There’s something magical about watching a film on the big screen. Now imagine watching it alongside the very people who brought it to life – directors, screenwriters, and actors who can answer your questions the moment the credits roll.
That’s the gift of Cinema Made in Italy, and it’s returning to London for its 16th edition.
From Wednesday 4 March, the BFI Southbank will transform into a vibrant showcase of contemporary Italian cinema, offering five days of screenings, conversations, and – for those of us who love a good behind-the-scenes insight, the chance to hear directly from the filmmakers themselves.
And what a lineup of talent they’ve secured.
The headliner: Valeria Golino in the spotlight
If there’s one name you need to know from this year’s festival, it’s Valeria Golino. The acclaimed actress and director will be attending in person, and she’s absolutely everywhere in this year’s programme – in the best possible way.
Golino appears in no fewer than four films across the festival:
- Fuori – Mario Martone’s moving drama about friendship, female solidarity, and the life of feminist writer Goliarda Sapienza
- A Brief Affair – Ludovica Rampoldi’s directorial debut exploring adultery, obsession, and revenge
- Gioia – Nicolangelo Gelormini’s gripping noir about a forbidden relationship between a teacher and her pupil
- Elisa – Leonardo Di Costanzo’s psychological thriller following a woman convicted of murdering her sister.
That’s quite a range, and festival-goers will have multiple opportunities to see her on screen and hear her speak afterwards. On Saturday 7 March alone, she’ll be participating in Q&As for Elisa (14.20), Fuori (17.20), and Gioia (20.20). Bring coffee. You’ll need it.
Also attending from Cinecittà are President Antonio Saccone and CEO Manuela Cacciamani, underscoring the importance of this festival as a bridge between Italian and British film culture.
The full filmmaker line-up
Beyond Golino, the festival has assembled an impressive roster of directing talent, all available for press interviews and audience Q&As throughout the week:
Damiano Michieletto brings Primavera (screening Wednesday 4 March, 18.40), a period drama set in 18th-century Venice where a young violin virtuoso’s life changes dramatically when she meets Antonio Vivaldi. It’s distributed in the UK by Curzon Film and releases nationwide on 24 April – so this is your chance for a preview.
Laura Samani, director of the acclaimed Small Body, returns with A Year of School (Thursday 5 March, 18.00), a coming-of-age tale about a Swedish girl who arrives in Trieste and upends the dynamics of an all-male class.
Alessio Rigo de Righi presents Heads or Tails? (Thursday 5 March, 20.15), a delightfully playful Euro-western inspired by Sergio Leone, featuring an American rodeo contest, Italian butteri (cowboys), and a murderous love triangle.
Ludovica Rampoldi – one of Italy’s leading screenwriters, known for The Traitor – makes her directorial debut with A Brief Affair (Friday 6 March, 18.00), a sophisticated drama starring Valeria Golino.
Francesco Sossai brings The Last One for the Road (Friday 6 March, 20.30), a whimsical road trip through the Venetian plains featuring two broke, bar-hopping fifty-somethings and the shy architecture student who joins them. UK audiences can catch it from 10 July via Bulldog Film Distribution.
Leonardo Di Costanzo directs Elisa (Saturday 7 March, 14.20), the psychological thriller mentioned above, with Valeria Golino in a supporting role.
Nicolangelo Gelormini follows his debut Fortuna with Gioia (Saturday 7 March, 20.20), a gripping noir adapted from a theatre piece.
Margherita Spampinato presents Sweetheart (Sunday 8 March, 15.00), a culture-clash drama about a hyper-connected Milanese boy forced to spend the summer in Sicily with his devoutly religious great aunt. Veteran actor Aurora Quattrocchi won the Pardo for Best Performance at Locarno for her role here.
Isabel Coixet closes the festival with Three Goodbyes (Sunday 8 March, 17.50), adapted from Michela Murgia’s bestselling novel, heartrending exploration of love, loss, and appetite in every sense.
A restored classic
Film lovers should also note the special screening of The Facts of Murder (Sunday 8 March, 12.30), Pietro Germi’s classic detective thriller adapted from Carlo Emilio Gadda’s novel. Presented in a ravishing 4K restoration by L’Immagine Ritrovata at Cineteca di Bologna, it’s a tribute to the late, great Claudia Cardinale and a chance to see Italian cinema history on the big screen as it was meant to be seen.
Why this Festival matters for London audiences
Cinema Made in Italy isn’t just about watching films—it’s about understanding them. The festival is organised by Cinecittà (the legendary Roman film studio), the British Film Institute, and the Italian Cultural Institute in London, with films selected by Adrian Wootton OBE, CEO of Film London. That’s a collaboration that ensures quality and variety.
For London’s Italian community, it’s a chance to connect with home through culture. For British audiences, it’s an opportunity to discover contemporary Italian cinema beyond the big international releases. And for anyone who loves film, it’s simply five days of exceptional storytelling.
The Q&A format is what makes it special. There’s something profoundly different about watching a film when you know you’ll shortly be able to ask its creator: “What were you thinking when you shot that scene?” or “How did you work with the actors to achieve that moment?”
Practical information
When: Wednesday 4 March – Sunday 8 March 2026
Where: BFI Southbank, Belvedere Road, South Bank, London SE1 8XT
Tickets: On sale now via the BFI website
London Mum’s verdict
As a London-based mum with Italian heritage, festivals like this are a gift. They offer sophisticated, grown-up cultural experiences that don’t require travelling to Italy. They’re also surprisingly accessible – screenings are timed throughout the day, and the BFI Southbank is a welcoming venue for everyone from serious cinephiles to curious newcomers.
Whether you’re Italian and missing home, a film lover eager for something different, or simply looking for a cultural night out that offers more than the usual multiplex fare, Cinema Made in Italy delivers.
And honestly? The chance to hear Valeria Golino talk about her craft across four such different films? That’s worth the ticket price alone.
See you at the BFI.
For the full programme and to book tickets, visit: https://whatson.bfi.org.uk
Monica Costa founded London Mums in September 2006 after her son Diego’s birth together with a group of mothers who felt the need of meeting up regularly to share the challenges and joys of motherhood in metropolitan and multicultural London. London Mums is the FREE and independent peer support group for mums and mumpreneurs based in London https://www.londonmumsmagazine.com and you can connect on Twitter @londonmums
