The Consulate General of Italy in Vancouver, in collaboration with the Istituto Italiano di Cultura Toronto, is pleased to support and promote Italian cinema at the Victoria Film Festival 2026, taking place from February 6 to 15, 2026, at The Vic Theatre (808 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC).
This year’s festival offers audiences the opportunity to experience the richness, diversity, and creativity of contemporary Italian and Italian-connected cinema through a carefully curated selection of three outstanding films. Spanning genres from historical drama to intimate road-trip storytelling and fast-paced comedy, these works reflect Italy’s enduring contribution to international cinema and its vibrant collaborations across borders.
PRIMAVERA, directed by Damiano Michieletto, is a powerful and evocative story centered on music, personal freedom, and artistic awakening. The film follows a gifted young virtuoso whose life is profoundly transformed when the legendary composer Antonio Vivaldi arrives as her new instructor. Blending emotional depth with visual elegance, Primavera explores the liberating power of art and mentorship.
THE MARIANA TRENCH (Marianengraben), directed by Eileen Byrne, offers a touching and subtly humorous road-trip through Northern Italy. When two strangers meet under unexpected circumstances, they embark on a journey that becomes a space for confronting grief, loss, and the possibility of healing. Co-produced with Luxembourg and Austria, the film balances emotional resonance with warmth and wit, highlighting the beauty of human connection.
Rounding out the selection is 100 LITRES OF GOLD, directed by Teemu Nikki, a fast-paced Finnish–Italian comedy full of sharp humor and irreverent energy. The film follows two hungover sisters on a frantic race against time to save a wedding—by refilling the beer supply. Bold, entertaining, and unapologetically fun, it showcases the lighter side of international co-production.
For full program details, screening times, and ticket information, please visit the Victoria Film Festival website👉 https://www.victoriafilmfestival.com/
