Festivals FILM

All Festivals

A busy October for Minerva Pictures at International Festivals and Film Markets!

11 October 2024

October is packed with major events for Minerva Pictures, with significant participation in the top international film festivals and markets.

We begin with the Sitges Film Festival, the world’s leading event for fantasy and genre films, held in Spain from October 5 to 13. Among the Special Screenings is The American Backyard, the latest gothic noir film by Pupi Avati, based on his novel of the same name, featuring Filippo Scotti and Rita Tushingham, which received enthusiastic acclaim as the closing film of the Venice Film Festival. Produced by Minerva Pictures and DueA Film in collaboration with Rai Cinema, L’orto americano will be released in theaters in 2025, distributed by 01 Distribution. In the Brigadoon section, dedicated to underground and cult cinema, Monster on a Plane by Ezra Tsegaye will be presented, a film blending horror and comedy in a chaotic adventure on a flight plagued by terrifying creatures.

This week, we will also be attending the BFI London Film Festival, a prestigious event organized in collaboration with the British Film Institute, which annually celebrates the best in international cinema. This occasion offers our acquisitions and production team the opportunity to meet top talent and explore new creative prospects, including through the new Italy-UK Cinematic Bridge initiative, sponsored by Cinecittà and the DGCA of the MiC.

From October 14 to 18, we will be at the MIA – Mercato Internazionale Audiovisivo in Rome, where on October 16th’s Comin’ Up, we will showcase some of our upcoming releases: Judas’ Gospel by Giulio Base and the documentary Our Magnificent Obsession by Marco Spagnoli, celebrating the extraordinary career of Bernardo Bertolucci and his collaboration with a group of young talents who shaped cinema history. During MIA, we will also be present at the CNA pavilion with our international sales, acquisitions, production, and digital distribution teams.

Our international activities continue with the Marché International du Film Classique in Lyon (October 15-18), where on October 15, at the Rendez-Vous Des Cataloguistes, we will present a showreel featuring our 2024-2025 restoration slate, including The Cannibals (1970) by Liliana Cavani, and two of the last works by Mario Monicelli: Looking for Paradise (1995) and Dirty Linen (1999). We will also be present with our stand at the MIFC Village at the Institut Lumière, with our Sales, Library, and Acquisition teams.

At the Rome Film Festival (October 16-27), Minerva Pictures will present five major titles in competition: Miss Fallaci, the highly anticipated series directed by Luca Ribuoli, Giacomo Martelli, and Alessandra Gonnella, focusing on an unknown period in the life of Oriana Fallaci, played by Miriam Leone; Reading Lolita in Tehran, the new film by Eran Riklis, based on the international bestseller by Azar Nafisi; Ciao bambino, the directorial debut of Edgardo Pistone; and the 4K restorations of two great classics: The Seduction of Mimi (1972) by Lina Wertmüller, featuring Giancarlo Giannini and Mariangela Melato, and Borsalino (1970), a cult French cinema polar by Jacques Deray, starring Alain Delon and Jean-Paul Belmondo.

Once again this year, our Sales, Acquisitions, Digital, and Production teams will be present at MIPCOM in Cannes (October 21-24). Here, we will present the key titles from our TV catalog, including the documentary Gianni Versace – Emperor Of Dreams by Mimmo Calopresti, along with new additions to our library. It will be an essential opportunity to discuss new productions and distributions in the fields of production, digital distribution, and television.

From October 28 to November 1, we will be at TIFFCOM in Tokyo, where we will explore new opportunities for co-production and acquisition in one of the most dynamic Asian markets, while at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (November 8-24), our international sales team will present two titles in competition: Ciao bambino by Edgardo Pistone and Io e il secco by Gianluca Santoni.

Finally, we will close the month with our regular appointment at the American Film Market in Las Vegas (November 5-10), one of the most important film markets in the world, where we will be engaged with our stand dedicated to sales, acquisitions, and production.

Lastly, it is worth noting the excellent festival journey of Pupi Avati’s The American Backyard, which after being presented at Venice 81, has been selected for the Festival do Rio (October 3-13) and the Sitges Film Festival (October 5-13), confirming the international interest in this extraordinary work.

Festivals FILM

All Festivals

Minerva Pictures at the 19th Rome Film Festival!

20 September 2024

Minerva Pictures is proud to participate in the 19th Rome Film Fest (October 16–27, 2024) with a lineup that blends new stories and restorations of great classics of Italian cinema.

Among the new titles presented is Miss Fallaci, the highly anticipated series directed by Luca Ribuoli, Giacomo Martelli, and Alessandra Gonnella. The series focuses on an untold chapter of Oriana Fallaci’s life, with a stunning Miriam Leone in the lead role. Set between the 1950s and 60s, the series follows the young Fallaci, torn between Italy’s Dolce Vita and Hollywood’s star system, as she establishes herself as a journalist. Inspired by her books I sette peccati di Hollywood and Penelope alla guerra, this is a production of Paramount Television International Studios and Minerva Pictures in association with Redstring.

In the Progressive Cinema section, Reading Lolita in Tehran by Eran Riklis debuts. Based on the international bestseller by Azar Nafisi, the film tells an intense, authentic story about the power of culture as a tool for personal emancipation, particularly for women, under Iran’s regime. Through the teaching of Western literature, the protagonist creates a space for intellectual resistance against the rising influence of radical Islamic catechism. With a stellar ensemble cast, including Golshifteh Farahani, Zar Amir-Ebrahimi, and Mina Kavani, this co-production of Minerva Pictures, Rosamont, Eran Riklis Production, and Topia Communications will soon hit theaters with FilmClub Distribuzione and Minerva Pictures.

Ciao Bambino, the directorial debut of Edgardo Pistone, tells the story of Attilio, a young Neapolitan caught between his budding love for a young prostitute and the duty to settle his father’s debt after he is released from prison. The film, produced by Minerva Pictures, Bronx Film, Anemone Film, and Mosaicon Film, was created with support from Italy’s Ministry of Culture and the Campania Region Film Commission. Presented in the Freestyle section, it will soon be released by FilmClub Distribuzione and Minerva Pictures.

But it’s not just new films! Minerva is thrilled to present a 4K restoration of Lina Wertmüller’s The Seduction of Mimi (1972), starring Giancarlo Giannini and Mariangela Melato. A cornerstone of Italian comedy, this grotesque and provocative classic was nominated for the Palme d’Or at Cannes and won accolades at the David di Donatello, Nastri d’Argento, and Golden Globe Awards. The restoration was curated by the National Museum of Cinema in collaboration with Minerva Pictures, using negatives from Cinecittà Studios and the Turin Film Archive.

Finally, as we remember Alain Delon, we are excited to present a 4K restoration of Borsalino (1970), directed by Jacques Deray. A cult film in French polar cinema, it brings together two unforgettable icons: Alain Delon and Jean-Paul Belmondo. Set in 1930s Marseille, the film follows two gangsters caught up in power struggles and crime. This restoration was produced by Paramount Pictures.

Join us in Rome for an unforgettable cinematic experience, and we can’t wait to share these stories with you!

#RoFF19

Festivals FILM

All Festivals

Minerva Pictures at the Sitges Film Festival 2024!

16 September 2024

Minerva Pictures is pleased to announce the selection of two films at the 2024 Sitges Film Festival, the world’s leading event dedicated to fantasy and genre cinema, held in Spain from October 5 to 13.

The American Backyard, by Pupi Avati, presented among the Special Screenings, is a modern gothic film adapted from the director’s novel. The film blends horror with reflections on the relationship between the past and present. Starring Filippo Scotti and Rita Tushingham, along with a prestigious cast, it was the closing film of the Venice Film Festival. Produced by Minerva Pictures and DueA Film in collaboration with Rai Cinema, L’orto americano will hit Italian theaters in 2025, distributed by 01 Distribution.

Directly from Venice, Cloud by Kiyoshi Kurosawa also makes its way to Sitges. The Japanese master returns to explore the tension between realism and gangster undertones, ending on a lyrical and enveloping note.

In the Brigadoon section, dedicated to cult and underground cinema, comes Monster on a Plane by Ezra Tsegaye, a horror-comedy about a chaotic flight filled with terrifying creatures.

Sitges remains a premier international showcase for genre films, and Minerva Pictures is thrilled to participate with two of its titles this year. #staytuned for more updates!

Festivals FILM

All Festivals

Minerva Pictures closes Venice81 with a standing ovation for L’orto americano by Pupi Avati!

8 September 2024

Minerva Pictures concluded the 81st Venice Film Festival with The American Backyard, Pupi Avati’s new gothic film based on his namesake novel. Presented as the closing film, it received a 10-minute standing ovation at the Sala Grande, marking the return of the acclaimed director with an exceptional cast. Alongside leads Filippo Scotti and Rita Tushingham, the film stars Armando De Ceccon, Roberto De Francesco, Chiara Caselli, and Romano Reggiani. This extraordinary performance, combined with Avati’s direction, captivated the audience.

The plot of The American Backyard is set in 1950s America and blends gothic atmospheres, intertwining themes of remorse, memory, and the supernatural, characteristic of Avati’s cinema. With ten films presented at the Lido, Avati confirms his status as the Italian director with the most official selections.

Produced by Minerva Pictures and Duea Film, in collaboration with Rai Cinema, the film will be distributed in Italian cinemas in 2025 by 01 Distribution, generating high expectations among critics and art-house cinema fans.

This work marks the culmination of a rich lineup from Minerva Pictures, which also presented other significant titles such as Cloud by Kiyoshi Kurosawa and the documentary Twst – Things We Said Today by Andrei Ujică, along with the restoration of Lina Wertmüller’s classic Swept Away.

Festivals FILM

All Festivals

Filming begins on “La versione di Giuda,” the new film by Giulio Base!

2 August 2024

Filming has officially begun on La versione di Giuda, the new film written and directed by Giulio Base!

Featuring an international cast including Rupert Everett, Paz Vega, John Savage, Darko Peric, Tomasz Kot, and Abel Ferrara, the film is produced by Agnus Dei Production, Minerva Pictures, and Agresywna Banda, in collaboration with Rai Cinema and supported by the Calabria Film Commission.

The shoot, which will last four weeks, is set in various picturesque locations in Calabria, including Curinga, Corigliano-Rossano, Cleto, the Sila National Park, and Cosenza.

The plot follows the life of Judas, born in a brothel and raised amid hardships, suffering, and violence. Over the years, pain hardens him, and he reluctantly becomes the protector of the place where he was born and raised. However, his life changes dramatically when he meets a young man named Jesus, who saves Mary Magdalene, one of his charges, from being stoned. Captivated by such mercy, Judas decides to follow him, leading to his agonizing decision of betrayal.

#staytuned for updates and behind-the-scenes content!

Festivals FILM

All Festivals

The 4K restoration of “Slap the Monster on Page One” arrives at Cinema Troisi and the Giornate di Ciné!

1 July 2024

Tonight, don’t miss a crucial event at Cinema Troisi for the premiere of the 4K restoration of Slap the Monster on Page One (1972), a seminal work of Italian political cinema directed by Marco Bellocchio. After the screening, the audience will have the opportunity to engage in a Q&A session with the director himself, moderated by film critic Enrico Magrelli.

The restoration of the film, accomplished by the Cineteca di Bologna in collaboration with Surf Film, Kavac Film, and Minerva Pictures, has already been enthusiastically received in the Cannes Classics section of the 2024 Cannes Film Festival and at the Il Cinema Ritrovato Festival in Bologna, reaffirming its status as a timeless classic and its relevance in the contemporary context.

The journey of the restoration continues tomorrow in Riccione during the Giornate di Ciné at the Hot Corn Awards, where Bellocchio and director Andrea Morandi will take the stage to celebrate this significant cinematic conservation project. The event offers a fantastic opportunity to reflect on the importance of film preservation and the transmission of cinematic cultural heritage to new generations.

And there’s more good news! From July 4th, Slap the Monster on Page One will return to cinemas across Italy, distributed by 01 Distribution and Minerva Pictures. Don’t just hear about it!

Festivals FILM

All Festivals

Kassovitz’s “La Haine” on the box office podium: success for the 4K restoration 30 years after its release

24 May 2024

Minerva Pictures and Rarovideo, in collaboration with Cat People Distribuzione, bring Mathieu Kassovitz‘s La Haine back to the big screen in a restored 4K version, 30 years after its original release. The film, starring Vincent Cassel, Hubert Koundé, and Saïd Taghmaoui, and winner of the Best Director award at the Cannes Film Festival in 1995, quickly reached the box office podium. Released in theaters on Monday, May 13, the restoration took third, second, and again third place in the following days at the Italian box office.

The film’s restoration was also enthusiastically received during the special previews held on Thursday, May 2, and Friday, May 3, at Cinema Troisi in Rome. The three dedicated screenings, which featured director Mathieu Kassovitz and the musical group Colle der Fomento, sold out within hours of the tickets going on sale.

The film’s run will continue through the end of May, reaching a total of over 205 theaters across Italy.

The film tells the story of the suburbs of large cities for the first time, focusing on twenty-four hours in the lives of three protagonists with seemingly irreconcilable characters, who must react to the challenges of a complex and suffocating social context, still relevant 30 years later. From the beginning, La Haine established itself as a true intergenerational cult classic, becoming one of the fundamental titles in contemporary hip hop imagery, including in Italy.

This year, Rarovideo, the editorial division of Minerva Pictures, which has been digitally present for years with Rarovideo Channel on Prime Video and The Film Club, celebrates its 25th anniversary. The restoration of La Haine is just the first of many initiatives that will accompany this significant milestone.

The film covers twenty-four hours in the lives of Vinz (Vincent Cassel), Hubert (Hubert Koundé), and Saïd (Saïd Taghmaoui), three friends from the Parisian banlieue following clashes between law enforcement and civilians, after which a local boy, Abdel, is left in critical condition due to violent police abuses. The three, filled with rage and holding a gun, contemplate how to seek justice.

Festivals FILM

All Festivals

Visit Italy With Movies Training: Minerva Pictures and RUFA Launch Online Course

30 March 2024

From today, the Visit Italy With Movies Training online course is available: a digital project by Minerva Pictures in collaboration with RUFA to promote the internationalization of Italy’s image through cinema and audiovisual media. The initiative aims to develop skills related to the production, distribution, and promotion of Italian films through audiovisual productions. The course contributes to the development of emerging professions in the audiovisual industry such as Showrunner, Organizer, and Location Manager, active in both Italian and foreign projects.

Thanks to the VIWM Training platform, a free version of the Visit Italy with Movies platform developed by Minerva Pictures specifically for universities interested in joining the training program, teachers and students have access to a starting catalog of about 200 titles, which can be screened for educational activities, as well as an online course for autonomous learning to understand the importance of Italian cinema abroad and its role in the international film context through case studies, interviews with industry experts, clips, and full-length films available for streaming, along with exercises of various levels to turn theory into practice. The course was created by Prof. Francesco Pennica, a director of photography, filmmaker, and producer of films, documentaries, music videos, series, and television programs made in Italy and abroad.

From today, access to the course is available through registration on the website visititalywithmovies.com.

Festivals FILM

All Festivals

Tonight on Sky Arte: ‘Bene! The Life of Carmelo, the Actor Machine’ directed by Samuele Rossi

16 March 2024

Premiered at the 2023 Festival dei Popoli, the new docufilm directed by Samuele Rossi, Bene! Vita di Carmelo, la macchina attoriale, arrives exclusively on Sky Arte! A journey into the life and artistic legacy of Carmelo Bene, a giant of 20th-century thought and culture, undisputed protagonist of the Italian and European theatrical scene, masterfully portrayed by Filippo Timi.

Produced by Echivisivi and Minerva Pictures, Bene! Vita di Carmelo, la macchina attoriale will air exclusively on Sky Arte on Saturday, March 16, at 9:15 PM, also available for streaming on NOW and on demand.

The documentary film is produced with the sponsorship of the Archivio Carmelo Bene, in collaboration with the Fondazione Teatro Toscano – Centro studi La Pergola Firenze.

Festivals FILM

All Festivals

Pupi Avati’s “The American Garden” selected at De Rome à Paris 2024

26 January 2024

The De Rome à Paris festival, now in its 16th edition, returns to the Ville Lumière to celebrate Italian cinema in an intense day of professional encounters. We are delighted to announce that today, on January 26, Minerva Pictures will take center stage by presenting the preview of The American Garden in the Works in Progress section.

This new gothic genre film, adapted from Pupi Avati‘s novel of the same name, is directed by the Maestro himself and is currently in post-production. The cast features Filippo Scotti, who has already won the Marcello Mastroianni Award at the Venice Film Festival for The Hand of God (2021) by Paolo Sorrentino, alongside the award-winning British actress Rita Tushingham.

De Rome à Paris is organized by Cinecittà in collaboration with the General Directorate of Cinema and Audiovisual of the Ministry of Culture, CNC, and Unifrance.

This is an unmissable event that underscores Minerva Pictures’ ongoing commitment to bring high-quality Italian cinema to the international stage. We look forward to welcoming you today at the CNC (Centre national du cinéma et de l’image animée) for this extraordinary preview!

Festivals FILM

All Festivals

VIWM TRAINING: a training program in collaboration with RUFA for the development of skills in the Italian audiovisual industry

28 December 2023

Visit Italy With Movies is a digital project by Minerva Pictures, in partnership with RUFA, a film production and distribution company celebrating its seventieth anniversary this year. The project aims to promote the internationalization of Italy’s image through cinema and audiovisual content, emphasizing its significant value for the cultural and tourism industries.

Catering to cinephiles, lovers of Italian culture, and tourists worldwide, Visit Italy With Movies provides a virtual space where users can discover and, with a click, explore the locations where their favorite films were shot. The platform also shares anecdotes and trivia surrounding film scenes, actors, and directors, offering insights both in front of and behind the camera. From territories to films and vice versa, it presents cineturismo in a novel light, with the goal of supporting Italian cultural production abroad and increasing the presence of Italian locations in foreign productions.

The VIWM TRAINING 2024 project, in collaboration with RUFA, is an initiative focused on fostering skills related to the production, distribution, and promotion of Italian audiovisual productions. The program aims to develop new roles in the audiovisual industry, such as Showrunner, Organizer, and Location Manager, active in both Italian and foreign projects.

Through the VIWM TRAINING platform, a free version of the Visit Italy With Movies platform tailored for universities, instructors, and students have access to a starting catalog of approximately 200 titles. These films can be screened for educational activities, accompanied by a self-paced online course. The course delves into the importance of Italian cinema abroad and its role in the international cinematic landscape through case studies, expert interviews, clips, full-length films available for streaming, and practical exercises. The course is curated by Professor Francesco Pennica, a director of photography, filmmaker, and producer of films, documentaries, music videos, series, and television programs produced both in Italy and abroad.

Among the iconic titles that have shaped the history of Italian cinema and are available on the platform for use in the course:

1. The Garden of the Finzi-Continis (Ferrara)
2. The Conformist (Rome)
3. Caliber 9 (Milan)
4. One Hundred Steps (Sicily)
5. The Seduction of Mimi (Catania, Turin)
6. The Marquis of Grillo (Rome, Monterano Lucca, Amelia)
7. Too Bad She’s Bad (Rome)
8. Adua and Her Friends (Rome)
9. The Sunday Woman (Turin)
10. Poverty and Nobility (Naple)
11. La Bella di Lodi (Modena, Bologna, Venice and Lodi)
12. The Bloodstained Shadow (Veneto)
13. Be sick… It’s free (Rome)
14. The Visit (San Benedetto Po, Rome, Ferrara)
15. Come Have Coffee with Us (Luino, Cuvio, Varese)
16. The Stolen Children (Milan, Bologna, Rome, Calabria, Sicily)
17. Conversation Piece (Rome)
18. The Scent of the Night (Rome)
19. Double Game (Turin)
20. Rice Girl (Novara)