by InTrieste
Pierfrancesco Favino, one of Italy’s most acclaimed actors, was honored Saturday evening with the Interprete del Presente award at the ShorTS International Film Festival in Trieste. The award, which celebrates artists whose work reflects the spirit and complexity of contemporary society, recognized Favino’s decades-long career marked by nuanced, socially engaged performances.
Appearing before a packed audience for a conversation and masterclass, Favino reflected on his body of work—spanning more than 60 films—and on the art of acting as both a personal and collective journey. He also spoke with emotion about his connection to Trieste, a city he described as “deeply inspiring.”
“I think everyone should be an actor,” Favino said during the event. “We would’ve had a much more peaceful world.”
Known for his ability to inhabit roles across genres and historical periods, Favino has played a range of characters—from political leaders to working-class heroes—with a depth and authenticity that have earned him critical acclaim both in Italy and internationally.
The ShorTS festival, now in its 25th year, continues to serve as a platform for both established and emerging voices in cinema. This year’s edition places particular emphasis on the relationship between film and social change—a theme that organizers said made Favino a natural choice for the award.
The evening closed with a standing ovation for the actor, who thanked the audience and the city “for always feeling like home.”
