• Our Programs

    Our film schedule for the year

  • Monthly Series 2025

    Screening in San Diego and North County

  • Shorts Competition

    Recognizing the best in short films

Not just Italian films – an Italian perspective

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Not just Italian films – an Italian perspective 〰️

Our Organization

For the past 15 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.

News & Events
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
Calabria - An undiscovered country
Italy Travel
Calabria - An undiscovered country
Italy Travel

Stunning cliffs rise from sandy beaches and rocky shores, topped by centuries-old castles that forever gaze out over impossibly azure seas.

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Italy Travel
View fullsize The San Diego Italian Film Festival (SDIFF) welcomes Valentina Cartareggia as its new Executive Director! Born in Milan, Valentina brings a wealth of experience in marketing and a passion for Italian culture. With plans to expand SDIFF’s progr
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View fullsize 🎉 Congratulations to the winner of our 2024 Ristretto Audience Choice Award! 🎉 The votes are in, and the audience has spoken! A huge round of applause to @danieldaquino80 for his exceptional work on Benzina / Gasoline! 🏆 This remarkable short fil
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View fullsize 🎉 Thank You for Another Unforgettable feStivale! 🎥✨ We are beyond grateful for your support in making this year’s festival a huge success. From magical screenings to the unforgettable feSta, every moment was made special because of YOU and o
View fullsize 🎉 Don’t miss out on an unforgettable night at feStivale! 🎉 Join us at the @mopasd for an extraordinary evening filled with live music, delicious Italian cuisine, delectable wine, and the best vibes you can imagine. Plus, we’ll be annou
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View fullsize feStivale Week 2 starts tonight with Ristretto Shorts Night II at Digital Gym Cinema! 🌟 Join us for a captivating night with an exciting selection of shorts. We are thrilled to present a special showcase of shorts finalists for the prestigious Rist
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View fullsize 🎬 Watch tonight’s screening of Io Capitano at @mopasd ✨ About the film:
From acclaimed writer-director Matteo Garrone (Gomorrah, Dogman) comes an epic and emotional journey. Io Capitano follows two Senegalese cousins as they embark on a peril
View fullsize 🎬 Our feStivale continues tonight at @mopasd with a screening of Dieci minuti (Ten Minutes)! ✨ About the film: In just ten minutes, Bianca’s life takes an unexpected turn. Through new encounters and the rekindling of old bonds, she discovers
View fullsize 🌟 The wait is over! feStivale kicks off TOMORROW with Ristretto Shorts Night I at Digital Gym Cinema! 🌟 Join us for a captivating night with an exciting selection of shorts. We are thrilled to present a special showcase of shorts finalists for the
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