2026 ITALIAN FILM FESTIVAL OF HONOLULU
November 13–15, 2026
Doris Duke Theatre, Honolulu Museum of Art
The Honolulu Museum of Art and the Friends of Italy Society of Hawaii, with the support of the Italian Cultural Institute of San Francisco, present the second edition of the Italian Film Festival Honolulu. Over three days, audiences will discover a curated selection of award-winning contemporary Italian films, screened in Italian with English subtitles.
The program also offers opportunities to explore the films through post-screening discussions, enjoy Italian aperitivi, and connect with fellow enthusiasts of Italian cinema and culture.
DISCOVER MORE AND PURCHASE TICKETS
PROGRAM
Friday, November 13 | 7:00 PM
LA VITA VA COSÌ (LIFE IS LIFE)
Comedy/Drama • 2025 • 118 minutes
Directed by Riccardo Milani
Starring Diego Abatantuono, Aldo Baglio, and Virginia Raffaele
In Italian with English subtitles
At the turn of the millennium, on an unspoiled stretch of coastline in southern Sardinia, Efisio Mulas, a solitary shepherd and guardian of a seemingly bygone era, defends his land against Giacomo, a developer determined to transform it into a luxury resort. Mariano, the project manager, tries to persuade Efisio to sell, while his daughter Francesca is torn between her attachment to her roots and the urgent need for change felt by her community. When the dispute reaches court, Giovanna, a local judge, must decide the case.
PURCHASE TICKETS
Saturday, November 14 | 7:00 PM
GIOIA MIA (SWEETHEART)
Family/Drama • 2025 • 90 minutes
Directed by Margherita Spampinato
Starring Aurora Quattrocchi and Marco Fiore
In Italian with English subtitles
Nico, a lively and rebellious boy raised in a secular, technology-oriented family, is reluctantly sent to spend the summer in Sicily with his aunt Gela, a devout and old-fashioned woman. Their worlds collide: he embodies modern energy, while she lives in a traditional world where religion shapes every aspect of daily life. Yet an unexpected bond develops between them, filled with humor and discovery. The film portrays an intergenerational relationship that touches the heart.
PURCHASE TICKETS
Sunday, November 15 | 5:30 PM
NONOSTANTE (FEELING BETTER)
Drama • 2024 • 93 minutes
Directed by Valerio Mastandrea
Starring Valerio Mastandrea, Dolores Fonzi, and Lino Musella
In Italian with English subtitles
A man finds a safe haven in a hospital, away from life’s responsibilities and troubles, until a new patient arrives, rebellious and unwilling to accept the rules. Their encounter disrupts his peaceful routine, forcing him to confront his emotions and discover that there is no shelter from life’s uncertainties when you choose to truly live.
PURCHASE TICKETS