Celebrating contemporary italian cinema

November 18–22, 2026
SIFF Cinema Uptown, Seattle

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About Cinema Italian Style

About Cinema Italian Style

Returns November 18–22, 2026, bringing the best new films from Italy to the Pacific Northwest. Join us for five days of exceptional storytelling, special events, and a unique opportunity to experience contemporary Italy through film.

Presented by the volunteer-based and no profit associations Il Punto and the Seattle Perugia Sister City Association, the festival will feature a curated selection of acclaimed Italian films, an Opening Night Celebration, special guests, and opportunities to connect with fellow film lovers and members of Seattle's Italian community.

About the Festival

Festival line up

A selection of the best contemporary Italian films.

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Gioia mia (Sweetheart)

November 18, 2026      6.00 PM

Gioia mia (Sweetheart)

A reluctant summer together transforms into an enchanting adventure when a young boy discovers his aunt's mysterious Sicilian house holds secrets and, perhaps, ancient spirits lurking within its walls.

After the screening: Join us for the Opening Night Party at KEXP! 
Make sure to purchase the “Movie + Party” ticket to attend.

Elisa

November 19, 2026      5.30 PM

Elisa

After a decade in prison for her sister's murder, Elisa barely remembers the crime. A criminologist helps her uncover buried memories, leading her toward potential redemption.

Un anno di scuola (A Year of School)

November 19, 2026      8.00 PM

Un anno di scuola (A Year of School)

In 2007, Fred moves to Trieste with her father, enrolling in Technical High School. She becomes the only girl in an all-male class, disrupting friends Antero, Pasini, and Mitis' secret desire for her.

Brunello, Il visionario garbato (Brunello: The Gracious Visionary)

November 20, 2026     3.00 PM

Brunello, Il visionario garbato (Brunello: The Gracious Visionary)

A farmer's son transforms into a fashion mogul, building a billion-dollar luxury empire while staying true to his humanistic values and commitment to ethical business practices and fine craftsmanship.

La Gioia (Gioia)

November 20, 2026      5.30 PM

La Gioia (Gioia)

A high school teacher and a troubled student forge a forbidden bond that becomes essential to them both.

Following the screening: Q&A with the film's director, Nicolangelo Gelormini, a guest of Cinema Italian Style.

Le città di pianura (The Last One for the Road)

November 20, 2026      8.30 PM

Le città di pianura (The Last One for the Road)

Two blustery 50-somethings have an obsession: going for their last drink. One night, they run into Giulio, a shy architecture student, whose way of seeing the world and love will be transformed as the trio wander from bar to bar of Veneto.

Dov'è la fiesta? (Where is the Fiesta?)

November 21, 2026     3.00 PM

Dov'è la fiesta? (Where is the Fiesta?)

Leo and Irene have been dating for three months and they have not yet faced that moment, the one in which one asks: What are the two of us? In a few days it will be New Year's Eve and friends are pressing on: the time has come to clarify.

Meet director and co-writer Lisa Nur Sultan after the screening! 

Il rapimento di Arabella (The kidnapping of Arabella)

November 21, 2026     5.30 PM

Il rapimento di Arabella (The kidnapping of Arabella)

An Italian woman named Holly is convinced she's the wrong version of herself until meeting a 7-year-old girl who changes her perspective.

Following the screening: Q&A with the film's director, Carolina Cavalli, a guest of Cinema Italian Style.

L'amore sta bene su tutto (Love Fits Everything)

November 21, 2026     8.00 PM

L'amore sta bene su tutto (Love Fits Everything)

In Rome, a politician, a self-help author and a former pop duo face personal crises that force them to rethink their ideas about love and happiness.

Viaggio in Italia (Journey to Italy)

November 22     1:00 PM

Viaggio in Italia (Journey to Italy)

After ten years of marriage, Alexander and Katherine have grown weary of routine and begin to question their love. A journey to Naples, sparked by an unexpected inheritance, plunges them into a world of passion, chaos, and discovery, forcing them to confront what still binds them together.

This is a new 4K restoration by Cinecittà, created to celebrate the 120th anniversary of Roberto Rossellini's birth.

Amata (Beloved)

November 22, 2026     3.00 PM

Amata (Beloved)

When young Sicilian student Nunzia discovers she is pregnant, she faces an impossible choice: placing her baby for adoption. Meanwhile, Maddalena and Luca, after years of painful struggles to conceive, turn to adoption. Their lives converge, bound by love, sacrifice, hope, and new beginnings.

Che Dio perdona a tutti (God Forgives Everyone)

November 22     5:30 PM

Che Dio perdona a tutti (God Forgives Everyone)

Arturo, a Palermo real estate agent obsessed with Sicilian pastries, falls for Flora, a devout Catholic. To win her heart, he embraces religion in an unexpected way, turning Gospel teachings into daily actions, with the Pope as his unlikely spiritual mentor.

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Help bring the best of contemporary Italian cinema to Seattle.
Cinema Italian Style is made possible by our community of donors, sponsors, volunteers, and partners.
Your support helps us continue presenting outstanding Italian films and meaningful cultural experiences year after year.

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FAQ

Find everything you need to know about the festival: dates, tickets, screening and more.

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Our Sponsors

Cinema Italian Style is proud to partner with organizations and businesses that believe in the power of film, culture, and community.
Their support helps make the festival possible every year.
 

Il Punto Seattle
Bernard Law Group
Istituto Italiano di Cultura San Francisco
PFI
Dalla Terra Italian Wine and Spirits
Bakke Coffee Museum
Umbra Group
Cinqueterre
University of Washington
Seattle-Perugia Sister City Association
Gemateg
Enrica Zeggio Real Estate
Barolo Seattle
Gelatiamo
Cinecitta'
Serena
Civita Institute
Eliana Caputo Real Estate
Dante Alighieri Society of Washington
Due' Cucina
Festa Italiana
Percorso italiano
La Dispensa
Pasta Casalinga