Italian Film Series
Bringing Contemporary Italian Film to the U.S.
Welcome to the 2025-2026 season of Italian Film Series. Mark your calendar with the following tentative dates and times.
- Sunday, March 1, 2026, at 4:00 pm.
Primadonna - Saturday, April 11, 2026, at 4:00 PM
To be announced - Saturday, May 3, 2026, at 2:00 PM
In Guerra Per Amore
Watch this website, Facebook and email announcements for additional details, including films and trailers. If you are not on our mailing list, or know someone interested that would like to be, please let us know. Thank you.
Thank you to all who’ve attended and to our sponsors, including Ahrens Benefits Services, Louis and Cindy DeCarolis, Rochester Area Community Foundation, Delta Stratagem, Tia Coffee, Linden Financial Consultants, and RochesterResume.com. Italian Film Series would not be possible without you!
The University’s commitment and support of Italian Film Series means a lot to us. We will continue to showcase the best of Italian cinema—films in Italian language with English subtitles that promote Italian culture and heritage.
So, please continue to join us monthly for a great film and great fellowship with fellow film afficionados. And remember, film sponsorships and ticket sales make these wonderful movies possible. Please continue to invite your friends to attend and sponsor (and join us for dinner after showings)!
If you can spare an hour or two a month, we need a new volunteer or two to help with planning for future movies, poster distribution and set-up for dinner. Contact Paul H. Bush at paul@rochesterresume.com.
Thank you!
Showing on Sunday,
March 1, 2026, at 4:00 PM
Peace Theater at Nazareth University Arts Center, 4245 East Avenue, Rochester, NY 14618. Free parking.
Primadonna
In Italian with English subtitles
Please join us for another unique, outstanding film that could only come from Italy.
Inspired by the story of Franca Viola, the first woman in Italy to refuse a “reparation marriage” (matrimonio riparatore) in 1965, an act that sparked a major shift in Italian law and social convention.
The Girl from Tomorrow tells the story of Lia, a young woman who reacts to the most terrible form of violence with an act of rebellion which blows apart the social conventions of the time. In a world where the strongest dictate the rules, where mafia roots run deep and are accepted as a natural part of life, and where the powerful make decisions while the weak do as they’re told, her courage will pave the way for the fight for women’s rights. The movie is inspired by the true story of Franca Viola, a seventeen-year-old girl from Alcamo, Sicily, who, in 1965, was the first woman in Italy to say no to a “shotgun” wedding, refusing her abductor and rapist Filippo Melodia, who was the nephew of a local mafia boss.
– Courtesy of Cineuropa.org
DIRECTOR: Marta Savina
STARRING: Claudia Gusmano, Dario Aita, Francesco Colella, Paolo Pierohon, Fabrizio Ferracane
RELEASE DATE: 2022 (festival release) and 2023 (general)
LENGTH: 100 minutes
Ticket prices:
- $15.00 advance purchase. $16.00 at the door.
- $12.50 for seniors, students and military advance purchase.
- $13.50 for seniors, students and military at the door.
- Casa Italiana members $7.50.
- Nazareth University students and faculty are free.
Advanced ticketing is strongly recommended for this event. Tax deductible donations to the program are also accepted.
Round out the day by joining us after the film for a delightful Italian meal across the parking lot in the Frank DiMino Casa Italiana Building. Tickets are an additional $25. Dinner reservations close on the Thursday before the showing at 12:00 PM. Limited seating, make your reservation early.
We look forward to welcoming our regulars and new friends. Feel free to invite other people that would enjoy first-run Italian cinema. Purchase your tickets online in advance.
Thank you.
Our Sponsors
The Italian Film Series is a unique opportunity to explore contemporary stories through the eyes and insights of celebrated Italian filmmakers. The following sponsors are actively engaged in the success of the Italian Film Series. Thank you all so much for your support.
