The Italian Film Festival of Minneapolis / St. Paul returns for its 17th edition from Thursday, February 26 through Sunday, March 1, 2026, celebrating Italian cinema with the most extensive lineup in the festival’s history. This year’s program features 16 acclaimed films—10 contemporary works and 6 classics—curated by Artistic Director Tommaso Cammarano and showcasing an extraordinary range of voices, genres, and styles from both emerging talents and internationally recognized filmmakers.
A centerpiece of the 2026 festival is Honoring the Twin Cities, an exclusive program dedicated to everyone living in Minnesota. This special selection invites audiences to reflect, find inspiration, and spark dialogue through the power of cinema. The festival is also honored to welcome distinguished guest Richard Peña—Director Emeritus of the New York Film Festival and one of the world’s foremost film scholars—who will introduce multiple screenings and lead post-film discussions and Q&As throughout the weekend.
With a strong focus on women directors, exciting new debuts, major contemporary Italian voices, and special anniversary celebrations in partnership with the Italian Cultural Center of Minneapolis / St. Paul, this year’s festival promises an unforgettable cinematic experience. Proudly supported by the Italian Cultural Institute of Chicago, Cinecittà, and presented in partnership with the MSP Film Society, the Italian Film Festival warmly invites you to join a celebration of the enduring power of Italian cinema to inspire, challenge, and unite.
