Torino Film Festival Embraces Youthful Spark with Artistic Director Giulio Base at the Helm

TURIN, ITALY - The Torino Film Festival, a cornerstone of Italian cinema, is undergoing a revitalization under the guidance of artistic director Giulio Base. Base, who first attended the festival as a teenager in 1982, aims to balance the festival’s established reputation for auteur-driven cinema with a more accessible and youthful appeal. Now in his second year, Base is focusing on clear curation and rekindling the festival's original spirit, fostering a new generation of filmmakers and cinephiles.

A Legacy of Auteur Cinema with a Modern Twist

The Torino Film Festival, originally named Cinema Giovani ("Festival of Young Cinema"), was co-founded by Alberto Barbera and has since become a significant platform for emerging filmmakers and independent cinema. Base, a director and actor with a deep understanding of the festival's history, emphasizes the importance of preserving its core identity while broadening its reach.

"The Torino Film Festival has always been known as a prestigious, auteur-driven event," Base stated. "That will never change, it is who we are. But I wanted to add another dimension, something more popular, glamorous, and open. I wanted films that appeal not only to cinephiles and students but also to those who might not usually attend festivals. My goal is to preserve Torino’s auteur spirit while making it more accessible and exciting for everyone."

Empowering Youth and Fresh Perspectives

Recognizing the need for new voices, Base has made a conscious effort to involve younger generations in the festival's selection process. He appointed six new members to the selection committee, all under the age of 30, to bring a fresh perspective to the curation of the program.

“Let’s be honest,” Base said. “Italy can be a country of old men. I wanted a fresh perspective. Their vision and their approach to cinema helped shape a competition that remains true to the festival’s founding spirit: youthful, daring, and determined to change the world, or at least change cinema.”

Dr. Maria Rossi, a film studies professor at the University of Rome, commented on Base's strategy: "The inclusion of younger voices in the selection process is a crucial step for the Torino Film Festival. It ensures that the festival remains relevant and attuned to the evolving tastes and sensibilities of contemporary audiences. This approach not only benefits the festival itself but also provides a platform for emerging critics and curators to shape the future of cinema."

Streamlined Programming and Thematic Exploration

Base aims to create a more manageable and memorable experience for festival attendees by focusing on quality over quantity. The festival features three main competitions: features, documentaries, and shorts, each presenting 16 titles. This streamlined approach ensures that each film receives adequate attention and allows viewers to navigate the program with ease.

“I am not a fan of overly complicated or cluttered lineups,” Base explained. “Some festivals screen hundreds of films, and as a viewer, that can be overwhelming. I prefer quality over quantity. Our festival runs for eight days with three main competitions: features, documentaries, and shorts, each presenting 16 titles. That means two films per day per section. The program is clear, balanced, and easy to navigate.”

Zibaldone: A Hodgepodge of Cinematic Delights

A key element of Base's vision is the Zibaldone program, named after poet Giacomo Leopardi’s celebrated “hodgepodge.” This section blends restorations, tributes, special screenings, premieres, and works connected to the festival’s guests, offering a diverse and eclectic cinematic experience.

This year's Zibaldone features a 24-title Paul Newman retrospective, alongside screenings of films by festival guests such as Terry Gilliam's "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" and Alexander Sokurov's "Russian Ark." The program also includes a special screening of Pier Paolo Pasolini’s "Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom" on the 50th anniversary of its first public screening.

Cinema as a Force for Peace and Dialogue

Beyond showcasing cinematic excellence, Base views the Torino Film Festival as a platform for promoting dialogue and understanding. He emphasized the symbolic importance of bringing together filmmakers from different backgrounds and perspectives.

“In English, the term ‘director’ means both the director of a film and the director of a festival,” Base said. “I think that is fitting, because I approach the festival as I would a movie: with a vision, a sense of timing, and a belief in collaboration. For our opening ceremony, both Alexander Sokurov, a Russian honoree, and Sergei Loznitsa, a Ukrainian jury member, will appear on the same stage. For me, that is deeply symbolic. Cinema stands against war. It stands for dialogue, for peace, and yes, for love.”

David Miller, a film critic for "The Hollywood Reporter," noted that Base's emphasis on unity resonates in a world grappling with conflict. "Base's decision to highlight both Russian and Ukrainian filmmakers at the festival underscores the power of cinema to transcend political divides and foster empathy," Miller said. "It's a powerful statement about the role of art in promoting peace and understanding."

With Giulio Base at the helm, the Torino Film Festival is poised to continue its legacy as a vital platform for independent cinema while embracing a new generation of filmmakers and audiences.