From Harvey Keitel to Rising Stars: Filming Italy Sardegna Concludes with Prestigious Honors

The 9th edition of the Filming Italy Sardegna Festival, conceived and directed by Tiziana Rocca, has officially concluded, honoring an outstanding lineup of Italian and international award recipients.

In the short film category, the distinguished jury chaired by Elsa Zylberstein awarded the Filming Italy Sardegna – In Corto Prize to Andrea Castoldi for Vorrei incontrarti tra 10 anni. Among the special recognitions, IIS Ovidio di Sulmona received the Enel Award for the environmentally themed short Flora degli Alberi, while Diego Palma earned the Festina Award for Parole per domani – La Voce della Scuola. In the section presented in collaboration with Women in Film, Television & Media Italia, Ludovica Galletta received top honors for Fiori cadono, which will be celebrated this September at the Venice Film Festival during the Filming Italy Venice Awards.

The festival welcomed an impressive roster of international guests, led by honorary president Harvey Keitel, recipient of the prestigious Filming Italy International Award. The same accolade was presented to Katherine McNamara, Jeremy Piven, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Alanah Bloor, Elsa Zylberstein, Marina Foïs, Olga Kurylenko, Ronn Moss, and Euphoria creator Sam Levinson. Erin Moriarty was honored with the Filming Italy Women Power Award, while James Franco received the Filming Italy Creativity Award. Christian Madsen was presented with a special tribute in memory of his father, Michael Madsen.

Italian cinema and entertainment were prominently celebrated throughout the festival. Franco Nero received the Filming Italy Achievement Award, while the Filming Italy Women Power Award recognized festival godmother Clara alongside Sveva Alviti, Barbara De Rossi, Cristina Chiabotto, Cristina Marino, and Natasha Stefanenko. The Filming Italy Creativity Award was presented to Chiara Francini and Antonio Catania, and the Filming Italy Award went to Matteo Paolillo, Peppe Iodice (Mi batte il corazon), Letizia Toni (Sei nell’anima), Tea Falco, and Roberto Lipari. Giorgia Palmas was honored for regional promotion, and Giuseppe Ignazio Loi received the Filming Italy Best Actor Award for his performance in La vita va così by Riccardo Milani.

Among the festival’s distinguished special honors, the award established by journalist Antonello Sarno in tribute to master filmmaker Nanni Loy was presented to director Roberto Andò (Filming Italy Nanni Loy Award) and Agostina Belli (Filming Italy Achievement Nanni Loy Award). Elisabetta Pellini received the award dedicated to photographer Pietro Coccia, while Corriere della Sera cultural journalist Valerio Cappelli was honored with the Filming Italy Special Award. Festival ambassador Micaela Ramazzotti was also recognized with the Elena Mirò Award.

The festival further celebrated music icons and emerging talent. Romina Power received the Filming Italy Achievement Music Award, Nina Zilli was honored with the Filming Italy Women Power Award, and Chiara Galiazzo, I Jalisse, and Massimo Di Cataldo each received the Filming Italy Music Award. As part of the collaboration with Nuovo IMAIE for the Spotlight section, rising actresses Irene Giancontieri and Beatrice Savignani were both presented with the Filming Italy Spotlight Award.