N.I.C.E. (New Italian Cinema Events), the cultural organization founded by Viviana Del Bianco in Florence, returns to the United States this fall with its 35th edition dedicated to promoting contemporary independent Italian cinema worldwide.
For over three decades, N.I.C.E. has built an international network of screenings and cultural events across Europe (Dublin, Riga), the United States (New York City, Philadelphia), and Asia (Azerbaijan), showcasing the best of new Italian auteur cinema.
"Always keeping its mission clearly in mind, for the past 35 years N.I.C.E. has built a network of events around the world that showcase the best of new Italian auteur cinema. The great sensitivity and openness to all that is new in visual culture — which we have encountered in audiences throughout our travels — continue to inspire us year after year, encouraging us to embrace the many opportunities that come our way," says Viviana Del Bianco, artistic director of N.I.C.E.
The New York edition will be hosted at two prestigious venues: the historic Casa Italiana Zerilli-Marimò at NYU and the Italian Cultural Institute, the same locations that welcomed N.I.C.E.'s first U.S. edition. The screenings are supported by long-time partners and the Italian Ministry of Culture. N.I.C.E. is also twinned with Sudestival, directed by Michele Suma, a reference point for quality Italian cinema in Puglia.
"New York and Philadelphia are historic milestones for N.I.C.E., and we are especially proud of this year's selection of films: stories of growth and self-discovery that travel across Italy and connect people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds. I hope that each of you will lose — and then find — yourselves within these films. Enjoy the show!" adds Del Bianco.
N.I.C.E. will open with La Vita da Grandi (2025), the feature directorial debut by actress Greta Scarano, based on the 2020 autobiographical novel Mia sorella mi rompe le balle ('My Sister is Busting My Balls') by Margherita and Damiano Tercon, starring Matilda De Angelis. This will be followed by Duse The Greatest, the directorial debut by acclaimed actress Sonia Bergamasco. On the 100th anniversary of her death, Bergamasco takes us on an investigation into the legendary actress who forever changed her profession, inspiring subsequent generations of performers. N.I.C.E. will close on November 25 with L'oro del Reno by Lorenzo Pullega, a poignant work exploring the concept of home and roots through a man's journey to discover his origins.
Among the guests in New York will be Federico Palmerini, editor of Duse The Greatest, and director Lorenzo Pullega, while Greta Scarano will record a video message to precede the film. The festival will then continue in Philadelphia (December 5-6-7) at Penn Cinema and Media Studies, featuring a selection of seven films with remote Q&A sessions and pre-recorded videos, supported by the Consulate General of Italy in Philadelphia.
The full program is available at: www.nicefestival.org
