Annual Italian Film Festival Returns to Detroit in April

Enjoy award-winning films and shorts straight from the home of the Renaissance
2094
“At War For Love” opens the 2018 Italian Film Festival USA of Metro Detroit on April 4 at Detroit Film Theatre. // Photo Courtesy of Italian Film Festival USA

A nationally-touring celebration of Italian cinema, the Italian Film Festival USA of Metro Detroit, will return with even more programming than last year. From April 4-29, the annual event will offer screenings of a variety of award-winning Italian film, including dramas, comedies, documentaries, and more. Each film will be viewed in its original language with English subtitles.

Now entering its 14th year, the festival continues to expand its lineup and add additional screenings in more cities. This year’s event will see the return of the short film program, which debuted last year, and the premiere of a children’s program in Bloomfield Township. The 2018 film festival will also now feature screenings in East Lansing.

“The festival continues to grow, innovate, and bring new voices to Detroit,” says Elena Past, a festival organizing committee member.

The nearly month-long festival will kick off at the Detroit Institute of Arts’ Detroit Film Theatre (DFT) with a screening of the 2017 David di Donatello award-winning film, “At War for Love.” The DFT will also serve as the site of the Italian Film Festival’s opening and closing events. On the weekends, screenings will be held at locations throughout metro Detroit including Wayne State University, Michigan State University, University of Michigan, Chippewa Valley High School, and the Bloomfield Township Public Library.

In addition to viewing the films, movie-goers will have the opportunity to discuss select films with directors and producers. Special guest appearances will occur during the April 6 and 7 screenings of “Funne, Sea Dreaming Girls” at Wayne State University and Michigan State University, the April 20 screening of “Easy” at Chippewa Valley High School, and the April 28 screenings of “The Last Prosecco” and “Cucinì” at the DFT.

Last year’s festival in Metro Detroit drew more than 3,500 people and was the most highly attended of all participating cities and in its own history.


For the full list of films, trailers, schedules, and more visit italianfilmfests.org/detroit.