The Italian Film Festival Pays Tribute to Claudia Cardinale This Week

The Italian Film Festival Pays Tribute to Claudia Cardinale This Week

One of Lisbon's most beloved cinema traditions returns with a star-studded honor this week. The Italian Film Festival of Lisbon runs through April 18 in its 19th edition, opening with the latest film by Oscar-winning director Paolo Sorrentino. This year's festival is dedicated entirely to iconic Italian actress Claudia Cardinale, with a retrospective of her most defining roles — Once Upon a Time in the West, 8½, The Leopard, and more — screened across the festival's cinemas and paired with talks, exhibitions, and Italian food and wine events.

The closing gala happens at the historic Coliseu dos Recreios on the night of April 18, a black-tie event that doubles as a celebration of Italian-Portuguese cinematic friendship. The festival program weaves film screenings with Italian music, literature, and gastronomy events across Lisbon's favorite cultural venues.

If you're going: single-ticket screenings are widely available; the closing gala requires advance booking. The festival partners with Italian restaurants across Lisbon for themed menus during the week.

Sources: Portugal.com, Lisbon Explorers