The 2025 edition of the Taormina Film Festival achieved remarkable public success, filling the seats of the Ancient Theatre and welcoming an array of distinguished international guests alongside captivating live performances.
According to Artistic Director Tiziana Rocca, the 72nd edition of the Taormina Film Festival, running from today through June 14, will build on this winning formula. Academy Award winner Helen Mirren will be honored as Guest of Honor for the 2026 edition, receiving the Taormina Film Festival Achievement Award during a special evening dedicated to the legendary Anna Magnani.
“Anna Magnani represents authenticity and expressive power in the history of Italian and international cinema,” Rocca stated. “Though separated by era and culture, Magnani and Mirren share a rare artistic uniqueness. Presenting this lifetime achievement award during an evening dedicated to Magnani creates an ideal bridge between two cinematic icons—united by extraordinary interpretive strength and a profound ability to move audiences. They share the same charisma and emotional depth that allow viewers to fully connect with their characters.”
On June 12, the Ancient Theatre will host a special screening of the restored version of Bellissima (1951), directed by Luchino Visconti and starring Anna Magnani. The film poignantly portrays a mother determined to launch her young daughter into the entertainment world, only to confront the consequences of her ambitions. This tribute screening celebrates Magnani’s unforgettable performance within the evocative setting of a theatre dating back to 300 BC.
The competition lineup reflects a careful selection of feature films that explore contemporary realities through original and thought-provoking perspectives. Among the first titles announced is Bear Country by Derrick Borte, presented as a special premiere event at the Ancient Theatre, starring Russell Crowe, Luke Evans, Teresa Palmer, and Nina Dobrev.
In the Out of Competition section, The Struggle for Mother Water by Michael Zelniker will be presented. This powerful documentary series examines the global water crisis while highlighting the vital role women play worldwide in protecting and preserving this essential resource.
Confirmed guests for this year’s festival include Russell Crowe, Helen Mirren, Clive Owen, Connie Nielsen, the cast of House of the Dragon, Toby Jones, Gore Verbinski, Giuseppe Tornatore, among others.
The 2026 jury will feature prominent figures from across the international film industry, including Academy Award winner Holly Hunter (The Piano), Oscar-nominated costume designer Miyako Bellizzi, renowned casting director Francine Maisler, British-Nigerian filmmaker Akinola Davies Jr., Sue Kroll, Head of Global Marketing at Amazon MGM Studios, and actor-director Pietro Castellitto.
Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Taormina—where earth, fire, and sea converge—the festival continues its legacy of attracting world-renowned talent. Recent editions have welcomed Martin Scorsese, Olivia Wilde, and Catherine Deneuve, while past decades have seen icons such as Federico Fellini, Woody Allen, Francis Ford Coppola, Elizabeth Taylor, Marlene Dietrich, Sophia Loren, Cary Grant, Audrey Hepburn, and Tom Cruise grace the Ancient Theatre stage.
Despite its international prestige, the festival maintains a distinctive intimacy, offering audiences the rare opportunity to engage directly with filmmakers and talent through conversations and Q&A sessions.
As Rocca affirms, “What I set out to do—and what we will continue to pursue—is to bring the art of cinema closer to the public, revealing its secrets.”
