• Audience seated in a theater watching a performer on stage, with a large screen behind them and a starry ceiling overhead.

    Our Programs

    Our film schedule for the year

  • Audience watching a screening, with the text "Now Screening Monthly Series" overlaid in red and white.

    Monthly Series 2026

    Screening in San Diego and North County

  • Hand holding a set of metal pizza oven molds, with a red sign attached that says 'The Golden Ristretto' and a small Italian flag image, against a plain background.

    Shorts Competition

    Submissions for Ristretto 2026 - Now Open

Not just Italian films – an Italian perspective

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Not just Italian films – an Italian perspective 〰️

Our Organization

For the past 20 years, the San Diego Italian Film Festival has taken you to virtual journeys along with our protagonists, experiencing the passion, love, comedy, despair, and hope of life. We have learned about Italian film from scholars and directors whose insightful introductions and lectures help us understand why these movies speak to us and continue to influence filmmaking throughout the world.

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People dining at outdoor tables with umbrellas in a busy piazza. The background features a historic building with arched windows and a green dome, and a clock tower with flags flying nearby.
News & Events
The San Diego Italian Film Festival Announces New Board Co-Chairs
News
The San Diego Italian Film Festival Announces New Board Co-Chairs
News

As SDIFF looks ahead to its 20th anniversary in 2026, the Festival is pleased to announce Stefania Bruschi and Fabrizio Scippa as its new Board Co-Chairs, stepping into shared leadership to guide the organization into its next chapter.

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News
The San Diego Italian Film Festival Welcomes Valentina Cartareggia as New Executive Director
News
The San Diego Italian Film Festival Welcomes Valentina Cartareggia as New Executive Director
News

As it works to expand its programming and reach, the San Diego Italian Film Festival (SDIFF) has hired Valentina Cartareggia as its new Executive Director. Born and raised in Milan, Italy, Cartareggia relocated to San Diego with her family in 2023.

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News
SDIFF Spotlighted Among the Best Film Festivals in San Diego
News
SDIFF Spotlighted Among the Best Film Festivals in San Diego
News

The San Diego Italian Film Festival, led by bold programmer Antonio Iannotta, was spotlighted among the best film festivals in San Diego by Beth Accomando, Arts & Culture Reporter at KPBS.

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News
Submissions Now Open for the 6th Annual SDIFF Ristretto Awards!
Ristretto, Short Competition
Submissions Now Open for the 6th Annual SDIFF Ristretto Awards!
Ristretto, Short Competition

The San Diego Italian Film Festival (SDIFF) announces the sixth annual SDIFF Ristretto Awards, dedicated to short narratives either by Italians or about Italian culture, Italian-American identity, or more broadly for the Italian community.

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Ristretto, Short Competition
San Diego Italian Film Festival presents feStivale 2024, with the Theme of CORE
Events, Festival
San Diego Italian Film Festival presents feStivale 2024, with the Theme of CORE
Events, Festival

The San Diego Italian Film Festival presents its 18th annual feStivale, a showcase of the best new Italian cinema with a series of premieres varying from dramas and comedies to documentaries. The theme of this year’s festival is Core, a play on words between the English meaning, and the Southern Italian word for Heart. 

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Events, Festival
A Letter from the SDIFF Team
News
A Letter from the SDIFF Team
News

Our hearts are full of sadness and grief as we announce the passing of the Founder, President and Executive Director of the San Diego Italian Film Festival, Victor Laruccia. 

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News
Artistic Director, Antonio Iannotta NPR Interview
Interviews
Artistic Director, Antonio Iannotta NPR Interview
Interviews

SDIFF’s Artistic Director Antonio Iannotta was interviewed on April 16 by Marco Werman on Public Radio International’s show “The World,” which airs locally on KPBS FM weekdays at 1:00pm.

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Interviews
Monthly Series Goes Online Starting May 28 with “Il tuttofare” (The Handyman)
Monthly Series, Events, Films
Monthly Series Goes Online Starting May 28 with “Il tuttofare” (The Handyman)
Monthly Series, Events, Films

Antonio is a trainee lawyer who dreams of joining his mentor’s prestigious firm. But his boss, Salvatore “Toti” Bellastella, the Prince of the Forum, is also an exploitative tyrant.

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Monthly Series, Events, Films
View fullsize Join us this Thursday, March 26 at 7:00 PM at Digital Gym Cinema for Rapito, a historical drama by director Marco Bellocchio. đź—“ Thursday, March 26 đź•– 7:00 PM đź“Ť Digital Gym CINEMA Set in 1858 Bologna, the film tells the shocking true story of a yo
View fullsize 🎬 Join us for C’è ancora domani (There’s Still Tomorrow) at La Paloma Theatre for this powerful and inspiring film that became a true box office phenomenon in Italy. đź—“ Thursday, March 19 đź•– 7:00 PM đź“Ť @lapalomatheatre Set in po
View fullsize 🎬 Love Italian cinema? Adopt a Movie is a unique opportunity to support independent Italian films while gaining meaningful visibility in San Diego’s vibrant cultural community. ✨ For Business Sponsors, benefits include: • Brand recognit
View fullsize 🇮🇹 Join us tonight! Spend your evening at La Paloma Theatre with Follemente (Madly), a charming Italian romantic comedy that takes you inside the minds and hearts of two unforgettable characters. Funny, thoughtful, and delightfully relatable, this
View fullsize ⏳ Only one week away! Don’t miss SDIFF Presents: Women & the Arts on Saturday, February 21 at MOXIE Theatre. Join us for a special evening celebrating women’s voices in cinema, theatre, and culture. ✨ The panel discussion will explo
View fullsize 🇮🇹 Join us on at La Paloma Theatre for Follemente (Madly), a charming Italian romantic comedy that takes you inside the minds and hearts of two unforgettable characters. 🗓 Thursday, February 19 | 7:00 PM 📍La Paloma Theatre Presented in partners
View fullsize SDIFF Presents: Women & the Arts đź“… Saturday, February 21 | 5:30 PM đź“Ť MOXIE Theatre Join us for an inspiring evening celebrating women’s voices across film, theatre, and the arts. The night begins with a dynamic panel exploring the relat
View fullsize Join us tonight for Liliana at Digital Gym CINEMA! Experience the extraordinary story of Liliana Segre, Italian Holocaust survivor, activist, and life senator, in this powerful documentary that speaks to resilience, justice, and hope. ⏰ Tonight a
View fullsize Join us this Thursday for a powerful screening of Liliana at Digital Gym CINEMA! This compelling documentary tells the extraordinary story of Liliana Segre, renowned Italian Holocaust survivor, activist, and life senator, whose life is a testament t
View fullsize 🎬 SDIFF Welcomes New Board Co-Chairs as We Head into Our 20th Anniversary 🎉 The San Diego Italian Film Festival is proud to announce Stefania Bruschi and Fabrizio Scippa as our new Board Co-Chairs, stepping into leadership as we prepare for a mile
View fullsize Our hearts are full. Thank you to everyone who donated to SDIFF. With 96 donors, we raised over $12,000 to support our 20th year of Italian cinema in San Diego. We could not do this without you. Grazie. ❤️🇮🇹 Wishing our community a happy new year
View fullsize Thank you to everyone who has already supported SDIFF. Tomorrow is the final day to donate as we close out our end of year fundraiser for our 20th year. Your generosity helps us bring Italian cinema, culture, and community to San Diego in 2026. Eve
View fullsize Thanks to your incredible support, we’ve already reached $10,000 End-of-Year Fundraising Goal! Your generosity is warming our hearts and helping us step into our 20th feStivale stronger than ever. Because of this amazing momentum, we’re
View fullsize ✨SDIFF exists because of its community.✨ For 20 years, filmmakers, volunteers, audiences, and supporters have come together to celebrate Italian cinema and culture in San Diego. Together for 20 is about honoring that shared history while ensuring th
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