The Reggio Calabria Film Festival has announced that actress Ludovica Nasti will serve as the godmother for its 20th edition, scheduled to run from September 21 to 26, 2026. According to festival organizers, Nasti will join the event starting September 24 and sit on the jury for Next Actor Calabria, a talent contest dedicated to emerging audiovisual artists from the region.
Festival Milestone and Core Theme
Marking two decades of cinema along the Strait of Messina, the 2026 edition operates under the theme “Identità Viva. Bellezza Eterna” (Living Identity. Eternal Beauty) alongside the subtitle “Festival dello Stretto.” Festival President Michele Geria stated that the program bridges national industry heavyweights with local professional development. The event is organized by the Associazione Artistico Culturale Eventi, with backing from the Fondazione Calabria Film Commission, the Ministry of Culture, and the Città Metropolitana di Reggio Calabria.
Talent Scouting and Next Actor Calabria
A primary addition to the 20th-anniversary schedule is Next Actor Calabria, conceived by Hollywood & Partners and hosted at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Reggio Calabria. The initiative scouts actors, actresses, and stand-up comedians from the territory, offering the chosen talent a scholarship at the Accademia Cinema Aperto in Rome. The selection panel features Ludovica Nasti alongside Nicola Guaglianone, Marcello Foti, Andrea Quattrini, Mary Calvi, and Antonio Lange.
Guest Lineup and Special Tributes
The anniversary program features prominent figures from Italian film and television across several key sections:
- Marcello Fonte: Scheduled to appear on Friday, September 25, for the “Schermo d’Autore” screening of Asino Vola.
- Max Mazzotta: Set for appearances on September 24 and 25 regarding U.S. Palmese.
- Iaia Forte and Sonia Bruganelli: Bruganelli joins the lineup to present her book and meet the public.
- Giampaolo Morelli and Luca Lucini: Morelli stars in the final evening ceremony, while Lucini, serving as President of AIR3, will introduce the closing events and present the AIR3 Award.
In addition to contemporary talent, the festival will honor the legacy of Leopoldo Trieste, an actor and screenwriter born in Reggio Calabria in 1917, whose career helped shape Italian cinema history.
Venues and Jury Panels
Events will unfold across multiple cultural sites in Reggio Calabria, including the Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Reggio Calabria (MArRC), the Arena at Piazza De Nava, the Accademia di Belle Arti, and Boutique Rocca. Piazza De Nava functions as the hub for evening screenings and the final award ceremony on September 26.
The Millennial Movie competition features a dedicated jury chaired by Annalisa Insardà, alongside Elisabetta Rocchetti, Gianni Rosato, attorney Marianna Carroccio, and Gianfranco Stellitano. Furthermore, attorney Carroccio will present a special award focused on gender equity on behalf of Women in Film, Television & Media Italia, marking the second year of the prize at the festival.
Schedule and Organization
The official press conference for the 20th edition takes place on Monday, September 21, at Palazzo San Giorgio. Artistic direction for the 2026 milestone is managed by Gianlorenzo Franzì. Additional institutional backing is provided by the Municipality of Reggio Calabria, the local Chamber of Commerce, ANEC Calabria, and Confesercenti Calabria, alongside patromages from MArRC and other local bodies.
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