Brie Larson, Katie Holmes, and Bo Derek are among the Hollywood luminaries set to grace the island of Sardinia for the seventh edition of the Filming Italy Sardegna Festival. This star-studded event, which marks the beginning of Italy’s summer movie season, will take place from June 20-23 at the Forte Village resort near Cagliari, the capital of Sardinia.
The festival, which blends film and television, has significantly ramped up its efforts to attract top-tier talent this year. Tiziana Rocca, the marketing expert and former head of the Taormina Film Festival, who founded the Sardinia event seven years ago, emphasized the festival’s commitment to drawing in big names.
This year’s lineup includes over 70 international and Italian titles, spanning feature films, TV series, documentaries, and shorts across various genres. Among the local premieres are Netflix’s Japanese anime film “The Imaginary,” set to release on July 5, and the crime thriller “Cult Killer” featuring Antonio Banderas, who will not be attending. Michael Mohan’s horror film “Immaculate,” starring Sydney Sweeney as a nun who becomes pregnant at an Italian monastery, will also be showcased, though without the cast present. Dolph Lundgren will be in attendance for his action thriller “Wanted Man,” and Katie Holmes will present her third feature, the mental illness drama “Rare Objects.”
Rocca aims for the festival to cater to a broad audience, ensuring there is something for everyone. Other notable films launching in Italy from Sardinia include Guillaume Canet’s eco-thriller “Acid,” Jeff Nichols’ critically acclaimed crime period piece “The Bikeriders,” and the Italian comedy “Amici per caso,” directed by Max Nardari. This comedy tells the story of two young Italian men, one gay and the other homophobic, who learn to get along during forced cohabitation. The title translates to “Friends by Chance.”
The festival will also feature master classes from a roster of talents including Holmes, Larson, Derek, Matt Bomer, John David Washington, Patricia Arquette, Nell Tiger Free, Paz Vega, and Rosario Dawson. Italian stars such as Salvatore Esposito, Silvio Orlando, and Ambra Angiolini will also be present.
In addition to being a significant event for the local industry, Filming Italy Sardegna serves as an educational platform for over 2,000 Italian film students from more than 20 film schools. These students will have the opportunity to attend screenings and masterclasses, benefiting from informal interactions with stars and industry professionals.
This year’s festival is dedicated to the late Sandra Milo, the star of Federico Fellini’s “8½” and “Juliet of the Spirits,” who passed away in January at the age of 90. Milo will be honored with a screening of “Juliet of the Spirits,” in a newly restored version by Italy’s Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia archives.
The presence of Brie Larson, Katie Holmes, and Bo Derek at the Filming Italy Sardegna Festival underscores the event’s growing prestige and its appeal to Hollywood’s elite. Their participation not only highlights the festival’s commitment to showcasing diverse and high-quality content but also its role in fostering connections between international and Italian cinema.
As the festival continues to evolve, it remains a vital platform for celebrating film and television, providing a unique blend of entertainment and education for both industry professionals and aspiring filmmakers. The involvement of such high-profile stars ensures that the Filming Italy Sardegna Festival will continue to be a highlight of the summer movie season in Italy.
