Don't miss this exclusive preview of Life is Life, before the festival officially commences! Enjoy a glass of prosecco on arrival, before this Italian box office hit comedy set on the sun-soaked shores of Sardinia.

Indulge in antipasti, a glass of prosecco, Connoisseur Gourmet Ice Cream, and a cinema treat courtesy of Lexus before the premiere of Holy Cannoli! After the film, get ready to celebrate Italian style with music, Peroni beer, Aperol Spritz, delicious cheeses from That's Amore Cheese, cannoli from Cannoleria, an official festival gift bag and more!   

Celebrate the opening night of the festival with a glass of prosecco or mocktail on arrival before the Premiere screening of Holy Cannoli.

The following sessions will be introduced by the director of Holy Cannoli, Pierfrancesco 'Pif' Diliberto. 

Enjoy a glass of prosecco on arrival before the Centrepiece Premiere screening of multi award-winning drama Sweetheart.   

Enjoy a glass of Prosecco on arrival, view the exhibition and hear from curator Elisabetta Ferrari (The University of Melbourne), prior to a screening of Bellissima. 

Enjoy a pre-film introduction by Edoardo Leo, star of Separate Beds at the following screening.  

Enjoy a glass of Canella Mimosa on arrival before this special screening of insightful documentary Armani and the Birth of Italian Fashion.  

Enjoy a glass of red or white Italian wine on arrival before this Date Night screening of box office hit romantic comedy Separate Beds.  

Enjoy a post-film Q&A with Kris ‘Ted’ Davant and Valerio De Simoni's mother Vittoria at the Melbourne Premiere screening of Sand Roads.  

Say salute with a Solbevi Limoncello Spritz and music inspired by Nino d'Angelo before this screening of Nino. 18 Days.   

To mark the end of the exhibition, see The Castle followed by a Q&A with Santo Cilauro and Michael Hirsh from Working Dog, to discuss the Italian flavour of this Australian classic with moderator Zak Hepburn. 

Enjoy a taste of Basilicata antipasti and wine, with a glass of Canella Puccini, or mocktail, before this special screening of The Greater Good, presented by the Italian Institute of Culture Melbourne. 

Bid the festival ‘arrivederci’ with the Australian Premiere screenings of The Echo Chamber, direct from the 2026 Venice International Film Festival. Enjoy a Campari & Soda, or mocktail, and Connoisseur Gourmet Ice Cream on arrival.