For the past 15 years, the San Diego Italian Film Festival has taken you to virtual journeys along with our protagonists, experiencing the passion, love, comedy, despair, and hope of life. We have learned about Italian film from scholars and directors whose insightful introductions and lectures help us understand why these movies speak to us and continue to influence filmmaking throughout the world.

But the San Diego Italian Film Festival is about more than just movies. It is about identity, history and a shared appreciation of Italian culture and great cinema– in a word, it is about community. In Italy, the piazza is the center of life and activity. Community members meet to talk over the day’s events and share the latest news, gossip or gelato flavor. It’s here that friendships are forged, romances are kindled, and stories unfold.

Our mission is to be like the piazza: stimulating, educating, provoking, connecting and sharing stories through the lens of Italian culture. Our main tool is Italian cinema, and through the lens of Italian culture we value and savor difference as cultural sharing is our main goal. We invite you to bring your perspective to our piazza and explore with us the meaning and joy of art and sharing.