The 2024 ST. ALi Italian Film Festival is back with an exciting lineup celebrating its 25th edition! Running from 3rd – 23rd October at Palace Cinemas and Luna Palace Cinemas, this year’s festival promises a stunning selection of award-winning films, box office hits, and special anniversary screenings. Whether you’re a lover of Italian drama, comedy, or family films, this year’s festival offers something for everyone.
Opening night – GLORIA!
Kicking off the festival in spectacular style is GLORIA!, the directorial debut of Italian singer, songwriter, and actor Margherita Vicario. This vibrant film, co-written by Vicario, follows the story of a maid whose hidden musical talents inspire an uprising at a Venetian refuge. Vicario will be attending the festival in Sydney and Melbourne to introduce the film at the Opening Night Gala, joined by Silvia Colloca, festival ambassador and beloved Italian-Australian food writer, TV producer, and author.
Closing night – CONCLAVE
Rounding off the festival is the thrilling CONCLAVE, starring Oscar nominees Ralph Fiennes and Stanley Tucci. Directed by Edward Berger, this dramatic adaptation of Robert Harris’ novel follows a high-stakes papal election at the Vatican. With its star-studded cast and gripping storyline, CONCLAVE is the perfect finale for this year’s festival.
Festival Centrepiece – PARTHENOPE
The visual and emotional centerpiece of the festival is PARTHENOPE, directed by Paolo Sorrentino. This decades-spanning romantic drama, set in Naples, is a visually stunning tale about love and destiny. Sorrentino, an Academy Award-winning director, has crafted a film that will undoubtedly captivate audiences.
Special presentations
The 2024 lineup includes several Special Presentations, starting with MARCELLO MIO, a playful tribute to the legendary actor Marcello Mastroianni. Directed by Christophe Honoré, the film stars real-life mother-daughter duo Catherine Deneuve and Chiara Mastroianni. Another highlight is THERE’S STILL TOMORROW (C’è ancora domani), the biggest Italian box office hit of 2023. Directed by Paola Cortellesi, who also stars in the film, this post-war drama tells the powerful story of a woman seeking a new future in Rome.
Thrilling dramas
This year’s festival showcases some of the best Italian dramas, including MIA, a heart-wrenching tale of a father protecting his teenage daughter from an older boy, and TRUST (Confidenza), a psychological thriller with a score by Radiohead’s Thom Yorke. Another standout is the maritime thriller COMANDANTE, starring Pierfrancesco Favino as an Italian submarine captain caught in a moral dilemma during the Battle of the Atlantic.
Anniversary celebrations
The 2024 festival also celebrates key anniversaries in film history. In honour of its 25th year, the festival is bringing back the beloved BREAD AND TULIPS (Pane e Tulipani), the heartwarming tale of a housewife’s unexpected journey of self-discovery in Venice. Additionally, marking its 50th anniversary, THE GODFATHER PART II will be shown in a stunning 4K restoration, giving fans a chance to experience Francis Ford Coppola’s masterpiece on the big screen.
Comedies and family fun
For lovers of Italian comedies, the festival offers a selection of laugh-out-loud hits. A WORLD APART (Un mondo a parte) follows a teacher’s hilarious misadventures in a tiny village, while LIFE’S A BEACH (Come può uno scoglio) takes audiences on a comedic journey across Italy. THE WAR OF THE NONNI (La guerra dei nonni) brings fun for the whole family, starring Vincenzo Salemme and Max Tortora as grandfathers in a hilarious competition.
Neo-noir and dark stories
For fans of darker dramas, the neo-noir WE WERE CHILDREN (Eravamo bambini) blends a revenge thriller with a coming-of-age tale, while A DARK STORY (Una storia nera) delves into family secrets and mysteries surrounding a father’s disappearance. These gripping narratives are set to keep audiences on the edge of their seats.
Documentaries and insights into Italian culture
This year’s documentary selections are equally impressive, including AN ODE TO NAPLES (Posso entrare? An Ode to Naples), directed by Trudie Styler, which explores the spirit of Naples through its music, people, and challenges. Another special screening is THE RISE OF ESPRESSO, a documentary exploring the global expansion of Italy’s coffee culture, accompanied by special event screenings in Sydney and Melbourne.
