Cinema Made in Italy Returns to London with a Star-Studded Line-Up

Elena Leo is the Culture & Lifestyle Editor of Ikon London Magazine.

BFI Southbank hosts the 16th edition of Cinema Made in Italy, showcasing the best of contemporary Italian cinema from 4–8 March 2026.

London’s annual celebration of Italian film is back. Cinema Made in Italy returns to BFI Southbank for its 16th edition, offering five days of fresh Italian cinema, lively filmmaker Q&As, and a chance to experience some of the country’s most exciting new work. The festival runs from 4–8 March 2026.

The programme mixes established names and new voices, with ten brand-new films alongside a 1959 classic, The Facts of Murder (Un Maledetto Imbroglio). Notably, four titles are directed by women, highlighting the festival’s commitment to diverse perspectives in Italian cinema.

The festival opens with Primavera, the first feature from acclaimed opera director Damiano Michieletto, starring Tecla Insolia and Michele Riondino. Other highlights include A Brief Affair, Ludovica Rampoldi’s directorial debut starring Valeria Golino, Mario Martone’s literary biopic Fuori, and Margherita Spampinato’s award-winning Sweetheart (Gioia Mia). Fans of playful Euro-westerns won’t want to miss Heads or Tails? (Testa o Croce?), starring John C. Reilly, while the heartfelt Three Goodbyes (Tre Ciotole) brings Isabel Coixet’s signature emotional touch.

Organised by Cinecittà and the BFI, with support from the Italian Cultural Institute in London, the festival gives audiences a rare chance to meet the filmmakers and explore Italy’s latest cinematic voices. The full screening schedule will be announced soon.

Cinema Made in Italy 2026 – BFI Southbank, London
Dates: 4 – 8 March 2026
Films Include:
A Brief Affair – Ludovica Rampoldi
A Year of School – Laura Samani
Elisa – Leonardo Di Costanzo
Fuori – Mario Martone
Heads or Tails? – Alessio Rigo de Righi & Matteo Zoppis
Gioia – Nicolangelo Gelormini
Primavera – Damiano Michieletto (UK Distributor: Curzon Film)
Sweetheart – Margherita Spampinato
The Facts of Murder – Pietro Germi
The Last One for the Road – Francesco Sossai (UK Distributor: Bulldog Film Distribution)
Three Goodbyes – Isabel Coixet