that it is 'more grounded in mentorships and education'. For her, she sees the four-day event serving as 'a powerful platform for introducing cinema to younger generations.'
'Filming in Italy Sardegna was created to give real visibility and opportunities to the next generation,' says Rocca. 'Reaching our eighth edition is a proud milestone and it proves that our efforts are making a difference. Our purpose is to support young talent, foster industry connections, highlight female voices and promote both Italian and international cinema.'
She points to the festival's short film competition, which is organized in partnership with the University of Cagliari, as one of the star events of the festival. The short film jury will be presided over by actress and director Macaela Ramazzotti, and she will be joined by Heather Graham, Alec Baldwin, Rocío Muñoz Morales, Riccardo Milani, Aurora Giovinazzo and Giacomo Giorgio.
There's also a strong emphasis for the festival to spotlight women in the industry and this year, Sardegna is honoring The Last Showgirl director Gia Coppola with the Women Power Excellence Award. 'Her presence is a source of great pride for our festival and a tangible sign of the increasingly strong link between American cinema and our country,' says Rocca.
Other notable guests this year include Simon Baker, who will receive the Filming Italy Excellence Award, and Cuba Gooding Jr., who will be honored with the Filming Italy Creativity Award. French actress Anouchka Delon will also attend, receiving an award in memory of her father Alain. Italian actress Martina Stella will act as the fest's godmother.
Television will also play a central role at the event this year. 'Today's audience consumes stories across both film and TV, and we fully embrace that evolution,' Rocca says. In addition to Baker, other major TV stars such as Fran Drescher (The Nanny), Jane Seymour (Dr. Quinn), Melissa Roxburgh (Manifest), Joe Manganiello (True Blood), Karen Pittman (The Morning Show) and many others are set to touch down on the Italian island. 'Their presence highlights how storytelling has expanded into serialized formats with equal artistic value,' says Rocca, adding that many will be participating in masterclasses, public talks and conversations with students.
'Their insight and experience will inspire dialogue around the future of cinema, storytelling and artistic collaboration.'
Promoting the region, in particular Sardinia as a prime filming destination, has also been a core objective for Rocca as she has been steadily building the event across the last eight years. 'I chose Cagliari and southern Sardinia specifically because these locations are breathtaking yet underrepresented in global cinema. Through the festival we are shining a spotlight on the island's landscapes, culture and infrastructure, encouraging international filmmakers to consider Sardinia for their next project.'
She adds: 'We're also proud to note that Sardegna is a plastic-free, eco-conscious festival. We highlight films that raise awareness around sustainability and environmental issues, especially for younger audiences.'
Filming In Sardegna takes place June 19-22, 2025.
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