While waiting for the Cannes Festival, Nice is already immersed in its 40th Italian Cinema Festival! For its 40th edition, the Nice Italian Film Festival opened its doors with La Città Proibita, a surprising Italian Kung-Fu comedy. Between martial arts, romance, and humor, the public in Nice could vote at the end of the screening for the Audience Award, showcasing a participatory festival deeply rooted in local life, which runs until March 28 at the Espace Magnan.
Italian flags, colorful posters, subtitled films… and this year, the Italian Cinema Days celebrate their 40th anniversary in Nice, at the Espace Magnan. More than just a festival, it is a warm and family-friendly event for the people of Nice, who return each year for this moment of sharing around the best of Italian cinema. For four decades, the city has become the heart of an event where residents and cinema enthusiasts come together to discover films, meet directors, and exchange views among spectators.
For this edition, the program aims to be bold and contemporary, combining Italian classics, unpublished works, and new talents. The screenings are followed by discussions and participatory voting, allowing spectators to get directly involved and choose the Audience Award, reinforcing this unique link between the festival and the city of Nice.
La Città Proibita: a bold choice to open the festival in Nice
The opening film of this 40th edition, La Città Proibita by Gabriele Mainetti, surprised the Nice audience. This Italian Kung-Fu comedy mixes action, martial arts, and romance, an unusual combination for an “anniversary” launch of an “Italian” festival.
Inside the theater, Sandrine, 55, a civil servant, says, “the film is atypical, but I loved the blend between Italy and Chinese culture.” Her friend Ariane, 43, a bookbinder and restorer, adds, “it was excellent for attracting young people, not just the Italian classics. A great idea for the opening film.“
Even Cristo, 47, a Nice-based projectionist, observed the reactions, “I heard laughter and small reactions during the fighting scenes. This bold choice draws a broader audience and sparks curiosity, making you want to come back to discover other Italian films unreleased in France.“
Outside, Vincent, 70, a retired Nice resident, admits, “I didn’t expect this type of film for the opening. It’s not Italian cinema as I perceive it.” His partner Joana, 65, adds, “for someone discovering the festival, it can be surprising. But for us, already fans, we enjoyed following the program.” Both appreciated the surprising end and the entertaining aspect of the film and, despite their critiques, remain loyal to the Italian Cinema Days.
A participatory festival rooted in local life
The local and participatory dimension is at the heart of the festival. Each spectator receives numbered tokens from 1 to 4 upon entry to vote for the Audience Award, with 1 being the lowest score and 4 the highest. Sandrine and Ariane explain, “we choose the corner corresponding to the score we want to give. In the end, everything is tallied, and it’s the public who decides.” Unlike Vincent and Joana, who revealed their score of 3 out of 4, many spectators prefer to keep the suspense until the final count.
Even the staff participates, like Cristo, “I played along and gave it a 2. It’s not my favorite film, but it’s fun to participate and feel involved in the festival.“
With 15 films in competition this year at Espace Magnan, the people of Nice have the opportunity to express their opinions after each screening, share their favorites, and actively contribute to local cultural life. The Italian Cinema Days are not just a festival but a moment of Nice conviviality, where cinema and community meet each year for voting.
To recall, there are two weeks of festivals (from March 14 to 28)
- Remaining dates of the festival: until Saturday 6 p.m. closing evening with the awarding of the young jury and audience awards.
- Films still on display: 15 films in competition, school screenings, and public sessions
- Price: €8 per ticket (VO with French subtitles)
- Available: photo exhibition “CLICIAK. Scatti di Cinema” in the hall alongside the films in competition, and Italian cafeteria/grocery on site
- Getting there
- 📍 Location: Espace Magnan
- 31 rue Louis de Coppet, 06000 Nice
- 🚋 Tramway:
- Line 2 – stop Magnan
- 🚌 Bus:
- Lines 12, 23 – stop Magnan
- 🚗 Car:
- Parking is available in the surrounding streets (limited spaces)
- 🚶 Access:
- A few minutes’ walk from Promenade des Anglais.
