Primavera to Open Cinema Made in Italy 2026 at BFI Southbank
Cinema Made in Italy will open its 16th edition at BFI Southbank with Primavera, a new feature by acclaimed opera director Damiano Michieletto, on 4 March 2026.
The film, inspired by the life of composer Antonio Vivaldi, marks Michieletto’s move from the world’s major opera houses to the cinema screen. It stars Michele Riondino, fresh from The Count of Monte Cristo, alongside rising actor Tecla Insolia, recently named one of European Shooting Stars 2026.
The London premiere lands on Vivaldi’s birthday, an intentional nod to the composer born in Venice on 4 March 1678. Primavera had its world premiere at the 50th Toronto International Film Festival and will be released in UK cinemas by Curzon Film on 24 April 2026.
The screenplay was co-written by Ludovica Rampoldi, one of Italy’s most influential contemporary screenwriters, whose credits include Gomorrah and The Traitor. The opening night screening will be preceded by Bruno Bozzetto’s animated short Grasshoppers (Cavallette), an Oscar-nominated work first released in 1991.
Cinema Made in Italy runs from 4–8 March 2026 and will showcase ten new Italian films alongside a newly restored digital print of Pietro Germi’s 1959 classic The Facts of Murder, starring Claudia Cardinale. As in previous years, many screenings will be followed by filmmaker Q&As.
The festival is organised by Cinecittà and the BFI, with support from the Italian Cultural Institute in London. Tickets go on general sale on 15 January via the BFI.
BFI PROGRAMME LINK:
VENUE AND BOX OFFICE INFORMATION:
On-sale dates: 12 January – BFI Patrons; 13 January – BFI Members; 15 January – General public
BFI Southbank: Belvedere Road, South Bank, London SE1 8XT, T: +44 (0) 20 7928 3232
Featured image: Tecla Insolia and Michele Riondino in PRIMAVERA
Elena Leo is the Arts & Lifestyle Editor of Ikon London Magazine.
