FRED Film Radio - English Channel

Boosting regional film industries and attracting international productions are primary goals for Italian film commissions. Prominent organisations like the Veneto Film Commission, Valle d’Aosta Film Commission, and Film Commission Torino Piemonte play crucial roles in this effort. These entities offer tailored support, facilitate location filming, and promote local talent, making Italy a prime destination for filmmakers worldwide. Talking with Jacopo Chessa, Alessandra Miletto and Paolo Manera we understand better how their collaborative actions foster vibrant local cultures and enhance Italy’s presence in the global film scene.

The Veneto Film Commission is instrumental in promoting the Veneto region as a versatile filming location. By offering comprehensive location services and supporting local production companies, the organization aims to boost regional cinema. The commission actively participates in international markets and festivals, showcasing Veneto’s scenic sites and production capabilities to attract foreign projects. Its efforts are aligned with national strategies to elevate Italy’s profile as a top film destination, ensuring regional details are highlighted on the global stage.

The Valle d’Aosta Film Commission, despite being one of Italy’s smallest, adopts a highly personalized approach to film support. It provides close assistance to filmmakers working within its limited scope, ensuring high-quality service and fostering long-term collaborations. The commission emphasises facilitating storytelling rooted in local culture and landscapes, positioning Valle d’Aosta as an attractive destination for independent and regional projects. Their dedicated support reflects their commitment to nurturing filmmaking talent within a compact, yet vibrant, setting.

The Film Commission Torino Piemonte is a key player in Italy’s film industry, especially through its active involvement in international events like the Torino Film Industry (TFI). By organising panels, supporting co-productions, and facilitating connections between producers and regional storytellers, they promote Turin and its surroundings as a hub for new cinema. Their strategic participation in festivals and markets ensures that local narratives reach a broader audience and that Torino remains a vital, connected city within Italy’s cinematic ecosystem.

With organisations like the Veneto Film Commission, Valle d’Aosta Film Commission, and Film Commission Torino Piemonte driving initiatives, Italy continues to strengthen its position as a leading film production hub. These commissions not only support local projects but also play a vital role in positioning Italy’s diverse regions on the international map of cinema. Their efforts demonstrate how regional film commissions are fundamental to Italy’s ongoing success in the global film industry.

This interview was recorded in partnership with the Italian Film Commissions Association and with the support of the Italian Trade Agency.

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Untitled Home Invasion Romance, actor Jason Biggs’ directorial debut, just had its world premere at the 43rd Torino Film Festival. The actor turned director came to Italy with his italian passport, as he is of italian origins, to present the film to the italian audience.

Untitled Home Invasion Romance blends dark comedy, romance, and thriller elements. As he was literally born in comedy, Jason Biggs decided to not only direct a comedy but to add black comedy elements to sort of creating a distance from his work as an actor.

Premiering in Italy, the film is set to be released in the US just before Valentine’s Day, positioning it as both a romantic and suspenseful experience. Jason Biggs, known for his comedic talent, takes a surprising turn into dark comedy and thriller territory, aiming to create a film that showcases love’s acceptance even in twisted and unsettling scenarios. This debut film is a testament to his desire to explore darker themes while maintaining a romantic core.

For Jason Biggs, the untitled home invasion romance was always intended to be a balance of romance, thriller, and dark comedy. He emphasized that the film shows love as a form of acceptance, even of flaws and particularities, making it more than just a thriller — it’s a romantic comedy with a twist. The film’s creation was also a personal journey, with Biggs acting in the film as well as directing, navigating the challenges of a tight schedule and a modest budget. The result is a film that combines suspense, humor, and genuine emotional depth, making Untitled Home Invasion Romance a standout at the festival.

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From Locarno Piazza Grande to the italian premiere, out of competition, at the 43rd Torino Film festival, “The Birthday Party” marks Miguel Ángel Jiménez’s comeback at directing after “Window to the Sea” in 2019.

The film is based on Panos Karnezis’s book by the same title and it explores the complex dynamics of family and authority.

“The Birthday Party” centers on a family under the shadow of a patriarch, played by Willem Dafoe,  whose control and tyranny create a tense, claustrophobic atmosphere. The film vividly portrays how childhood trauma and unchecked authority can influence personal relationships. Through its compelling characters, the movie examines the often-troubled bonds that define family life, revealing the fine line between love and domination.

Miguel Ángel Jiménez says: “The Birthday Party is a film about power, legacy, love mistaken for possession, and the quiet violence within privilege – set on a paradise island that slowly reveals itself as a prison.”

Set against the lush backdrop of Corfu, “The Birthday Party” uses its location to symbolize both paradise and confinement as it is confirmed by director Jiménez. The island’s jungle-like landscape, a microcosm, contrasts with the story’s darker themes of control and repression. The filmmaker intentionally shifted the visual tone from idyllic to oppressive, utilizing sound and cinematography to mirror this descent into a cage-like environment, heightening the audience’s emotional engagement with the narrative.

The film’s success is partly due to the outstanding performance of Willem Dafoe, whose portrayal adds layers of complexity to the patriarch’s character. His involvement allowed the director to inject nuance and authenticity into the role, emphasizing that even villains can be driven by motives rooted in love or trauma.

In his director’s notes, Miguel Ángel Jiménez writes: “This is an actors’ film. I tried to make sure my staging and the energy on set always served them. What a privilege it was to work with Willem Dafoe, sober and powerful, a master of stillness and presence. Watching him act is like looking at the sky, waiting for a shooting star. Even if he doesn’t move, something extraordinary always happens”.

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“The teacher” by Farah Nabulsi, is finally being presented in Italy thanks to the 43rd Torino Film Festival. After having its world premiere at the Toronto Film festival and traveling the world around the world, the film is coming out in italiano cinemas on December 11th.

“The teacher“stands out as a compelling cinematic exploration of resilience, love, and the quest for justice within the Palestinian context. The film centers on a Palestinian school teacher who strives to guide his students amidst ongoing conflict, embodying the spirit of resistance and hope. As a documentary-thriller hybrid, it captures the emotional and political layers of life under occupation, highlighting the profound sacrifices made by those fighting for dignity and freedom.

The film’s protagonist, a dedicated Palestinian teacher, played by Saleh Bakri, characterizes the resilience of a community fighting to preserve its identity and future. The teacher’s role goes beyond academics, becoming a symbol of hope and strength for young Palestinians facing daily challenges.

“ I wanted to go into detail and tell a more personal story about someone who lives that reality, and explore the real conditions, human experiences, and emotions that drive a person to make certain choices and take certain actions; as is the case for our protagonist, Basem, and his student Adam, and indeed also for Simon, our Jewish-American father in the film, whose son has gone missing” says director Nabulsi

“The teacher” explores complex emotions, particularly the tension between love and justice, and the line between revenge and resilience. It portrays a story where a parent’s love and protection intertwine with the pursuit of justice, reflecting the struggles Palestinians face in a landscape of systemic dehumanization.

“This is for me the story about the love of a parent – declares Farah Nabulsi in this interview – and about the pursuit of justice and what can happen to somebody if justice is not is not dealt”

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After having its world premiere at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, where it won the Special Jury Award for Freedom of Expression, the documentary “Coexistence, My Ass!” by Amber Fares has been presented at the 43° Torino Film Festival before landing italian cinemas at the beginning of 2026, distributed by Wanted

The film follows Israeli activist and performer Noam Shuster Eliassi as she creates a comedy show by the same name. Filmed over the course of five tumultuous years, it traces Noam’s personal, professional and political journey.

Amber Fares lived in the West Bank while she was making the documentary “Speed Sisters“. It was then that she met Noam Shuster in a bar in Ramallah with her Palestinian friends.

The director started filming with Noam in 2019 when she moved to Boston to build her one-woman show at Harvard and followed her journey along 5 years, as it took many surprising turns since then, as has our world.  She’s had to navigate growing attacks on dissent from her own society, and of course the near-total destruction of Gaza.

The film is composed by scenes of Noam’s participation to protests as a political activist and extracts from her path and her mission as a stand up comedian with a very clear mission. Amber Fares explains how she balanced and intertwined these two aspects in the film.

The documentary places significant emphasis on the phrase “Coexistence, My Ass!”  as a provocative statement against false notions of harmony in conflict zones. It showcases Noah’s efforts to use comedy and activism to confront stereotypes and injustices. The film proves that beneath the surface of political tension, there are rich personal lives and voices that often go unheard, emphasizing that true coexistence requires genuine understanding and engagement rather than superficial agreements.

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Mounia Akl, author of the acclaimed “Costa Brava, Lebanon“, is at the Torino Film Lab with the project of her new film “Hold me (If You Want)”. We met with her to discover more about it.

In the film “Hold Me (If You Want)“, the main keyword, holds the audience’s attention by delving into the complex themes of mental health, resilience, and personal chaos. The story focuses on a woman navigating a collapsing Lebanon, creating a facade of perfection while battling terrifying sleep terrors. The narrative explores how repression can backfire, leading her to confront her deepest fears within a psychiatric institution, where she finds a strange sense of comfort among others who are also struggling. This evocative film offers a contemporary reflection on how individuals cope with internal and external disorder.

“Hold Me (If You Want)” is more than just a compelling drama; it captures a universal experience of holding onto certainties amidst chaos. The title itself invites viewers to consider the importance of human connection and vulnerability in fragile times. The film’s portrayal of mental health challenges shines a spotlight on the cultural stigma surrounding mental illness, particularly within Lebanese society where such issues have historically been taboo. By confronting these themes, “Hold Me (If You Want)” underscores the necessity of opening conversations about mental well-being and accepting imperfections.

Mounia Akl’s personal connection to the story enriches the narrative’s authenticity. Inspired by their own experiences growing up in Lebanon and witnessing the silence surrounding mental health, the director aims to normalize these struggles. The film’s focus on a woman’s dissociative coping mechanisms reflects a broader cultural context where resilience is often masked by an image of strength and perfection. “Hold Me (If You Want)”  ultimately advocates for embracing one’s vulnerabilities and acknowledging that true connection begins with honesty, making this a vital contribution to contemporary cinema.

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“9 Temples To Heaven” has been awarded with the Torino Film Lab Fund. We met with the film director Sompot Chidgasornpongse, to talk about the film and the TFLab experience.

The “9 Temples to Heaven” are more than just religious sites; they represent a cultural tradition deeply rooted in Thai Buddhism. Traveling to nine temples in one day to make merit is believed to generate the highest amount of good karma, especially since nine is considered a lucky number in Thailand. This practice is often performed by families seeking blessings for their loved ones, emphasizing the importance of faith, ritual, and community cohesion. The film vividly portrays this tradition, illustrating its significance in contemporary Thai society.

In the film, the “9 Temples to Heaven” serve as a powerful backdrop for exploring familial bonds and individual beliefs. The story centers around a family undertaking this pilgrimage to prolong the grandmother’s life and foster unity despite their differing convictions. The repeated ritual of visiting nine temples underscores themes of hope, love, and the complexities of faith. The film also subtly comments on societal issues, reflecting how collective rituals can serve as a metaphor for unity amid diversity, echoing broader social dynamics.

The tradition of visiting the “9 Temples to Heaven” encapsulates more than religious observance; it embodies familial love and cultural identity. As shown in the film, the act brings together family members with varying beliefs, illustrating the unifying power of shared rituals. Sompot Chidgasornpongse emphasizes that, whether or not such practices directly influence outcomes like health or luck, they strengthen bonds and provide a sense of collective hope. The portrayal of this tradition highlights its enduring emotional significance in Thai life and its reflection of societal values, resonating with audiences worldwide through the lens of the “9 Temples to Heaven”.

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We met with Andrea Rocco, director of the Sardegna Film Commission, to talk about the state of the art of his institution in terms of activities and projects.

The Sardegna Film Commission plays a vital role in transforming Sardinia into a compelling filming location by offering comprehensive support to filmmakers. With a well-structured system of funds that cover various stages of production, development, and distribution, the commission facilitates a seamless experience for film crews shooting on the island. Their dedicated services include location scouting, logistical assistance, and financial incentives, making Sardinia an attractive destination for both local and international productions.

The Sardegna Film Commission is committed to providing tailored support for film projects that come to shoot in Sardinia. They manage multiple funding opportunities—some directly overseen by the commission and others managed by regional authorities—that can often be combined by producers to maximize financial support. In addition to funding, the commission offers valuable services such as location scouting and logistical advice, ensuring that productions can navigate the unique environment of Sardinia efficiently. Their integrated approach helps attract diverse audiovisual projects, from large-scale films to smaller independent productions.

Looking ahead, the Sardegna Film Commission is working on new initiatives to strengthen Sardinia’s position as a premier filming location. A notable development is a new fund aimed at supporting the distribution of major projects shot on the island, enhancing visibility and commercial reach. Additionally, the commission prioritizes training local professionals to sustain long-term growth in the regional film industry. By investing in workforce development and fostering collaboration between local talents and incoming productions, the Sardegna Film Commission ensures that Sardinia remains a vibrant hub for filmmaking. Their ongoing efforts highlight the strategic importance of the Sardegna Film Commission in promoting Sardinia’s cinematic appeal.

This interview was recorded in partnership with the Italian Film Commissions Association and with the support of the Italian Trade Agency.

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Lucy Kerr and her film project “The Passions Of Angela Simmons” participated at the Torino Film Lab Event, in Torino, where she was included in the Feature Lab section. We met and talked about the film and her presence at the TFLab.

“The Passions of Angela Simmons” is more than just a story; it’s a reflection of personal struggles wrapped in the traditions of Southern American society. The film follows Angela, a young woman caught between her past as a ballet dancer and her present role as a debutante. The narrative explores her emotional journey from grief to obsession, highlighting her internal conflicts and societal pressures. The film’s nuanced storytelling invites viewers to question conformity and authority within a rigid cultural framework.

The film also draws from real-life experiences that resonate universally. The director’s background as a former dancer who faced injury and societal expectations informs the story’s authenticity. “The Passions of Angela Simmons” is a vivid portrayal of how personal trauma can inspire artistic expression and elevate social commentary. Its genre-blending approach—combining gothic elements, psychological thriller, and drama—creates a layered cinematic experience that appeals to diverse audiences.

At its core, “The Passions of Angela Simmons” examines the tension between individual identity and societal roles. The film grapples with themes of gender, class, and trauma, emphasizing how traditions serve as both a backdrop and a barrier to self-empowerment. Through Angela’s transformation, the film questions whether cultural rituals like debutante balls are relics of the past or pathways to self-acceptance.

The narrative’s gothic aesthetic and suspenseful elements deepen the exploration of repression and awakening. As Angela’s story unfolds, viewers witness her struggle to reconcile her passions with her societal duties, creating a compelling commentary on human resilience. The film’s rich symbolism and layered storytelling encourage reflection on how personal passions can be suppressed or rediscovered amidst societal expectations.

The film’s genre-bending style, from gothic to psychological thriller, sets it apart within contemporary cinema. Its aesthetic choices evoke a haunting atmosphere that underscores the protagonist’s internal turmoil. “The Passions of Angela Simmons” is designed to evoke emotional depth and suspense, making it accessible to a broad audience while also offering layered interpretations for cinephiles.

The creative team’s personal insights add further depth to the project. The writer-director’s own experiences with injury and societal expectations have influenced the character development and thematic focus. This blend of personal history and artistic experimentation elevates “The Passions of Angela Simmons” into a captivating film that challenges viewers’ perceptions of tradition and identity.

In exploring the story of “The Passions of Angela Simmons“, audiences are invited to reflect on the universal themes of growth, tradition, and self-acceptance. This film masterfully intertwines personal history with broader cultural issues, making it a significant work in contemporary cinema.

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Opening film at the 43° Torino Film Festival, “Eternity”, as the title suggests, plays a central role in the film’s exploration of love, happiness, and the afterlife. The film balances humor and depth, inviting viewers to reflect on their own ideas of happiness and love while being entertained by a heartfelt comedy. We met with the director David Freyne to explore the world behind a delightful and intelligent comedy.

The idea of “Eternity” originated from personal experiences and cultural reflections. David Freyne, raised Catholic in Ireland, found the traditional notions of the afterlife rigid and limiting. Creating a universe where individuals can freely choose their afterlife allowed for a more liberating perspective. This concept echoes universal themes across religions and philosophies, emphasizing personal agency in defining our eternal existence. The film’s portrayal of eternity encourages audiences to think about how they would shape their own everlasting journey.

The film pays homage to the golden era of Hollywood comedies by channeling the spirit of directors like Billy Wilder and Preston Sturgess. This influence is evident in the film’s light touch on big themes, blending humor with emotional depth. The performances by actors like Elizabeth Olsen and Miles Teller embody a classic Hollywood star quality, bringing a timeless charm to the story. The comedic timing and ad-libbing performances elevate Eternity, making it both entertaining and thought-provoking, while seamlessly exploring the profound concept of eternity itself.

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