Torino Film Festival 2025: A cinematic celebration that lights up the city and inspires new visions

The city of Turin is once again stepping into the spotlight with the 43rd Torino Film Festival, taking place November 21–29, 2025. For nine days, the city becomes a vibrant crossroads of filmmakers, students, critics, industry professionals and movie lovers who converge to explore fresh perspectives from around the world. Historic venues like Cinema Massimo, Cinema Romano and the majestic Teatro Regio set the stage for screenings, conversations and discoveries. Each theater becomes a gateway to a new universe; each event invites the audience to engage, reflect and be moved.

The festival’s mission remains clear: championing auteur cinema, independent storytelling, emerging voices and bold visions. The Torino Film Festival is not merely a showcase, it is a cultural workshop with a global outlook and a deeply contemporary soul.

Paul Newman retrospective: a tribute that spans generations

One of the defining features of the 2025 edition is the major retrospective dedicated to Paul Newman, marking one hundred years since the birth of the legendary actor. A curated selection of 24 films traces Newman’s extraordinary career, from the rebellious edge of Cool Hand Luke and the rawness of Hud to the charm and wit of The Sting and his more intimate dramatic roles.

The festival’s official poster, featuring a set photograph from Absence of Malice, captures Newman’s magnetic presence and timeless elegance. More than a tribute, the retrospective acts as a bridge between eras and reminds audiences why his influence on cinema remains so enduring.

Star power: guests, encounters and cinematic insights

The 43rd Torino Film Festival brings a distinguished lineup of international guests, turning the event into a major hub for global cinema. Among the headliners are Spike Lee, the trailblazing director whose work reshaped political filmmaking; Vanessa Redgrave, a towering figure across stage and screen; Juliette Binoche, one of the most celebrated actresses of her generation; and Daniel Brühl, whose career spans European arthouse and Hollywood productions.

Turin will also welcome iconic talents such as Terry Gilliam, the visionary auteur and Monty Python alumnus; Hanna Schygulla, a cornerstone of New German Cinema; Jacqueline Bisset; Claude Lelouch; and Italian stars including Sergio Castellitto, Stefania Sandrelli, Barbara Bobulova and Pilar Fogliati.

One of the festival’s most anticipated moments is the presentation of the Stelle della Mole, a prestigious award recognizing exceptional artistic contributions. This year, among the honorees, Antonio Banderas will travel to Turin to accept the award and meet audiences.

Opening night and programming: a journey through 120 films

The festival officially kicks off with a grand opening ceremony at Teatro Regio, hosted by actress Laura Chiatti alongside artistic director Giulio Base. The 2025 program features 120 films, including narrative features, documentaries and short films from across the globe. The selection offers a mosaic of contemporary storytelling, portraits of personal struggle, tales of resilience, innovative narrative forms and cinematic experiments that challenge expectations.

Throughout the week, audiences can attend filmmaker talks, masterclasses, premieres and special events that underline the festival’s reputation as a space where the art of cinema meets dialogue and community.

Why the Torino Film Festival is an experience worth traveling for

Attending the Torino Film Festival means more than watching films, it means immersing yourself in an atmosphere that blends history, creativity and emotion. Audiences spill out of theaters into lively conversations under the city’s elegant arcades, while the Mole Antonelliana rises above the skyline like a guardian of the cinematic night.

The festival creates a bridge between generations and cultures, a place where the legacy of great masters meets the energy of new storytellers. Torino becomes a city where cinema is not just seen but felt, shared and lived.

How to attend: tickets, venues and official info

Tickets for Torino Film Festival screenings are priced at €7.50 for general admission and €5.50 for reduced entry. Discounts are available for students, visitors under 26, guests over 65 and holders of partnered cultural passes.
The primary venues, Cinema Massimo, Cinema Romano and Teatro Regio, are centrally located and easily accessible.

Full program details, schedules, guest information and ticketing options are available on the festival’s official website:
www.torinofilmfest.org