Lights, Camera, Azione! San Diego Italian Film Festival Returns

This October, you can get a slice of Italia right here in America’s Finest City as our beloved San Diego Italian Film Festival (SDIFF) returns for its 18th year.

SDIFF

From Dramatic Depths to Comic Heights

This year’s festival theme, “Core,” cleverly plays on both the English word and the Southern Italian term for heart—and these films will definitely speak to yours. The lineup is a feast for the senses, serving up everything from tear-jerking dramas and side-splitting comedies to eye-opening documentaries.

The internationally acclaimed Ristretto Awards are also making a triumphant return, showcasing short films that dive deep into Italian culture and identity. These bite-sized cinematic treats pack all the flavor of a full-length feature into a compact package.

Festa Finale: A Night to Remember

They’re capping off the festival on October 12 with a celebration that would make any Italian proud. Get ready for a night of award-winning cuisine that’ll whisk your taste buds away to the hills of Tuscany, wines that capture the essence of sun-drenched vineyards, and live music that’ll have you dancing like you’re at a village festa.

They’ll also be paying tribute to Victor Laruccia, the visionary founder of SDIFF who passed away in 2021. His dream of creating a cinematic piazza where film lovers could connect lives on through every screening and every conversation sparked by these incredible films.

See you there!

The San Diego Italian Film Festival runs from October 1 to 12. Catch all the action at the Museum of Photographic Arts in Balboa Park and the Digital Gym at UC San Diego’s Park & Market.

From die-hard cinephiles to casual moviegoers, there’s something for everyone at this year’s SDIFF. We’ll see you at the movies—or as they say in Italy, “Ci vediamo al cinema!”

Get your tickets here

For more info, visit the website here. Follow along on Instagram, X, and Facebook for updates.

See you there, San Diego!

The Latest
big list of things to do in san diego this weekend
Check out this week’s Big List of Things To Do in San Diego this weekend and make your plans! From a mind-bending cocktail journey and...
Wonders of Creation exhibition at On the Steps at SDMA
On the Steps at SDMA is about to transform the museum into the coolest celebration of the Wonders of Creation exhibition. We’re talking mind-blowing music,...
top concerts in san diego this week
Here are the top concerts in San Diego this week! Our concert scene is on fire this week, featuring hip-hop sensation Latto bringing her fierce...
Pangaea Outpost 20th Anniversary
Pangaea Outpost is about to celebrate its 20th anniversary, and Pacific Beach small businesses are throwing the party of the year! This treasure trove of...
PST ART Regional Weekend workshops
The Oceanside Museum of Art is hosting two incredible PST ART Regional Weekend workshops! Led by the amazing Transformative Currents artists, these sessions promise to...
fit athletic Free yoga class
Another incredible treat for our San Diego yoga community has arrived! Fit Athletic Yoga is bringing their signature Bootcamp Yoga to The Rady Shell at...