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!

Share This Post
The Latest
Leaders of La Jolla Music Society and its inaugural Resident Companies at The Conrad
San Diego’s performing arts scene is gathering under one roof. Resident Companies @ The Conrad returns for a second season, welcoming Art of Elan, Bach...
A first look at the Heritage Steakhouse debut menu
East County is about to get its first true five-star steakhouse. The Heritage Steakhouse opens this November in Santee, pairing a classic American steakhouse experience...
San Diego Ballet: Día de los Muertos
Discover the excitement of Museum as a Stage SDMA with performances from local companies at the San Diego Museum of Art starting this fall.
Grim Musical Comedy
Uncover the hilarious chaos in GRIM at La Jolla Playhouse as Diana navigates love and her new job in the family business.
Bach Collegium San Diego Salzburg Connections
Experience the Bach Collegium October performances celebrating Salzburg Connections with Mozart and Haydn in the city.
San Diego Made Holiday Market
Experience the San Diego Made Holiday Market with local artisans, artists, and handmade goods. Shop directly from the makers!
Recently Featured Restaurants
Pamela Peraza and Erik Hobbie have been selling sourdough at the Little Italy Mercato for a while now, and if you’ve crossed paths with their...
goop kitchen del mar
Yes, that goop. Gwyneth Paltrow’s brand just opened its first-ever dine-in restaurant at One Paseo in Del Mar, and it’s a 92-seat space she personally...
City Tacos has been a San Diego staple since 2014. What Gerry Torres is building next makes it look like a warm-up. El Punto at...
Zuma has spent nearly 25 years taking over the world – Hong Kong, Istanbul, Rome, Miami, Madrid, and more. Now they’re open in San Diego,...
Doug and Lara Hamm spent years traveling through the French Riviera, Greek Isles, and Amalfi Coast. By The Sea is what happened when they decided...
Little Italy has a new dinner spot, and it’s one that makes the whole evening feel like an occasion. Maranello just opened at 2101 Kettner...