The 2026 ITFF opens in Civitavecchia with Lina Sastri, Simona Izzo, Ricky Tognazzi and Elisabetta Pellini

The 15th edition of the International Tour Film Festival (ITFF) in Civitavecchia opened today. The festival, held at multiple venues across the city with free admission, will conclude with the awards evening at the Cittadella della Musica on Sunday, October 11, 2026.

The inauguration at the Cineteatro Buonarroti in Civitavecchia featured the short film “La mancanza,” written and directed by Lina Sastri, and “Francesca e Giovanni – A Love and Mafia Story,” directed by Simona Izzo and Ricky Tognazzi, starring Ester Pantano and Primo Reggiani.

Walking the red carpet and welcomed by President Piero Pacchiarotti and Artistic Director Antonio Flamini were the festival’s beautiful patron, actress Elisabetta Pellini; actress, singer and director Lina Sastri; actress and voice actress Simona Izzo; and actor-director Ricky Tognazzi.

Representing public institutions were Pietro Alessi, Councillor for Productive Activities, Tourism, Labour and Personnel of the Municipality of Civitavecchia; Lara Anniboletti, Director of the National Archaeological Museum of Civitavecchia; Gaetano Starace, President of the Cariciv Foundation; and Gabriella Sarracco, President of the University Consortium for Civitavecchia and Honorary President of the Civitavecchia Savings Bank Foundation.

The festival’s broad and varied program was presented; the 2026 edition features 120 finalist works from 38 countries, selected from over 570 submissions, divided into 10 competitive sections, including one dedicated to Italian excellence curated by Luca Papa, the “coach of Italian Excellence.”

From October 10, the International Tour Film Festival 2026 hosts international actress Karla Sofia Gascón, known for her role in the acclaimed film “Emilia Perez,” which earned her the Best Actress prize at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival (shared with her co-stars), as well as Oscar and Golden Globe nominations for Best Actress.

The Schools section also has prominent importance, with three matinées dedicated to local students. The “Cinema and Literature” section returns, featuring daily meetings at the National Archaeological Museum of Civitavecchia, an institute of the MiC’s Regional Directorate of National Museums for Lazio.

As always, the International Tour Film Festival is a citywide festival taking place at several locations (National Archaeological Museum, Teatro Verdi, Fondazione Ca.Ri.Civ, Cittadella della Musica, Spazio Granari Off and Cineteatro Buonarroti), with free admission to all screenings and events. The festival is sponsored by MiC, the Lazio Region, Lazio Crea, the Cariciv Foundation and the Municipality of Civitavecchia, and supported by Enel, Leonori Auto and Ristorante Storico Esterina.

For the full festival program: https://www.internationaltourfilmfest.com/