06 June 2025
FRIDAY 6 JUNE, The 21st edition of Biografilm begins, from 6 to 16 June under the artistic direction of Chiara Liberti and Massimo Benvegnù. International visions, Italian stories and co-productions from Emilia-Romagna.
The first Biografilm screening is a life story, Like Tears in Rain (82', 2024) by Sanna Fabery de Jonge, presented at Cinema Modernissimo at 6 pm: a portrait of the iconic actor Rutger Hauer. Granddaughter Sanna Fabery de Jonge opens her personal archive to tell the story of the man behind the legend. Through the testimonies of family and colleagues, including Whoopi Goldberg and Mickey Rourke, a touching portrait of a charismatic man emerges.
On the opening night, in the wake of an exceptional life story, Raoul Peck's documentary Orwell: 2 + 2 = 5 (119', 2025) will be premiered at 8.30 p.m. in the presence of the director at the BIOGRAFILM HERA THEATRE | Pop Up Cinema Arlecchino. The opening documentary is an in-depth investigation into the last months of George Orwell's life and the writing of his masterpiece 1984. Produced by "Mr. Palme d'Or" Tom Quinn with the production company NEON.
The entire festival programme kicks off. The International Competition section offers us a glimpse into their cultures, souls and research, sharing with us valuable narratives through the cinema of the real.
Biografilm Italia tells the story of contemporary Italy, seen through the eyes of directors and authors who have made their own stories of unique strength, received through the antennas of a mysterious radio apparatus called creativity or empathy, from the Pilastro to Geneva, from Sardinia to Sicily, from Berlin to Africa.
The Contemporary Lives selection offers documentaries capable of shaking consciences, igniting debates, showing us contradictions and sometimes opposing points of view, through powerful stories that speak to us of violence, oppression and suffering, but also of life, desire, self-determination and rebellion.
Sometimes even telling the genesis of a work of art becomes a work of art in itself. This is why the Art & Music section moves us every year, sounds and images squarely amplifying our love for the creative process and for those who continue to walk in this world every day with the dreamy gaze of the artist.
Beyond Fiction is the power of great cinema, the kind that can stir consciences, move, intrigue or even entertain us, at the intersection of inspiration and fantasy. The best from film festivals around the world.
The Special Events section is a privileged corner and an opportunity to explore a variety of cinematic works spanning different genres, cultures and languages, creating a mosaic of contemporary film production, creating a mosaic of contemporary film production, journeys through powerful stories, striking images and innovative narratives.
