71rst Taormina Film Fest 2025
June 10 to 14, 2025 – Teatro Antico, Palazzo Congressi and other locations in Taormina
The Taormina Film Festival celebrates it‘s 71rst edition this year. It is one of the longest-running and most prestigious film festivals internationally. Over the years, the festival has attracted internationally renowned directors, actors and actresses. Some of the most notable names to attend the festival include legends such as Marlene Dietrich, Elizabeth Taylor, Charlton Heston, Audrey Hepburn, and Richard Burton. More recent attendees have included stars like Tom Cruise, Robert De Niro, Colin Firth, Monica Bellucci, John Malkovich, and Richard Gere.
This year’s festival is dedicated to all women, a choice that registers a preponderant female presence starting with the guests in attendance, actresses, directors and artists who will dialogue with students and the public. An edition of the festival that aims to be a bridge between the Italian film tradition and the international scene, and that aims to enhance the Sicilian territory and “Made in Italy,” with a rich calendar of events, important guests and great film premieres. Opening film will be the dark action-killer drama Ballerina, directed by Len Wiseman.
Lots of guests: from Martin Scorsese, guest of honor, who will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award, an acknowledgement of his contribution to world cinema, to Michael Douglas, two-time Academy Award winner, who will be the opening guest, to Catherine Deneuve who will present her latest film. Also in attendance will be Monica Bellucci, who will receive the Special International Award. The evening will be enriched by a special screening of Maléna, Giuseppe Tornatore’s 2000 masterpiece that consecrated the actress as an icon of Italian cinema worldwide. The film will be screened to celebrate 25 years since its release. Another celebrity to be awarded will be the American actress, director and screenwriter Helen Hunt. There will be more than 90 artists, including Italian and international actors, actresses, and directors present during the five-day festival.
This year’s jury is composed of leading figures from the international film scene. Chairing it is Da’Vine Joy Randolph, an Oscar-winning actress acclaimed for her intensity and charisma on the big screen. She will be joined by costume designer Sandy Powell, winner of three Academy Awards; Steven Gaydos, vice president of Variety; Ilenia Pastorelli, Roman actress of authentic and provocative style; and Alessandra Mastronardi, a talented performer also appreciated abroad.
The jury will award prizes for Best Film, Best Director, Best Female Performance and Best Male Performance. A Youth Campus jury will award the Cariddino d’oro prize.
The Full programm of the festival can be seen on this pdf (the festival only provides it in Italian language):