Genoa Calls Hollywood: The International Debut of GIFF with Director Davide Bertolini

Is cinema in theaters truly dead, or is it simply undergoing an extraordinary new evolution? In this episode of Unigia Radio, Paolo sits down with Davide Bertolini, director, producer, and artistic director of the brand-new GIFF (Genoa International Film Festival), taking place from May 29th to 31st, 2026, at the Cinema Cine Club Nickelodeon in the heart of Genoa. Davide shares how this "crazy idea" of bringing a brand-new international film festival to Genoa came to life. He takes us behind the scenes of a rigorous selection process that screened over 300 submissions from 60+ countries to select just 35 final shorts and feature films. The lineup is packed with cinematic gems, ranging from Student Academy Award finalists to Cannes Film Festival Palme d'Or winners. Throughout the interview, we explore the irreplaceable value of watching movies together on the big screen—an emotion that isn't divided among the audience, but multiplied. We also dive into the crucial differences between shorts and features, and the festival's commitment to vital modern themes like environmental sustainability, gender equality, and spotlighting young student filmmakers. Plus, Davide teases some juicy behind-the-scenes stories from major productions, including an insider look from Netflix actor Sebastian Mayberg.