Cineforum 2025-2026 - CASA ITALIANA - 13028 1st Ave S, Burien, WA 98168

Join us for 4 captivating film screenings celebrating Italian culture and storytelling! Geared toward teens and young adults, but adults are welcome to join and enjoy the experience.

Please note that the screenings will be at 2 different Locations: The first two movies (December 27th and February 7th) will be at Casa Italiana in Burien, while the following ones (March 28th and April 25th) will be at the SIFF Film Center in Seattle.

Synopsis: 1946. Amerigo is eight years old and has never left Naples and his mother Antonietta.His world, consisting of the streets and poverty, is however about to change.

On board one of the so called ‘trains of happiness’ he will spend the winter in the north, where a young woman, Derna, will take him in and take care of him. Next to her, Amerigo gains an awareness that leads him to a painful choice that will change his life forever. It will take him many years to discover the truth: those who love you do not hold you back, but let you go.

A heartfelt and moving story about a couple whose love is tested by the unpredictable twists of life. Spanning over two decades, this romantic drama explores how the power of connection, resilience, and life's everyday "superpowers" help them overcome challenges and rediscover hope and strength.

Official Trailer:

Synopsis: Set in 1968, Rose Island tells the story of Giorgio Rosa (Elio Germano), a newly graduated engineer, who decides to build an island off the coast of Rimini with the help of his friend Maurizio (Leonardo Lidi). Giorgio seems to have constructed his own paradise, away from rules and laws. However, the Italian government decides that Giorgio’s idealistic island is Italy’s Number One Enemy, after they hear of Rosa’s application to the United Nations for his island to become an independent state.

Official Trailer:

Synopsis: 1860. Giuseppe Garibaldi began from Quarto the adventure of the Thousand surrounded by the enthusiasm of the young idealists who had come from all regions of Italy, and with his loyal group of officers, among whom a new profile stands out, that of Palermo Colonel Vincenzo Giordano Orsini. Among the many militiamen recruited were two Sicilians, Domenico Tricò, a farmer who had emigrated to the North, and Rosario Spitale, an illusionist. Having landed in Sicily, at Marsala, the Thousand begin fighting with the Bourbon army, whose numerical preponderance is immediately evident. Under these conditions, it appears almost impossible for the general to breach the enemy defense and penetrate Palermo. But when he is almost forced to retreat, Garibaldi devises an ingenious plan.

Official Trailer:

Synopsis: With Palazzina LAF Riondino tells the tale of what was probably the first ever case of large-scale workplace bullying reported in Italy, which set a precedent in national employment law. The titular building actually refers to the dilapidated office to which anyone who refused to bend to the company’s “reorganisation” was relegated: engineers and other qualified staff who refused to give in to workplace blackmail and wouldn’t accept demotion. The film opens in 1997 when the firm has only just been privatised and the leadership team are overseeing a ruthless “reorganisation of their productive structure”. Palazzina LAF is a land of limbo where everyone is left hanging, a Pr*son which destroys people psychologically. In addition to directing the film, Riondino also carved out the lead role for himself - and a very wise choice it was too - playing Caterino La Manna, a cleaner responsible for cleaning the plant’s battery coils, a hellish job which damages the lungs. The personnel manager, played by Elio Germano in his most devious role yet, forces him to become a spy for the company: he must report back on any “conspiracies” between the union representative (Fulvio Pepe) and all the others who have been sentenced to social death. In exchange, he’ll receive a promotion and a company car. Caterino soon infiltrates Palazzina LAF as the only member of the working classes, caught between libidinal energy and the death drive.

Official Trailer:

Cineforum 2025-26: A series of 4 Italian movies presented by Comites of San Francisco — an Italian non-profit fostering cultural exchange and community engagement.

Special thanks to:

Alberta Lai, Director of Istituto Italiano di Cultura - San Francisco

About Comites

Established in 1985, the Committees of Italian abroad (Comites) are representative bodies of the Italian community, directly elected by the Italian nationals living abroad in each consular district.

They contribute to identifying the social, cultural and civil development needs of the community of reference, also through studies and research. Jointly with the consular authorities, the regions and local authorities, as well as with bodies, associations and committees operating within the consular district, they also promote appropriate initiatives in matters pertaining to social and cultural life.

Comites of San Francisco https://www.sfcomites.org/ represents the Italian nationals living in the consular district of San Francisco, including:

North California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska,Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Utah, American Territories of Samoa, American Territory of Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Johnston Atoll, Wake Island, Midways Islands.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

Get App

Host or Publisher COMITES San Francisco