Filming Italy Los Angeles: A Digital Celebration of Italian Cinema

The sixth annual Filming Italy Los Angeles, a hybrid event predominantly streamed online, unfolded from March 18th to 21st, 2021. This year’s honorary president expressed delight at the festival’s focus on women, environmental issues, and social justice – themes she deeply cherishes. Created by Tiziana Rocca, Agnus Dei, and Valeria Rumori, in collaboration with the Italian Institute of Culture in Los Angeles, the APA (Associazione Produttori Audiovisivi), and under the patronage of the Italian Embassy in Washington and the Italian Consulate General in Los Angeles, the festival celebrated 160 years of Italian-American relations, highlighting cinema’s pivotal role in strengthening ties between the two nations.

Over 50 Italian films, television series, documentaries, and shorts, many making their global debuts, were showcased. Two of the 25 planned masterclasses featured Oliver Stone discussing his career and latest book, and singer Tiziano Ferro. Tiziana Rocca, the festival’s artistic director, emphasized the event’s success despite the pandemic, highlighting its adaptation to a digital format. She underscored the festival’s ongoing commitment to the power of culture, even amidst global challenges, noting its previous successful iterations in Sardinia and Venice. Luciano Sovena, President of the Roma Lazio Film Commission, voiced the desire to promote Lazio’s film-friendly locations. He announced Claudia Gerini’s award for her contributions to Italian cinema internationally, news that delighted the actress.

Gerini, expressing surprise and gratitude, highlighted her personal connection to Lazio, her film work in the United States, and her hopes for increased international recognition of Italian cinema. Given the pandemic’s impact on film education, she will conduct masterclasses for aspiring young actors. The digital format enhances an already rich program of events and prominent figures. The festival centers on women’s contributions to filmmaking, reflecting Rocca’s belief in women’s capabilities and their inspirational power. Gerini echoed this sentiment, emphasizing progress made but acknowledging the ongoing need for greater equity. She shared her upcoming roles as producer, actor, and director across multiple projects, including a period piece set in the 1920s and an adaptation of “Il sale rosa dell’Himalaya.” She addressed the underrepresentation of mature women in film, noting her own fortunate experiences while acknowledging the broader systemic inequalities.

Carlo Verdone and Margherita Buy received the IIC Los Angeles Creativity Award, a prestigious honor recognizing Italian excellence in creative fields, previously awarded to such luminaries as Monica Bellucci, Claudia Cardinale, Gina Lollobrigida, Mario Martone, Gianfranco Rosi, Lina Wertmüller, and Gabriele Salvatores. This award features an original artwork by Emilio Cavallini, inspired by the Pantheon’s ceiling. Gerini reflected on the enduring global fascination with Italian cinema, emphasizing the evolving image of Italy beyond stereotypical portrayals. She expressed unwavering optimism for the future of Italian cinema and theatre, underscoring their essential cultural significance. The festival was streamed on the MyMovies platform, creating a virtual venue for 1,500 attendees, including producers, distributors, artists, and university representatives. Online screenings were restricted to the United States, ensuring adherence to stringent security and data protection standards.