The 72nd edition of the Taormina Film Festival is bringing major celebrity power to Sicily this summer, with Academy Award-winning actress Holly Hunter joining an international jury led by Oscar-winning filmmaker Jane Campion. The festival will take place June 10-14, 2026, in the historic Ancient Theatre of Taormina.
Festival director Tiziana Rocca unveiled the first details during a press conference at the Cannes Film Festival, confirming that legendary actress Helen Mirren will receive the Taormina Film Festival Achievement Award during a special evening dedicated to Italian cinema icon Anna Magnani. The celebration will also include a screening of the restored version of Bellissima directed by Luchino Visconti in honor of the film’s 75th anniversary.
Rocca described this year’s edition as a bridge between auteur cinema and audiences, emphasizing international voices, women in film, and emerging talent.
The celebrity-packed jury includes Hunter alongside costume designer Miyako Bellizzi, casting director Francine Maisler, filmmaker Akinola Davies Jr., Amazon MGM Studios marketing executive Sue Kroll, and Italian actor-director Pietro Castellitto.
Hunter remains one of Hollywood’s most celebrated actresses, winning the Academy Award for The Piano while earning additional Oscar nominations for Broadcast News, The Firm, and Thirteen.
The festival will also spotlight women in entertainment through a special June 11 panel titled “Women Beyond the Lens.” Participants are set to include Campion, Hunter, Francine Maisler, Miyako Bellizzi, Sue Kroll, singer Malika Ayane, actress Clotilde Courau, filmmaker Francesca Archibugi, Brazilian actress and writer Fernanda Torres, and actress Romana Maggiora Vergano.
Among the first films announced is Bear Country from director Derrick Borte starring Russell Crowe, Luke Evans, Teresa Palmer, Nina Dobrev and Aaron Paul. The film will have its world premiere at the Ancient Theatre as a special event screening.
The festival will feature four sections this year: the International Feature Film Competition, Out of Competition titles, Special Events at the Ancient Theatre, and a new Short Film Competition focused on films shot in Sicily.
