Tiziana Rocca: 'Taormina Film Festival has a international and strongly distinctive program, for celebrating cinema in all its forms'

The 72nd edition of the Taormina Film Festival takes place from June 10 to June 14, 2026, promoted and organized by the Fondazione Taormina Arte Sicilia, under the patronage and with the contribution of the Department of Tourism, Sport and Entertainment of the Sicilian Region, the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Culture – General Directorate for Cinema and Audiovisual, the Municipality of Taormina, with the support of the Naxos Taormina Archaeological Park and the Sicilia Film Commission, and with the artistic direction of Tiziana Rocca.

"With great emotion and profound pride, we officially announce the program of the 72nd edition of the Taormina Film Festival — an event that continues to represent an extraordinary bridge between the tradition of great cinema and its future, between established masters and the new voices that are redefining the contemporary audiovisual language - says Rocca - this year we have built a rich, international, and strongly distinctive program, capable of celebrating cinema in all its forms. We are honored to pay tribute to some of the absolute protagonists of the seventh art: two icons of world cinema, Helen Mirren and Russell Crowe, and two extraordinary ambassadors of Italian cinema in the world, Franco Nero and Giancarlo Giannini — artists whose talent has left an indelible mark on the history of the silver screen. But there will be many other Festival guests, including Oscar nominee Clive Owen and Connie Nielsen, an actress known for films that have become cinematic cult classics".

The host of this edition of the Festival will be Anna Valle. An actress of extraordinary elegance and talent, with a solid and refined artistic career, Anna has distinguished herself for her interpretive versatility and charisma, ranging from performances in highly successful television series to the most intense roles on the silver screen. Her style, always authentic and incisive, combined with a magnetic stage presence, has made her one of the most beloved and respected actresses on the contemporary scene.

This year's Taormina Film Festival jury is composed of prominent personalities from the international film scene, each bringing a unique and authoritative perspective. Presiding over the jury will be New Zealand director Jane Campion, one of the most refined voices in contemporary cinema, already a winner of the Palme d'Or and the Academy Award. Alongside her is actress Holly Hunter, who, for her performance in The Piano (1993), won the Academy Award for Best Actress, the BAFTA, the Golden Globe, and the Prix d'interprétation féminine at the Cannes Film Festival. Costume designer Miyako Bellizzi, nominated for an Oscar for her work on Josh Safdie's film Marty Supreme (2025). Francine Maisler, one of Hollywood's most appreciated casting directors, nominated for the first Oscar for Best Casting in history (a category established in 2026) for Ryan Coogler's Sinners. British-Nigerian filmmaker Akinola Davies Jr., one of the most significant international cinematic revelations of 2025. Sue Kroll, Head of Global Marketing, Film, Series and Brand at Amazon MGM Studios, one of the most influential figures in the global film industry. Actor, director, and screenwriter Pietro Castellitto, one of the most original voices in new Italian cinema.

Opening the Festival is one of the most anticipated titles in the world: the third season of the HBO Original drama series House of the Dragon will officially inaugurate the festival with the absolute Italian preview of the first episode of the new season. From the stage of the Ancient Theatre, the series' stars Steve Toussaint, Tom Glynn-Carney, Harry Collett, Bethany Antonia, and Phoebe Campbell will present the premiere of the highly anticipated new season to the festival audience and to all students of the Academy Cinema Student, preceded by a big and unexpected surprise.

"One of the most significant new features of the 72nd Taormina Film Festival is the introduction of the Short Film Competition section, composed of eleven works deeply connected to Sicily through their stories, themes, and the contribution of Sicilian authors and performers - continues Rocca - this choice stems from a desire to celebrate the region, its creativity, and its extraordinary cultural heritage. This new section joins the ten films in the International Feature Film Competition, the ten titles in the Out of Competition section, and the nine Special Events that will illuminate the incomparable setting of the Ancient Theatre".

On Thursday, June 11, one of the most extraordinary actresses of contemporary cinema, Helen Mirren, will receive the Taormina Film Festival Lifetime Achievement Award during a special evening dedicated to the unforgettable Anna Magnani, when the restored version of Luchino Visconti's Bellissima will be screened in the Ancient Theatre, on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the film's release.

On Friday, June 12, the documentary film Brunello, il visionario garbato (Brunello, the Gentle Visionary) by Oscar and Golden Globe-winning director Giuseppe Tornatore, about the life of entrepreneur Brunello Cucinelli, will be awarded the Golden Globes Prize for Documentary in Partnership with the Artemis Rising Foundation.

On Saturday, June 13, Oscar-winning actor Russell Crowe will present his latest film, Bear Country, in world premiere to the audience of the Ancient Theatre, and on this occasion he will receive the Taormina Film Festival International Achievement Award, a recognition dedicated to personalities who have left an indelible mark on the history of world cinema through talent, charisma, and an extraordinary artistic career.

Also scheduled is a panel on Thursday, June 11, titled: "Women Beyond the Gaze" – a meeting dedicated to extraordinary women who have redefined their role in cinema, culture, and the audiovisual industry. Participating will be: jury president, Oscar-winning director Jane Campion; casting director Francine Maisler; costume designer Miyako Bellizzi; Oscar- winning actress Holly Hunter; actresses Donatella Finocchiaro and Paola Minaccioni; singer Malika Ayane; French actress Clotilde Courau; director Francesca Archibugi; Brazilian actress and writer Fernanda Torres; and young performer Romana Maggiora Vergano.

INTERNATIONAL FEATURE FILM COMPETITION

ANIMOL by Ashley Walters, starring Tut Nyuot, Vladyslav Baliuk; HEAR THE YELLOW by Banu Sivaci, starring Selva Erdener, Asena Hotamış; ROYA by Mahnaz Mohammadi, starring Melisa Sözen, Maryam Palizban; vTHE LEADER by Michael Gallagher, starring Tim Blake Nelson, Vera Farmiga, Jim Parsons. GOOD LUCK, HAVE FUN, DON'T DIE by Gore Verbinski, starring Sam Rockwell, Haley Lu Richardson, Michael Peña; CONGO BOY by Rafiki Fariala, starring Bradley Fioma, Dembeasset, Christy Djomanda Louba; ERICA by Taro Miyaoka, starring Ayumu Mochizuki, Meari Hayashi; GROPIUSSTADT SUPERNOVA by Ben Voit, starring Mo Issa, Berfin Sönmez, Walid Al- Atiyat;  PICCOLO MIRACOLO (Little Miracle) by Guido Chiesa, starring Marco D'Amore, Greta Scarano; LA CALLE PURA by Alfredo Chiarappa, starring Brian Darroman Capetillo, Yonder Darroman Charles.