Piemonte is once again in the spotlight at the 41st edition of the SIC – Settimana Internazionale della Critica — the autonomous parallel section of the Mostra Internazionale d'Arte Cinematografica della Biennale di Venezia, historically organised by the Sindacato Nazionale Critici Cinematografici Italiani (SNCCI) — with 3 titles entirely made in the region.
- "Il grande Giaffa" by Marco Santi — shot entirely last February in Cuneo and its province — will be presented as a special event screening and opening film.
- "Rider", written and directed by Roan Johnson and Davide Pavanello, aka Dade, will be the closing film of the 41st SIC.
- The short film "Gusci", directed by Elisa Chiari and Francesca Trovato and produced by Torino-based Base Zero, will take part in SIC@SIC (Short Italian Cinema), the competitive showcase the SIC reserves for 7 short films by Italian directors who have not yet made a feature film.
The President of Regione Piemonte Alberto Cirio and regional councillors Marina Chiarelli and Andrea Tronzano stated: "Piemonte's presence with three titles at the 41st Settimana Internazionale della Critica of the Mostra Internazionale d'Arte Cinematografica di Venezia confirms the quality and strength of a system that in recent years has known how to invest consistently in audiovisual production, supporting talent, businesses and local communities. Each production represents an opportunity for cultural and economic growth: it generates employment, enhances our cities and brings Piemonte to the attention of international audiences. These results demonstrate that collaboration between institutions, Film Commission Torino Piemonte and industry operators is the right path to making our region increasingly attractive and competitive. We will continue to invest in a strategic sector that unites culture, innovation, development and territorial promotion."
"Three projects, three cinematic languages, one common thread: talent. Piemonte reaffirms itself as a natural home for Italian cinema talent and for those who have something new to tell." So commented Beatrice Borgia and Paolo Manera, President and Director of Film Commission Torino Piemonte respectively, adding: "Being present across all the main sections of the SIC is not only a source of pride — it is proof that believing in and supporting independent cinema produces concrete opportunities and increasingly translates into international visibility for the entire region."
The prestigious SIC showcase once again highlights Piemonte cinema — already a protagonist in recent editions — with a presence that this year runs through the entire section: from the opening event screening to the closing film, through to SIC@SIC.
Three projects of great editorial and production value, very different from one another in language and ambition, confirm the region's ability to identify and support independent cinema and emerging talent: Marco Santi's debut feature, set in the Piemonte countryside; the originality of a project like Rider, which blends cinema and music with an eye to younger audiences; and the short film produced by Torino-based Base Zero, renewing support for the debut of young women directors.
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"Il grande Giaffa"
Opening film of the 41st SIC, "Il grande Giaffa" is the debut feature of Marco Santi, starring Edoardo Pesce and Carlotta Gamba, with Barbara Chichiarelli and Torino-based actors Roberto Zibetti and Federico Conforti.
The story of a man on the margins who, in trying to reinvent himself, loses his way through a night in which the dream of being someone else becomes dangerously real, the film was shot entirely in early 2026 in Cuneo and its province — across Busca, Cuneo, Fossano and Savigliano, in collaboration with the municipalities involved through the Regional network of Film Commission Torino Piemonte. It is produced by 10D Film and Andromeda Film in collaboration with Rai Cinema, with the contribution of PR FESR Piemonte 2021–2027 – "Piemonte Film TV Fund" call, with the support of Film Commission Torino Piemonte and the contribution of the Fondo per lo sviluppo degli investimenti nel cinema e nell'audiovisivo of the Ministero della Cultura.
Giacomo Falta is a man ignored by everyone, unable to find his place in the world. When he meets the charismatic Grande Giason, the star of the moment, he makes a reckless move, convinced that all it takes to finally be seen is to wear another face. A long night begins in which the boundary between identity and illusion grows thinner and thinner, until it disappears entirely.
Find out more about the shoot of "Il grande Giaffa" HERE.
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"Rider"
Special event and closing film of the section, "Rider" brings to the big screen an original and innovative work capable of speaking the language of new generations, blending cinema, music and contemporary imagination.
Born from the meeting of two creative worlds — director Roan Johnson and Torino-based musician and music producer Davide Pavanello, aka Dade — the feature film was shot over 4 weeks in Torino between November and December 2026. It features an extraordinary cast led by Lorenzo Aloi (Lasciarsi un giorno a Roma, La Tana) and actress and singer-songwriter Kaze (Call My Agent Italia), alongside Kyshan Wilson (Mare Fuori) and numerous artists from the contemporary Italian music scene including Johnny Marsiglia, Ensi, Axos, Rosa Chemical and Levante, with the participation of Margherita Vicario, and with Claudio Santamaria.
The feature — produced by Movimenti Production (a Banijay Entertainment company), Red Joint, Emotion Network with Rai Cinema, with the contribution of PR FESR Piemonte 2021–2027 – "Piemonte Film TV Fund" call and the support of Film Commission Torino Piemonte, and with the contribution of the Fondo per lo sviluppo degli investimenti nel cinema e nell'audiovisivo of the Ministero della Cultura — will be released in cinemas from 24 September, distributed by I Wonder Pictures.
Samuele, known as Sami, is a young delivery rider who moves through the streets of Milan every day, crossing the city from one end to the other on his bike. On New Year's Eve, while the city explodes with lights and everyone celebrates, he delivers a huge sushi order to a luxurious villa on the north side of the city. Invited to stay for the evening, Sami meets Nia, with whom he immediately feels a strong connection. But while a new love takes its first steps, a split-second decision has fatal consequences, and the young man must decide whether to face up to the consequences of his actions.
Find out more about the shoot of "Rider" HERE.
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"Gusci"
The competitive showcase the SIC reserves for 7 short films by Italian directors who have not yet made a feature film — SIC@SIC (Short Italian Cinema) — reaffirms its attention to Piemonte independent cinema by bringing to the screen "Gusci", directed by Elisa Chiari and Francesca Trovato and produced by Torino-based Base Zero, run by Enrico Bisi and Stefano Cravero.
Shot entirely in the Monferrato area of the Alessandria province, the short film was made with the support of Film Commission Torino Piemonte, which through the Piemonte Film TV Development Fund also supports the development of the feature film "Lunàdiga", to be directed by the same filmmakers.
Twelve blessed eggs protect Lucia's marriage from the evil eye. When two of them go missing, her older sister Elena is tasked with retrieving them. Together, the two set out on a sun-drenched journey through shared bonds and distances: the ritual must be completed.
