Florence has rolled out the red carpet and 50 Days of International Cinema is now in full swing. This expansive and eclectic series of film festivals, now in its ninth edition, takes place at the Odeon and impacts programming at numerous exhibition venues, institutions and social spaces with its wide range of related events. All movies will be shown in their original language with Italian subtitles, and many with English subtitles as well, though this varies according to individual films and festivals. Full programs for many of the festivals are still being defined, but we’ve selected standout films, sections and special events at each.
Festival Internazionale Di Cinema e Donne
November 5–10
Turning industry standards on their heads, this festival showcases films directed by and starring women, and this year’s theme is Persona, inspired by the Ingmar Bergman psycho-thriller, which tells the story of a young woman who suddenly loses her ability to speak. This year hones in on human rights and how female directors and actors are approaching this topic, through works like Swedish director Anna Odell’s The Reunion. More info
Still from Porn, Punk, PoetryFlorence Queer Festival
November 11–17
LGBTI culture moves into the limelight for Florence Queer Festival and its dozens of films. Making its premiere is Michael Stabile’s edgy documentary Seed Money: The Chuck Holmes Story, and the grand finale is Before the last Curtain Falls, which looks at a once-tiny Belgian drag show that’s now evolved into an international success. Beyond the films, a highlight will be the Florence Queer Concert on November 7 at Exfila (via Mons.Leto Casini 11), a colorful celebration and statement against homophobia, where Andrea Chimenti, Feminia Ridens, Alia, Mandrake, and Cosimo Morleo will take the stage. The festival officially opens on November 11 with an 11.30pm launch party at Blume Club, featuring Berlin-based DJ Joey Hansom.More info
Still from Francofonia
Lo Schermo dell’Arte Film Festival
November 18–22
A celebration of art in film, Lo Schermo dell’Arte is back with some of 50 Days’ most diverse offerings. It opens with the acclaimed Francofonia from Russian director Alexandr Sokurov, which tells the story of how then-Louvre director Jacques Jaujard worked with a German official to save art treasures during Nazi occupation. Another highlight will be the premiere of Lisa Vreeland’s Peggy Guggenheim, Art Addict, which sheds light on the famous art collector’s tastes and patterns; Vreeland will be present at the screening. Lo Schermo dell’Arte will also feature Festival Talks, which will include a November 19 conversation between British filmmaker Runa Islam and Paris-based researcher Riccardo Venturi, just before Islam’s short films Empty the Pond to Get the Fish and Piece Unique. Don’t miss VISIO. Next Generation Moving Images, the festival’s related exhibition at the Strozzina; see this month’s Top Picks for more details. More info
Il Cinema Ritrovato
November 23–26
Revisit classics and forgotten films at Il Cinema Ritrovato, which dusts off movies that may have gotten placed far back on cinephiles’ collective ‘shelves.’ Kicking off the series is none other than Charlie Chaplin’s The Kid, an icon of silent cinema. Skipping forward several decades is acclaimed director Martin Scorsese’s Italianamerican, a departure from his standard mob movies and violent urban films. This work instead recounts his family’s experience as Italians who emigrated to New York. More info
Still from D’Arbres et de Charbon
Festival dei Popoli
November 27–December 4
Festival dei Popoli means documentary fever in Florence! This year the international festival’s Mestieri del Cinema series will put the spotlight on Polish director and photography editor Wojciech Staron through a series of his works. This edition’s Filmmaker in Focus section will be dedicated to Mary Jimenez, a Peruvian director who lives in Belgium and produces primarily autobiographical work. More info
River to River Florence Indian Film Festival
December 5–10
Italy’s only festival entirely dedicated to Indian cinema returns this year with a number of new developments. Several of them are funded by RTR’s Indiegogo campaign, which recently surpassed its goal; The Florentine is proud to have been a media partner. (You can still donate until November 15!) Highlights at River to River will include a section on Indian Video Art created in collaboration with the Art Biennial of Kochi-Muziris. A Doc India series will shift the focus to documentary films, and Bollywood blockbusters and indie movies will have their moments in the spotlight as well. More info
Still from Above Dark Waters
Una Finestra Sul Nord
December 11–13
Finnish cinema is the focus at Una Finestra Sul Nord, which features the Italian premiere of Peter Franzen’s film, Above Dark Waters, based on the director’s autobiographical novel. Although Franzen has acted in over 40 films, this 2013 work marks his directorial debut, retracing his tumultuous childhood through the eyes of a young boy. On the lighter side is The Fencer, a family-friendly 2015 film based on the true story of Endel Nelis, who escaped the secret police in the early 1950s. The family-focused festival will also host a multiple-film matinee for kids. More info
Still from Il Giovane Favoloso
N.I.C.E. City of Florence Award
December 13
50 Days festivities will close in their customary fashion when N.I.C.E. New Italian Cinema Events presents the City of Florence Award. N.I.C.E. does not currently host a festival in Florence, but instead showcases new Italian films around the globe. The organization’s annual prize is an audience’s choice award chosen by American viewers. One of the films in the running, Mario Martone’s Il Giovane Favoloso, was selected to compete for a Golden Lion at the 71st Venice International Film Festival. More info
