The Filming Italy Sardegna Festival will return for its ninth edition from June 25 to 28, 2026, in Cagliari and at Forte Village, reaffirming its status as a premier international platform bridging cinema and television. Conceived and directed by Tiziana Rocca, the festival was officially unveiled in Rome, with an expanded program that also includes a special student-focused screening section beginning June 18 at Notorious Cinemas Cagliari.
Over the years, the festival has distinguished itself by bringing together film and television through a dynamic program of screenings, conversations, and industry presentations. This year’s edition will once again convene leading distributors, producers, and major players across both traditional and streaming platforms. The festival is presented in collaboration with APA – Association of Audiovisual Producers, under the patronage of the Autonomous Region of Sardinia, the City of Cagliari, and the Costa Smeralda Consortium, alongside Forte Village.
“Filming Italy Sardegna Festival is by now an event that over the years has grown to become a major international meeting point for cinema, television, culture, and music,” said Rocca. “Once again this year, the festival will bring major figures from the global arts scene to Sardinia, along with many new initiatives that demonstrate our commitment to continuing to innovate and create opportunities for dialogue between artists, the public, and new generations.”
Music artist Clara will serve as the patron of the 2026 edition, while acclaimed actress and director Micaela Ramazzotti joins as festival ambassador. Legendary actor Harvey Keitel will attend as honorary president, marking a highlight of this year’s program.
The international guest lineup includes Tim Roth, Kate Beckinsale, Sam Levinson, Olga Kurylenko, Katherine McNamara, Sofia Carson, Erin Moriarty, Elsa Zylberstein, and Sveva Alviti, among others. Italian talents confirmed include Chiara Francini, Matteo Paolillo, Barbara De Rossi, Peppe Iodice, Tea Falco, Cristina Chiabotto, Giorgia Palmas, and Natasha Stefanenko. Additional appearances will feature Ronn Moss, Romina Power, Nina Zilli, Jalisse, and Massimo Di Cataldo, among many others.
Festival guests will participate in masterclasses and discussions with students from schools and universities affiliated with the Cinema Academy, reinforcing the festival’s commitment to education and emerging talent. More than 50 titles—including films, documentaries, and television series—will be presented, many as world premieres.
The short film jury will be chaired by Elsa Zylberstein and include Samuel Arnold, Rosa Diletta Rossi, and Ilenia Pastorelli. Early confirmations also include Sveva Alviti and James Franco, with additional high-profile premieres still to be announced, including a major international blockbuster.
Rocca also emphasized the festival’s continued support of women in the industry. She commented, “The path for women is certainly uphill. I’ve been doing this work for many years – nine years with Filming Italy Sardegna, 11 years with Filming Italy Los Angeles – and within my festivals, I’ve always tried to support women in the film world.”
She added, “We need many more female directors who tell beautiful and interesting stories that highlight women’s roles. This year we renew our collaboration with Women in Film, Television & Media Italia, which will present three debut works by emerging female directors to the Festival audience. I think the path is now underway, so we hope that many women will choose other women. A woman must work twice as hard to prove her worth – this is a rule in all professions – so it takes a lot of determination, tenacity, and willpower.”
Special events will feature live performances by Chiara Galiazzo, Nina Zilli, and Jalisse, further enriching the festival’s multidisciplinary program.
Since its inception, Filming Italy Sardegna has hosted an impressive roster of international talent, including Laura Dern, Richard Gere, Elizabeth Olsen, Eva Longoria, Matt Dillon, Isabelle Huppert, Jane Seymour, Rosario Dawson, Matt Bomer, Alexandra Daddario, Gemma Arterton, and Brie Larson, among many others—solidifying its reputation as a key destination on the global festival circuit.
