Oscar winners Davine Joy Randolph, Juliette Binoche and Italy’s Anna Ferzetti, who stars in Paolo Sorrentino’s latest film La Grazia, are among the top winners at the 11th Italian Film Festival Los Angeles. This event, which bridges Italy and Hollywood, will be held from February 10th to 14th.
Ferzetti, who starred in La Grazia and recently appeared in Ferzan Ozpetek’s blockbuster hit Diamonds and the cross-generational comedy Classmates, is also this year’s Ambassador. Filming in Italy — Los Angeles is led by Tiziana Rocca, a marketing guru and long-time promoter of Italian industry, who also spearheads the Taormina Film Festival.
“Ferrzetti is having a great year in different types of roles that really make her shine,” Rocca told Variety.
In addition to this honor, Binoche will present his directorial debut, In-I In Motion, about the cathartic experience of co-creating and performing a dance show with renowned British choreographer Akram Khan.
Other notable figures expected to participate in Filming Italy in various guises include Julian Schnabel. Oscar-nominated casting director Francine Meisler (“Sinners”); Samuel Arnold stars in “Emily in Paris.” Dolph Lundgren, actor of “Rocky” and “Creed.” and Oscar-nominated costume designer Miyako Bellizzi (“Marty Supreme”).
As previously announced, iconic Italian actor Franco Nero, who became world famous in Sergio Corbucci’s 1966 classic spaghetti western “Django,” will also be honored at Filming Italy for his role in the Hollywood Walk of Fame on February 12th.
A Nero retrospective featuring Florestano Mancini’s political drama “The Matteotti Murders,” which depicts the kidnapping and assassination of Italian Socialist Party leader Giacomo Matteotti by fascist thugs in 1924 after exposing election fraud, will also be part of the Nero memorial.
Rocca is particularly proud that Filming Italy has acquired the third star dedicated to an Italian artist, following Gina Lollobrigida’s 90th birthday in 2018 and Giancarlo Giannini in 2023.
Fresh Italian films scheduled to be screened at the festival include Italian comedy sensation Cecco Zalone’s blockbuster “Buen Camino” (which just became Italy’s highest-grossing film in history with $82 million) and fellow Italian high-scoring concept comedy “Madly” by director Paolo Genovese.
