The Italian competition trio
Simone Catania's Brianza, Susanna Nicchiarelli's Giorni felici and Kasia Smutniak's documentary Mustang are the three Italian selections in the 18-film Progressive Cinema competition. Giorni felici adapts Zuzu's graphic novel, while Brianza is set around a debt-strained family business in 2009.
The program is broader than the contest
The festival also programs nonfiction work on Jovanotti, Daniele De Rossi and other cultural and sporting figures, plus a dedicated space for episodic storytelling. These titles belong to different strands, so being announced does not mean every film is competing for the main jury prizes.
The confirmed frame
The 21st edition runs October 13–25 at the Auditorium Parco della Musica Ennio Morricone and other Rome venues. Official festival material confirms Monica Vitti as the face of this year's image, using Sergio Strizzi's photograph from Antonioni's L'eclisse.
Update note: Original source-read festival guide separating the competition slate, documentary program and official Monica Vitti tribute.
Original headline: Festa del Cinema, 3 italiani in gara: Nicchiarelli, Smutniak e Catania. Doc su Jovanotti e De Rossi
Source check: La Repubblica and official festival materials reflect the same Rome Film Fest program announcement. They confirm the selection and dates but constitute one festival origin, so no independent-origin boost is awarded.
The receipts
September 25 program report used for the competition and documentary slate.
Official festival release confirming the dates, venue and Monica Vitti image provenance.
Publisher program report and festival materials read. Attribution does not mean independent verification. The original publisher may require a subscription.