After four days full of emotions, including appreciated screenings, lively debates and the presence of big names in cinema, the Pompeii International Film Festival comes to life today with an in-depth study dedicated to the link between the seventh art and customs.
At the heart of this day is the long-awaited tribute to director Gianni Amelio , who will present his film Hammamet and meet the public.
Tomorrow, Saturday, June 7th, the spotlight will shift to the theme of "Cinema and Tourism," with Neri Parenti as the protagonist , ready to share his stories with anecdotes and laughter. The grand finale is expected for Sunday evening at the Teatro Grande degli Scavi , with the awards ceremony, live music, and celebrations dedicated to the excellence of Italian cinema.
Highlights of the first four days
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Tuesday, June 3 : The Festival opened with an elegant red carpet and the premiere of Stabat Mater . A throng of guests, press, and enthusiasts greeted the event at the Nexus Cinema in the MaxiMall Pompeii, immediately demonstrating the winning combination of great cinema and archaeological context.
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Wednesday, June 4 : The "Cinema and Territory" panel explored how film can become a catalyst for cultural regeneration. Among the most applauded speakers were those of the Mayor of Torre Annunziata, Corrado Cuccurullo, and the Director of the Pompeii Archaeological Park, Gabriel Zuchtriegel. In the afternoon, Marco Risi's 74th birthday was celebrated with a screening of Fortapàsc and an insightful conversation with the film's director.
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Thursday, June 5 : The "Cinema and Language" panel focused on the role of the silver screen in shaping contemporary Italian. Professor Rosario Coluccia of the Accademia della Crusca, along with Alessandro Cecchi Paone, led reflections on how dialogue, expression, and film style influence everyday communication. Meanwhile, short and feature-length films from every continent were circulating.
Today: the great tribute to Gianni Amelio and the world of Costume in cinema
Friday 6th June – Theme: “Cinema and Costume”
Today explores how the evolution of on-screen mores reflects social change and creative trends. The morning panel (09:30–10:50) will feature:
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09:30 – 09:35 | Welcome and greetings – Annarita Borelli introduces the session
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09:35 – 09:43 | Artistic Intro – Enrico Vanzina opens the discussion
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09:43 AM – 09:58 AM | "Customs and Society: How Wardrobes Recount an Era" – Professor Maria Luisa Iavarone (University of Naples "Parthenope")
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09:58 AM – 10:13 AM | “Visual Identity: From Storyboard to Catwalk” – Roberta Guidi di Bagno, set and costume designer
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10:13 – 10:23 | “Innovating Costume Design: From Tradition to the Avant-Garde” – Romualdo Petti (Accademia Liliana Paduano)
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10:23 – 10:45 | Q&A with the audience
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10:45–10:50 | Conclusions – Annarita Borelli
In the afternoon, from 14:00–16:00 PM , Gianni Amelio's Hammamet will be screened , followed by an exclusive conversation with the director and Luan Amelio Ujkaj (16:00–18:00 PM). Rounding out the evening program (18:00–20:00 PM), two international titles sure to surprise audiences:
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Life is Another Thing (Mexico/Italy co-production)
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Let's Meet at Angie's Bar (Japan)
Tomorrow: Cinema as a Springboard for Tourism
Saturday 7th June – Theme: “Cinema and Tourism”
The Festival will continue on Saturday with a reflection on how films can become a driver of economic and cultural development for territories. The panel (11:00–12:30) includes:
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11:00 – 11:05 | Opening Ceremony – Annarita Borelli presents the topic
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11:05 – 11:15 | Greetings and Introductory Notes – Enrico Vanzina
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11:15 – 11:35 | “Cinema and Tourism: Cultural Promotion Strategies” – Professor Domenico Apicella (University of Salerno)
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11:35 – 11:55 | “Acting Places: Travel and Sets Between Fiction and Reality” – Sergio Assisi, actor and director
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11:55 – 12:25 | Round table and discussion – questions from the audience
From 12:30 to 14:00 PM , a special screening: My Kingdom for a Butterfly by Sergio Assisi. In the afternoon (14:00–16:00 PM), an unmissable screening of the cult comedy Fantozzi, directed by Neri Parenti , will be held, followed by a meeting (16:00–18:00 PM) with the director. The day concludes (18:00–20:00 PM) with two internationally inspired films:
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Dans la cuisine des Nguyen (France)
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Sally's Memory (China)
The grand finale: awards ceremony and show at the Teatro Grande
Sunday 8 June – Closing Ceremony (20:30pm–22:50pm)
Location: Teatro Grande – Pompeii Archaeological Park
In the magical atmosphere of the Teatro Grande, the winners of the Best Feature Film and Best Short Film categories will be announced on Sunday evening. Lifetime Achievement Awards will also be presented to actor Luca Ward and director Neri Parenti , who embody the perfect blend of history and Italian comedy. The evening will be enriched by several musical performances:
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Maestro Domenico Sepe with violinist Marta Pignataro
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The soprano Lucia Rubedo
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The vocal group Soul Food Vocalist , supported by the Italian Army Band Orchestra
In a unique setting, among the thousand-year-old ruins and the charm of the big screen, the Pompeii International Film Festival closes this edition with a hymn to creativity, beauty and cultural sharing.
The Pompeii International Film Festival awaits you for an unforgettable weekend: with distinguished guests, themed insights, and top international productions, the magic of cinema blends with the uniqueness of one of the world's most extraordinary archaeological sites. Don't miss it!
The film festival in Pompeii looks really interesting, but I am not sure if the choice of films is right for the audience. Many modern films do not appeal to everyone. I hope there will be classic films as well.