Italian
Shades of Dolce Vita from Trieste arrives in Pompeii after touring the Balkans: art, photography, and cinema are the stars of the International Film Festival. Enrico Vanzina at the ribbon-cutting before his Masterclass
Trieste – From June 1st to 6th, 2026, in the evocative setting of Pompeii, a special edition of “Sfumature di Dolce Vita” will take place as part of the International Film Festival of Pompeii directed by Annarita Borrelli.
The initiative, realized in partnership with Filmamo, is set up as an international collective exhibition dedicated to Italian art in its most authentic expressions, creating a dialogue between photography, painting, contemporary art, and cinema in one of the most fascinating cultural contexts of the Italian landscape.
The protagonists of the exhibition will be photographers, painters, and Italian artists who will present works inspired by the theme “La Dolce Vita,” a tribute to the beauty, style, and cultural identity of our country, in harmony with the cinematic and visual language that the Festival represents.
The central theme of the review will also be “Revealed Identity,” a common thread that will guide artists and the audience on a journey dedicated to discovering the deepest essence of people, territories, and emotions through the language of art and image.
Nexus in Pompeii
The event will take place inside the prestigious Nexus, an innovative multifunctional structure located in the heart of MaxiMall Pompei, one of the most modern hubs in Southern Italy dedicated to shopping, entertainment, culture, and hospitality.
The Nexus features seven technologically advanced rooms dedicated to cinema, theater, conferences, and cultural events, designed to host high-profile experiences. The inaugural evening of the Pompeii Film Festival will take place in the prestigious Nike Hall, while panels, meetings, and side events will enliven the other spaces of the complex.
The project also engages with a contemporary reality that brings together international brands, innovation, business areas, green spaces, and hospitality thanks to the presence of Moxy Pompeii, a format of the Marriott Bonvoy chain dedicated to modern travelers.
The official presentation of the exhibition will take place on June 4, 2026 with the prestigious ribbon-cutting ceremony entrusted to Enrico Vanzina, following his highly anticipated masterclass dedicated to Italian cinema and contemporary storytelling.
“Bringing “Shades of Dolce Vita” to Pompeii means creating a meeting of different artistic languages in a place that possesses extraordinary evocative power. This exhibition arises from the desire to tell the story of Italy through different sensibilities, perspectives, and identities, putting photography, painting, and contemporary art in dialogue with the world of cinema. The theme “Revealed Identity” aims to be an invitation to look beyond the surface, to rediscover what makes people, territories, and emotions authentic,” says Linda Simeone.
“The collaboration with the Pompeii Film Festival, Filmamo, and the MaxiMall Pompeii represents an extraordinary opportunity for cultural and international growth for us. We deeply believe in the contamination between different arts and in the possibility of creating events that are not just exhibitions, but true experiences capable of leaving a mark on the audience and the artists themselves.”
“As Filmamo, the Social Network of Movies, we deeply believe in the value of film festivals because they represent the perfect meeting point between our online community of Film Lovers and the real-life experience of live events. Filmamo loves photography and photographic exhibitions because they are closely tied to the world of cinema: both tell stories through images, emotions, and artistic visions capable of leaving a mark,” says Luca Redavid.
“Supporting a project like ‘Shades of Dolce Vita’ means enhancing not only the talent of the involved artists but also the ability of visual art to create authentic cultural connections between people, territories, and contemporary languages.”
The inauguration will see the presence of artists, professionals from the film industry, collectors, art enthusiasts, and representatives from the national and international cultural scene.
The Pompei edition is part of an international journey that began last year, when “Shades of Dolce Vita” was hosted in Capodistria, Athens, Fier, and Rijeka. The project will also continue its international development with a future stop planned in São Paulo.
“Shades of Dolce Vita” was born as a bridge between visual arts and cinema, between tradition and contemporary, offering a unique opportunity to share visions, emotions, and creativity in a context of great prestige, where art meets the territory and its millenary history.
The event is promoted by Le Vie delle Foto, consolidating a network of cultural relations that extends internationally.
