All information about the festival is available on the website: https://www.hallelujahfilmfestival.com/



Italian Independent Productions is pleased to present the Hallelujah Film Festival: International Peace Symposium, an international film showcase that debuted from December 6 to 13, 2025 in Castel Gandolfo, transforming the symbolic locations of the Castelli Romani into a true “cathedral of cultural dialogue.” The Festival was created with the ambition of using cinema as a tool for dialogue, reflection, and peace-building, placing at its core films, encounters, symposia, and moments of shared reflection that speak to the conscience of communities around the world.

The first edition of the Hallelujah Film Festival found its home in venues rich in cultural and spiritual identity, such as the Centro Mariapoli, the Borgo Laudato Si’, the Pontifical School Paul VI, the Church of San Tommaso da Villanova, and the City Council Hall of Albano Laziale. These spaces offered not only ideal stages for screenings and discussions, but also a context in which cinematic art could engage directly with the social and cultural fabric of the territory.

One of the most significant highlights of the event was the national premiere of Don Matteo 15, presented in an exclusive preview on December 5 and 6: a special double screening that officially opened the festival, bringing together students and audiences to celebrate one of the most beloved Italian television series ahead of its broadcast on Rai 1 in January 2026.

The program successfully combined high-profile cinematic celebrations with profound reflections on the human condition. The festival opened with the screening of La casa di Ninetta by Lina Sastri, who introduced her film dedicated to the maternal figure with a special performance in the crypt of the Church of Castel Gandolfo. The program then paid tribute to the musical legacy of Ennio Morricone with the screening of Roland Joffé’s classic The Mission, accompanied by special recognitions awarded to Andrea Morricone and flutist Andrea Griminelli for their role in preserving and promoting the Maestro’s work.

Among the many projects screened throughout the week, the Festival offered moments of strong emotional and educational impact, including Io Capitano by Matteo Garrone, an intense reflection on migration, and a screening of Cinema Paradiso, introduced by Marco Leonardi, who engaged in dialogue with students of the Pontifical School Paul VI, emphasizing the formative and collective power of the cinematic experience.

Prominent guests enriched the festival with their presence and contributions, including internationally renowned director Liliana Cavani, Noa — artist and peace ambassador — Cristiana Capotondi, featured in a special presentation connected to the figure of Chiara Lubich, as well as Lina Sastri, Vince Riotta, Phil Palmer, Maria Pia Calzone, and Marco Pontecorvo. Their participation brought testimonies, insights, and exchanges that made each day a unique moment of cultural and creative encounter.

Beyond film screenings, the Festival also promoted wide-ranging thematic symposia, such as The Strength of Women – Guardians of Peace, Architects of the Future, held at the Borgo Laudato Si’. The event focused on the role of women in advancing social justice, human rights, and peaceful coexistence, with the participation of leading figures from the international cultural scene.

Another defining moment of the Hallelujah Film Festival was the interreligious round table held in the City Council Hall of Albano Laziale, which brought together representatives of different religious traditions to engage in dialogue on peace and fraternity, fully reflecting the inclusive and universal spirit of the Festival.

With a selection of more than 300 films from around the world, chosen through the international FilmFreeway platform, and a rich calendar of screenings, musical events such as the concert by the Vatican Gendarmerie Band, talks, and in-depth discussions, the Hallelujah Film Festival established itself as an event of outstanding artistic, cultural, and human value — capable of bringing together audiences, filmmakers, and leading voices of the global cultural landscape in the name of peace and the beauty of cinema.

Looking ahead to future editions, this first experience confirms the Festival as one of the most ambitious new realities on the international circuit: a place where cinema is not merely entertainment, but a powerful instrument for dialogue, reflection, and social transformation.

For the complete gallery and all articles related to the film festival: https://www.hallelujahfilmfestival.com/gallery