Voiron Italian Film Festival

The Voiron Italian Film Festival: nearly 40 years of cinematic passion

The Voiron Italian Film Festival is a must-attend event for lovers of Transalpine cinema. Born in 1987 at the initiative of the association Amitié Voiron-Bassano del Grappa, it is one of the oldest and most loyal festivals dedicated to Italian cinema in France. Each year, for three weeks at the end of winter, it offers a complete immersion into the richness and diversity of Italian film production, from classics to contemporary works.

A history linked to the twinning with Bassano del Grappa

The association Amitié Voiron-Bassano del Grappa was created in 1983, the result of frequent school exchanges between the two cities initiated in 1975 by Italian teachers. It contributed to the choice of Bassano del Grappa as Voiron's twin city in 1984. From these deep cultural ties, a week of Italian cinema was born in 1987, which has grown over the decades to become the recognized festival it is today, supported by the Italian Cultural Institute of Lyon.

An exceptional program in its original version

Each edition presents a rigorous selection of about fifteen films in their original version with French subtitles (VOSTF), covering a wide spectrum of genres:

• Art films and award-winning works at international festivals
• Preview screenings and recent films from contemporary Italian cinema
• Restored classics and heritage films
• Documentaries and short films

Screenings take place in the PASSrL Le Mail and Les Écrans cinemas in Voiron, offering spectators optimal projection conditions, including premium Dolby stereo rooms.

The artistic direction of Jean Gili

The festival owes much to Jean Gili, a prominent specialist in Italian cinema and the event's historic artistic director. A recognized academic and critic, author of numerous reference works on Italian cinema, he has given the festival a strong identity and cultural legitimacy that resonates far beyond the Voironnais region.

Much more than screenings

Beyond the film screenings, the festival offers a rich program of cultural events:

• Inaugural conferences led by specialists in Italian cinema, including from the Institut Lumière in Lyon
• Meetings and debates with directors, actors, and film professionals
• Live performances: humor, music, and performances related to Italian culture
• Closing concerts to celebrate the end of the festival in a festive atmosphere

Each edition is built around a unifying theme that guides the selection of films and events, offering spectators an in-depth look at an aspect of Italian cinema and culture.