Culture · 14 August 2025

St. Ali Italian Film Festival 2025 Reveals First Films

Catch the Australian premiere of award-winning filmmaker Ferzan Özpetek’s drama, Diamonds.

Palace Cinemas is excited to reveal the first six films making up this year’s St. Ali Italian Film Festival 2025 program.

Taking over Palace Nova Eastend and Prospect from Wednesday 17 September to Tuesday 14 October, this year’s program is headlined by award-winning filmmaker Ferzan Özpetek’s drama, Diamonds (Dimanti).

The film will make its Australian premiere as part of the festival, with a special Prosecco Preview of Diamonds taking place on Wednesday 10 September.

Join organisers and fellow film buffs for a complimentary glass of Bandini Prosecco on arrival before watching a screening of the flick. Those in attendance will also see previews of the major highlights of the festival, along with receiving a print copy of the program.

Tickets for the Prosecco Preview are on sale now via palacecinemas.com.au.

Along with Diamonds, five more movies have been announced as part of the initial program reveal.

Opening night sees the Aussie premiere of Perfect Strangers (FolleMente), a romantic comedy focusing on a modern Italian couple and their first date. From the great director Paolo Genovese, Perfect Strangers stars Edoardo Leo, Pilar Fogliati and Vittoria Puccini.

The St. Ali Italian Film Festival 2025 also features a special presentation of The Mountain Bride – Vermigilo (Vermiglio), winner of the Grand Jury Prize at Cannes in 2024. The film revolves around a family during the final years of World War II in Vermiglio, a tiny, remote Italian village in South Tyrol.

The three other flicks announced so far are The Boy with Pink Trousers (Il ragazzo dai pantaloni rosa), which explores Italy’s first publicised case of online bullying, Toni Servillo’s comedy drama The Illusion (L’Abbaglio) and When Mum Is Away…With the In-Laws (10 Giorni con i suoi), the third film in the hilarious Rovelli family saga directed by Alessandro Genovesi.

The St. Ali Italian Film Festival 2025 takes place at Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas and Palace Nova Prospect Cinemas from Wednesday 17 September to Tuesday 14 October. For program and ticket details, visit italianfilmfestival.com.au.