Perth to celebrate two decades of Italian film

Palace’s biggest event of the year will include special presentations, apertivo nights, receptions and galas across Cinema Paradiso (Northbridge) and Luna Palace Cinemas’ Luna on SX (Fremantle) from October 2. 

Kicking off the festival is opening night film selection The Champion, set in the glossy world of professional, millionaire footballers. This striking story blends the spectacular and the intimate, featuring Stevano Accorsi in his debut role. 

With an afterparty following the screening at Connections Nightclub including drinks, a “taste of Italy” and Italian tunes, this is an event not to miss. 

The 20th edition of the festival will feature not one, but two special presentations: Edoardo De Angelis’ powerful and award-winning new film The Vice of Hope, starring Pina Turco as a woman striving to escape a life of vice and criminality, and the director’s cut of one of the most-talked-about opening night films in the festival’s 20-year history, Loro.

You will also have the chance to catch WAAPA graduates Daniel Berini and Antoinette Iesue, alongside Paul Mercurio and Tina Arena in the world premiere of romantic drama Promised.

We are most looking forward to catching comedy flick Let Me Introduce You to Sofia, which 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.

Last, but not least, is the Australian premiere of Ron Howard’s highly anticipated biopic Pavrotti on closing night. 

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.

View the full program at www.italianfilmfestival.com.au.