The curtains have fallen on the much-anticipated Italian Film Festival 2024: Venice in Jakarta, which took place from the 24th to the 28th of April in Jakarta and Bandung. Indonesian audiences showed tremendous enthusiasm as they flocked to witness five exquisite Italian films. Each film showcased during the festival was meticulously curated and had previously graced the screens of the Venice International Film Festival 2023.

"The third edition of ITAFF in Jakarta and Bandung signifies the immense passion of the Indonesian audience for Italian cinema. We take pride in presenting, for the first time this year, the classic film Bellissima, which premiered at the Venice International Film Festival 2023. This demonstrates the quality and commitment of our festival in fostering collaborations with esteemed Italian institutions such as the Venice International Film Festival, paving the way for ITAFF 2025," remarked Maria Battaglia, the Festival Director and Director of the Italian Cultural Institute Jakarta, during her closing speech at CGV Grand Indonesia.

Italian Film Festival 2024: Venice in Jakarta culminated with the screening of the legendary Italian classic Bellissima, directed by the iconic Luchino Visconti, as a tribute to Anna Magnani, who clinched the Best Actress award from the Italian National Syndicate of Film Journalists in 1952. With the support of CSC-Cineteca Nazionale, Indonesian audiences were treated to the 4K restoration of Bellissima on the big screen for the first time. The film narrates the story of a mother striving to make her child a child star, heralded as a pioneer of women's empowerment through cinema in Italy and its surrounding society in the 1950s.

"I am thrilled about festivals like this as they provide an opportunity to watch the best of Italian cinema on the big screen this year. I studied Italian 20 years ago at the Italian Cultural Institute Jakarta. So, it's always delightful to rekindle my love for the language and culture. I eagerly await the next edition of ITAFF! Viva il cinema!" expressed Marissa Anita, the winner of the Best Supporting Actress Citra Award at the 2021 Indonesian Film Festival.

For updates on the upcoming Italian Film Festival editions, enthusiasts can visit iicjakarta.esteri.it or follow the official social media accounts of the Italian Cultural Institute on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Youtube @iicjakarta.