Torino Film Festival Prioritizes Curated Lineups, Landmark Pasolini Screening for 50th Anniversary
TURIN, ITALY – The Torino Film Festival is redefining the cinematic experience with a renewed focus on quality over quantity, spearheaded by artistic director Luca Barbareschi. Eschewing the sprawling lineups of some festivals, Barbareschi champions a streamlined program designed for focused engagement, featuring three competitive sections - features, documentaries, and shorts – each showcasing 16 titles over an eight-day run.
This approach reflects a broader curatorial ideology emphasizing a deliberate and balanced program, allowing audiences to fully immerse themselves in a carefully selected range of films. “I am not a fan of overly elaborate or cluttered lineups,” Barbareschi explains. ”Some festivals screen hundreds of films,and as a viewer,that can be overwhelming. I prefer quality over quantity…The program is clear, balanced, and easy to navigate.”
The festival’s signature Zibaldone program,named after Giacomo Leopardi’s “hodgepodge,” further exemplifies this eclectic vision. Barbareschi, holding doctorates in literature, philosophy, and theology, utilizes Zibaldone to blend restorations, tributes, special screenings, premieres, and works connected to the festival’s guests. this year’s edition includes a 24-title Paul Newman retrospective, screenings with Terry Gilliam (“Fear and Loathing in las Vegas”) and Alexander Sokurov (“Russian Ark”), and thematic programming.
A key event will mark the 50th anniversary of Pier Paolo Pasolini’s controversial final film, “Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom,” with a screening on November 22, 2025 - exactly 50 years after its initial public debut.
Barbareschi views his role as akin to a film director, bringing a cohesive vision to the festival’s overall structure. He highlighted the symbolic importance of featuring both Russian honoree Alexander Sokurov and Ukrainian jury member Sergei Loznitsa on stage at the opening ceremony, stating, ”Cinema stands against war.It stands for dialog, for peace, and yes, for love.”
