The Italian Film Festival 2025 returns this year with a curated selection of acclaimed films that celebrate the charm, wit, and emotional depth of contemporary Italian cinema. The festival will take place on June 6 and 7, 2025, at Cinema 2, SM Aura.
Presented by the Embassy of Italy in Manila, in partnership with the Philippine-Italian Association, the festival showcases three standout films that have made waves in Italy and beyond:
- Enrico Piaggio: Vespa (2019) by Umberto Marino – A biographical drama that explores the visionary legacy behind one of Italy’s most iconic creations: the Vespa scooter.
- Quasi Orfano (2022) by Umberto Carteni – A sharp and hilarious comedy about family ties, ambition, and the chaos of identity, offering a fresh take on modern Italian relationships through the quirks of self-invention and the baggage we can never quite leave behind.
- Momenti di Trascurabile Felicità (2019) by Daniele Luchetti – A heartwarming, philosophical reflection on life’s overlooked joys, blending humor and existential musings in a uniquely Italian way.
The opening film, Enrico Piaggio: Vespa, will be screened by invitation only. Screenings of Quasi Orfano and Momenti di Trascurabile Felicità are free and open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis.
More than just a series of screenings, the festival aims to strengthen cultural ties between Italy and the Philippines through the universal language of cinema.
“Cinema has the power to provoke thought, to make us laugh, and to inspire reflection in equal measure. With this festival, we want to open a window into Italian culture and invite people in—not only to watch, but to connect.”
“This year’s edition places a special emphasis on comedies in contemporary Italian cinema, celebrating the genre as one of the most honest and revealing forms of storytelling—tackling serious subjects with wit, empathy, and sharp social insight.”
— Ambassador Davide Giglio
As part of the celebration, visitors can also enjoy an Italian cinema-inspired exhibit at SM Aura’s main atrium (upper ground level) from June 6 to 15, 2025. The exhibit will feature:
- Iconic Italian imagery, including Vespa displays and photo spots showcasing the country’s breathtaking vistas and charming locales
- A curated collection of reimagined film posters by MINT College students, highlighting Italian classics and contemporary movies filmed in Italy
The Italian Film Festival 2025 is a joint initiative of the Embassy of Italy in Manila, Philippine-Italian Association, Società Dante Alighieri, SM Supermalls, Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), Vespa, and MINT College.
Viva il cinema italiano!
For more information and updates, follow The Embassy of Italy in Manila on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ambasciatamanila) and on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/italyinph/), and The Philippine-Italian Association on Facebook (www.facebook.com/philippineitalianassociation)
