by InTrieste
This October, cinema enthusiasts in Friuli Venezia Giulia will have the rare opportunity to experience a curated selection of films from the Venice Film Festival’s prestigious International Critics’ Week. The event, titled “The Days of the Venice Film Festival,” will host screenings at two key venues: Kinemax Multisala in Gorizia and Cinema Teatro Miela in Trieste.
Spanning three dates—October 10 in Gorizia, and October 13 and 24 in Trieste—this showcase brings together some of the most compelling and avant-garde films by emerging directors. These works, selected by the National Union of Italian Film Critics (SNCCI), form part of an annual initiative that has spotlighted promising filmmakers since 1984. Each film provides a glimpse into the evolving landscape of global cinema, focusing on first-time directors who are poised to make their mark on the international stage.
A New Platform for Emerging Voices
The screenings kick off in Gorizia on October 10 with Italian director Marta Innocenti’s Things That My Best Friend Lost. The short film, part of the SIC@SIC competition, plunges viewers into the vibrant chaos of an illegal rave, where a DJ named Andrea navigates his inner turmoil and confesses his darkest fears through voice notes sent to a distant figure. The vivid colors and metallic sounds of the film create a raw, sensory experience, capturing the tension between human connection and alienation in a fast-paced world.
Also screening is No Sleep Till by American director Alexandra Simpson, a film that deftly uses the metaphor of an impending natural disaster to explore the existential uncertainties that grip society today. As a hurricane threatens the coastal town of Atlantic Beach, a group of characters chooses to stay behind, confronting their anxieties in the shadow of looming catastrophe.
Later that evening, viewers will be treated to Dark Globe, a French film by Donato Sansone that paints a dystopian portrait of humanity as an unstoppable war machine. Sansone’s works have been recognized at film festivals worldwide, including Annecy and Hiroshima, and Dark Globe is expected to further elevate his reputation. The night closes with Homegrown, a U.S. documentary by Michael Premo that follows three right-wing activists during Donald Trump’s 2020 campaign. The film, which has already won the Mario Serandrei – Hotel Saturnia Award for Best Technical Contribution, presents a chilling look at a movement that seeks to reshape American democracy.
Trieste Steps Into the Spotlight
On October 13, the focus shifts to Trieste, where the Cinema Teatro Miela will screen The Eggregores’ Theory, an Italian short film by Andrea Gatopoulos, and Planet B, a French-Belgian sci-fi thriller set in 2039. In the latter film, a group of activists finds themselves mysteriously transported to a parallel world where the rules of their former lives no longer apply.
The day concludes with Perfumed with Mint, a haunting film that follows two friends as they confront the ghosts of their past, weaving a narrative of broken relationships and unresolved trauma.
Stories of Resilience and Survival
The festival’s final event, on October 24 in Trieste, will feature Anywhere Anytime, the debut feature by Milad Tangshir. The film tells the harrowing story of Issa, an undocumented immigrant in Turin who loses his job and turns to working as a food delivery rider. But when his newly bought bicycle is stolen, Issa embarks on a desperate journey through the streets of the city in search of his only means of survival.
Issa’s story, like many others featured in this year’s Critics’ Week, offers a raw and unfiltered perspective on resilience, human connection, and the desire for a better life in the face of overwhelming odds.
A Free Invitation to the Public
All screenings are free and open to the public, offering an unparalleled opportunity to explore bold new voices in world cinema. Tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, with additional details and screening times listed on the AGIS Triveneto website.
With the support of the Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia and partnerships with AGIS, ANEC, and FICE, this initiative represents a unique cultural offering in the region. As the lights dim and the films roll, audiences will be taken on a cinematic journey that spans continents, genres, and themes—leaving them with much to ponder long after the final credits roll.
For more information, visit www.agistriveneto.it.
