Festival highlights global cinema

The MedFilm Festival is celebrating its 32nd edition with around 67 films from 33 countries. The event will take place in Rome from 5 to 15 November and will focus on Euro-Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cinema through premieres, tributes, and industry meetings.

Diverse film selections

Sixty-seven titles, including feature films, shorts, and documentaries, will be presented. The festival will include four world premieres and 38 Italian premieres, offering a wide range of cinematic experiences to audiences.

Themes and director's vision

Director Ginella Vocca described this year's edition with the keywords "tenacity and curiosity," emphasizing films that resonate with each other. The Official Competition includes eight titles focused on places shaped by conflicts, transformations, and desires.

Opening film and premieres

The festival will open with Only Rebels Win, directed by Danielle Arbid and starring Hiam Abbass, which will have its Italian premiere. Other films screening in Italian premieres include Summer Meadow, The Arab, Algerican Road, and Al Baraneya.

Notable international films

The programme includes Shame and Money by Visar Morina, which won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance, and Soumsoum, The Night of the Stars by Mahamat-Saleh Haroun, which highlights sub-Saharan African cinema for the first time this year.

Additional sections and tributes

In the out-of-competition sections, audiences will see films like Citizen Osama and Revolutionaries Never Die. Two tributes will honor Tony Gatlif and Mohammad Bakri, featuring their films and reflecting on their legacies.

Awards and recognition

Among the awards to be presented are the Amore e Psiche Award, the Valentina Pedicini Award, and the Award for Best Euro-Mediterranean Co-Production, each with specific monetary values and criteria.

Industry meetings and talent development

The MedMeetings sidebar will host 14 projects from 11 countries, offering opportunities for collaboration. The MedFilm Talents programme will support young filmmakers through training and industry meetings.