The 2022 ST. ALi Italian Film Festival returns to cinemas nationally in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, and Byron Bay from September, featuring a mix of contemporary drama, comedy, and documentaries, while also honouring one of Italy’s greatest filmmakers, Pier Paolo Pasolini.

The 2022 Festival opens with the Italian box office hit Belli Ciao, starring comedic duo Pio and Amedeo. It follows two formerly inseparable friends who reunite in their hometown in Puglia after years apart, resulting in an entertaining north versus south culture clash. Opening Night receptions will include Italian antipasti, Santa Margherita Prosecco, and more.

Direct from the Cannes Film Festival is this year’s Festival Centrepiece Nostalgia, directed by Mario Martone and winner of Best Director, Best Screenplay, and Best Actor at the 2022 Nastri D’Argento Awards. Starring Pierfrancesco Favino, it follows a man returning to his hometown of Naples after 40 years and rediscovering the city, its codes and rules, and facing a past that has haunted him.

One of Italy’s most significant filmmakers, Pier Paolo Pasolini, will be the focus of a retrospective celebrating the centenary of his birth. The Festival is thrilled to present three of his iconic film adaptions of literary works: The Canterbury Tales on its 50th anniversary, Arabian Nights, and The Decameron.

The 2022 ST. ALi Italian Film Festival presented by Palace screens in the following locations:
Sydney: September 13 – October 12, Palace Central, Palace Norton St, Palace Verona, Chauvel Cinema
Canberra: September 14 – October 12, Palace Electric Cinema
Melbourne: September 15 – October 12, Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Cinema Como, Palace Westgarth, The Kino, Pentridge Cinema, The Astor, Cinema Nova
Brisbane: September 21 – October 16, Palace Barracks, Palace James Street
Adelaide: September 21 – October 16, Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas, Palace Nova Prospect Cinemas
Perth: September 22 – October 16, Palace Raine Square, Luna Leederville, Luna on SX, Windsor Cinema
Byron Bay: September 23 – October 9 , Palace Byron Bay

Tickets go on sale Thursday, August 18.