15 October • 3 November 2025

SOFIA

The second edition of “Italian Screens” kicks off on Wednesday, October 15th at the Lumiere cinema in Sofia. The initiative, dedicated to promoting Italian cinema worldwide and support instruments such as the tax credit and funds dedicated to distribution and co-productions, is part of the rich program of the eleventh edition of the “Cinelibri” International Film Festival, one of Bulgaria’s main cinematic events.

“Italian Screens”, which enjoys the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Ministry of Culture, and the support of Cinecittà’s International Department, brings seven Italian previews to Bulgaria. The selection includes highly notable works such as Mario Martone’s “Fuori”, which was presented in competition at Cannes last May, with an exceptional cast featuring names of the caliber of Valeria Golino, Matilda De Angelis, and Elodie.

The program continues with a series of highly prestigious titles, including “Madly” by Paolo Genovese, “Gioia” by Nicolangelo Gelormini, “Three Goodbyes” by Isabel Coixet, “La grazia” by Paolo Sorrentino, “Gianni Versace, Emperors of Dreams” by Mimmo Calopresti, and “Orfeo” by Virgilio Villoresi.

Further enriching the event is the participation of three important figures from Italian cinema: director and screenwriter Mario Martone for the opening; actor Toni Servillo, the star of Sorrentino’s “La grazia” (scheduled for October 24th at the National Palace of Culture); and the famous costume designer Daniela Ciancio. Ciancio, who defined the visual identity of masterpieces such as “The Great Beauty” and “Maradona, la mano de Dios”, will hold a masterclass for the local audience.

The initiative was organized by Cinecittà’s International Department, in collaboration with the Italian Embassy in Bulgaria, the Italian Cultural Institute in Sofia, and Cinelibri.