Pierfrancesco 'Pif' Diliberto  

Director and star of Opening Night film Holy Cannoli 

Born in Palermo, Sicily, in 1972, Pierfrancesco Diliberto, better known as Pif, is an Italian actor, screenwriter, television host, and director. He made his film debut as an assistant director on The Hundred Steps (IFF2000) before moving into television with The Witness (2007). He made his feature directorial debut with The Mafia Only Kills in the Summer (IFF2014), which he wrote, directed, and starred in. He followed this with At War with Love (IFF2017), again serving as writer, director, and lead actor, before taking the leading role in Daniele Luchetti's Ordinary Happiness (IFF2019). He subsequently wrote, directed, and starred in On Our Watch (IFF2022). Since 2017, he has also written and hosted the documentary television series Caro Marziano (2017–2024). 

Pif will attend the Opening Night Galas in Sydney & Melbourne, and Introduce Sessions of HOLY CANNOLI in Melbourne & Sydney

Edoardo Leo 

Edoardo Leo stars in two films in this year's festival: Separate Beds and For You.  

Born in 1972 in Rome, Italy, multi award-winning actor/director/screenwriter Edoardo Leo is a graduate in Literature and Philosophy from the Sapienza University of Rome. He made his debut in 1994, after attending acting classes from a young age. Nominated for the Best New Director David di Donatello award for his debut film 18 Years Later (2010), he has directed eight films including The Legendary Giulia (IFF15) and Breaking Up in Rome (IFF22). In the festival, he has starred in I Can Quit Whenever I Want (IFF14), Perfect Strangers (IFF17), The Goddess of Fortune (IFF20), The Order of Time (IFF23) and Somebody to Love (IFF25). 

Separate Beds Introduction Sessions

Silvia Colloca 

Silvia Colloca is an Italian born food writer, TV producer and host. She has authored six successful cookbooks, most recently The Italian Homecook, and her TV series Silvia’s Italian Masterclass is available on Ten and SBS on Demand. Silvia is passionate about all things Italian, with cinema a particular interest, and she will be attending the Sydney Opening Night Gala.