Italian Independent Cinema: Screens in Freedom
ICI London is delighted to present a film series show casing the works of Italian independent filmmakers. This initiative celebrates the eclectic vision and critical voices of these innovative directors, offering a fresh perspective on contemporary society. Introduced by esteemed film critic Rita Di Santo, followed by a Q&A session with the directors.
Wednesday 10 December 2025, 6.30pm at ICI London
In Italian with English subtitles
Ciao bambino by Edgardo Pistone
Director: Edgardo Pistone
Writers: Uvan Ferone, Edgardo Pistone
Cast: Marco Adamo, Anastasiia Kaletchuk, Luciano Pistone
Drama/ 2024/1 h 40m/colour
Edgardo Pistone’s debut, “Ciao Bambino”, is a poignant and powerful coming-of-age tale that masterfully captures the turbulent summer of 17-year-old Attilio, who takes on a job to repay his father’s debts to a life of crime. As Attilio navigates the complexities of sacrifice and loyalty, the film lays bare the turmoil of youth, transforming a simple story of adolescence into a universal odyssey that resonates deeply. With visuals that echo Antonioni’s chiaroscuro, the narrative unfolds in rich, layered detail, earning the film well-deserved accolades, including the Audience Award at the Rome Film Festival.
Introduced by critic Rita Di Santo. Followed by Q&A with the Director
Book HERE
Italian writer and filmmaker Edgardo Pistone pursued studies in directing and photography at the Accademia di Belle Arti in his hometown, Naples. Along with his budding movie career, Pistone also took on the role of educator, teaching filmmaking to young people on the outskirts of Naples. Pistone crafted an impressive portfolio of short films, Per un’ora d’amore (2013), Il viaggio premio (2017) before winning the Best Director Award for Le mosche (2019) at the 35th Venice International Film Festival.
Rita Di Santo is a film critic, programmer, broadcaster, and a former editor of 35mm. She lives in London writing regularly for national newspapers and magazines: The Daily Mirror, Tribune, Morning Star, Culture Matters. She is Vice President of FIPRESCI (The International Federation of Film Critics) and a member of the UK Critics’ Circle. She has juried some of the most venerated film festivals, including Toronto, Venice, Berlin, and Cannes – three times!