Empowering The Emirati Creatives And Talents
The Festival to Implement and Increase the Emirati Film Industry Towards the World
With the Auspices of
With the Patronage of
The Events
Celebrating the friendship between UAE and Italy
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La Dolce Via Festival
Press Highlights
ITALY AND THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES IN CONVERSATION
The La Dolce Via Festival has sparked a vibrant cultural dialogue between Italy and the United Arab Emirates, earning significant visibility across major Italian and Emirati newspapers, television networks, and digital platforms. Celebrated by leading media from both nations, the festival has affirmed its role as a bridge between two cultures united by a shared appreciation for art, beauty, education, and creativity.
For our partners, supporters, and future sponsors, this media presence is not just a recognition — it is a strategic opportunity.
The exceptional press coverage highlights the festival’s powerful ability to engage audiences, shape narratives, and elevate brands within both markets.
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La Dolce Via Festival
NOVEMBER 25TH – 26TH 2025
MOHAMMED BIN RASHID LIBRARY DUBAI, U.A.E.
The official opening in Dubai included remarks by Edoardo Napoli, Consul General of Italy in Dubai; H.E. Mohamed Al Murr, Chairman of the Mohammed bin Rashid Library; Professor Abdul Razaq Muthanna, President of the American University in the Emirates and two members of the Cultural Board of the Festival Thoraya Al-Awadhi and Roberta Calarese. All received the La Dolce Via Festival Awards, presented by Festival Director Benedetta Paravia for their contribution to cultural and academic collaboration between Italy and the UAE.
The program featured two educational masterclasses: Gabriele Mainetti (production and directing), moderated by Samr Al Marzouqi, and Alessandro Preziosi (acting), moderated by Benedetta Paravia. Students also attended the screening of They Call Me Jeeg by Gabriele Mainetti.
On Wednesday, November 26th, the day opened with the screening of Freaks Out, followed by a workshop on directing, visual language, and creative processes, and concluded with the screening of The Forbidden City.
La Dolce Via Festival
NOVEMBER 24TH 2025
CULTURAL FOUNDATION ABU DHABI, U.A.E.
On 24 November, the Cultural Foundation Abu Dhabi hosted the Masterclass of Italian director and producer Gabriele Mainetti, author of some of the most significant Italian films of recent years. The event was attended by the Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of Italy in Abu Dhabi, Giacomo Buonaiuto, the Embassy’s delegates and Italian actor Alessandro Preziosi.
The Masterclass, moderated by Benedetta Paravia, marked the first time that a contemporary Italian director and producer held a professional session at the Cultural Foundation, one of Abu Dhabi’s most prominent cultural institutions.
The audience was composed of professionals from the film, advertising and audiovisual production sectors, interested in exploring the director’s creative and production processes.
Italian
Presentation Day
OCTOBER 27TH 2025
SENATE OF THE ITALIAN REPUBLIC ROME, ITALY
The Italian presentation of La Dolce Via Festival took place in the Sala Nassiriya of the Senate of the Republic, hosted by Senator Cinzia Pellegrino.
The event was organised and moderated by Benedetta Paravia, featuring the participation of H.E. Abdulla Al Subousi, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Italy. The event opened with a congratulatory message from the President of the Italian Senate, Ignazio La Russa, who joined the audience via connection from Milan.
Took part of the panel speech: Regional Councillor Simona Renata Baldassarre; Senator Marco Scurria; Paolo Giuntarelli, Director for Cinema and Tourism of the Lazio Region; Antonio Saccone, President of Cinecittà; Cristina Bolla, President of the Liguria Film Commission; and film director and producer Gabriele Mainetti, special guest of the Festival’s November edition.
University
Movie screening
& Masterclass
APRIL 29TH 2025
ZAYED UNIVERSITY, KHALIFA CITY ABU DHABI, UAE
Zayed University students participated in a cinematic masterclass as part of the La Dolce Via Festival to inspire Emirati youth to pursue careers in cinema and explore advanced study opportunities in Italy.
In addition to the cultural and industrial aspect, La Dolce Via offers specific workshops and masterclasses for the Emirati students who wants to professionally Organised by Zayed University’s College of Communication and Media Sciences, under the leadership of Acting Dean Prof. Russell Williams, the event offered Emirati students the opportunity to explore the creative and technical dimensions of filmmaking.
The event was attended by Dr. Claudio Ramunno, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Italy.
UAE
Presentation Day
DECEMBER 27TH 2024
TOUR AMERIGO VESPUCCI E VILLAGGIO ITALIA ABU DHABI
An event, curated by Benedetta Paravia, dedicated to promoting Italian cinematic culture, featuring the screening the film “Goffredo, e l’Italia chiamò” by Angelo Antonucci.
The initiative aims to raise awareness of Italian cinema in the United Arab Emirates and to support young people, particularly Emirati students, in developing their creativity and skills to pursue a career in the film industry, providing opportunities and inspiration to become professionals in the field.
The Locations
In Abu Dhabi the venue partner is the Cultural Foundation and in Dubai the Festival is in partnership with the Mohammed bin Rashid Library in Al Jaddaf. The Festival is involving university’s students in collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education.
The U.A.E. is already a hub of international interest thanks for its unique locations and leadership vision.
Film Festival
An Emirati-Italian film festival that serves as a platform to promote the art of film and cultural exchange between the two countries. This event offers film enthusiasts the opportunity to discover a range of movies, providing a unique and stimulating perspective on the different realities and cultures of both countries as premises to help develop the regional film industry, creating a favourable environment for directors, producers, actors and other industry professionals to present their work and establish connections with collaborators and investors.
In addition to the cultural and industrial aspect, La Dolce Via offers specific workshops and masterclasses for the Emirati students who wants to professionally join the film industry.
It is an opportunity to discover old and new talents from both countries and participate in discussions on contemporary filmmaking.
Objectives
Objectives
1
To train future Emirati producers, directors, cinematographers, actors and screenwriters
2
To make in the next years La Dolce Via Festival one of the best events to promote Italian and Emirati cinema and beyond through innovative proposal in favour of the young talents.
3
To promote young talents by allowing them to go beyond the borders of their own country through a network of acquaintances and media promotion of their work.
4
Accelerate industry growth through international co-productions and strategic distribution partnerships between Italy and the UAE, establishing both nations as global hubs for creative innovation and high-end film production.
5
To develop co-productions and collaborations between producers and industry professionals of both countries.
Programming
La Dolce Via Festival will last for four days and the first edition is programmed in 2025. It will be screen four films per day, two of them will be classics that have made cinema history and will be screen in the afternoon, while the remaining two will be some of the latest movie productions that will be screen for the nightly red carpet event.
Eligible films will be only Italian and Emirati productions.
The Students’ Jury
The students, coming from the partnering Universities, will award the best feature film, accordingly with their own perspective.
Rules
Films eligible for selection
1
Have a minimum duration of 60 minutes.
2
In case of original language films, they require subtitles in English.
3
Only made in Italy and made in U.A.E. movies by Italian and Emirati directors will be accepted.
Workshops and
Interactive Sessions
Workshops
The festival will feature workshops that foster direct engagement between Italian film professionals and Emirati students.
Through interactive sessions with directors, producers, and actors from Italy, students will have the chance to ask questions, exchange ideas, and gain insight into the art of filmmaking.
These encounters aim to inspire creativity, encourage collaboration, and strengthen cultural and professional ties between Italy and the UAE.
Masterclasses
The Masterclasses represent one of the most engaging and educational moments of the Festival. Conducted by acclaimed Italian filmmakers, producers, screenwriters and actors, these full-immersion sessions allow Emirati students and young talents to explore every stage of cinematic creation — from directing and production to screenwriting and acting.
Through direct interaction, participants will have the chance to ask questions, exchange ideas, and gain valuable insights into the creative and technical processes behind successful films. Each session is designed to foster dialogue, creativity, and inspiration, encouraging students to develop their own artistic voice while learning from Italy’s leading cinema professionals.
Participants
Engaging U.A.E. Universities selected by the Ministry of Culture will involve young emerging Emirati talents, who will be able to both learn and work with already established Italian industry professionals, as well as planning educational trips to Italy to become outstanding professionals.
Made in…
The Tourism Festival
The Festival raises awareness of lesser-known Italian destinations and alternative food itineraries. The local realities of our Regions is represented, standing out for their naturalistic beauty, villages, niche artisanal realities, unique naturalistic oases where the students can have access to traditions.
“Italy must convey a diversified tourist offer compatible with the environment and with the sustainable use of the same”
2023/2027 Strategic Tourism Plan.
Made in U.A.E.
And Made In Italy
La Dolce Via dedicates a central space to culture, fine arts, fashion, cuisine, and luxury, promoting Italian and Emirati brands offering the opportunity to showcase their products and enhance their brand visibility.
Art
An exhibition of an Italian artist and an Emirati artist will take place at the same time as the festival.
Luxury, Quality and Design
The presence of prestigious sponsors from both countries contributes to the success of the Festival.
Fashion
During the 3 days of the Festival students can also enjoy Emirati and Italian artisanal fashion shows and presentations of collections.
Culture in Food
Food has always been a defining expression of culture and a bridge for intercultural exchange. The Festival will offer a unique opportunity to share a multisensory journey through Italian and Emirati culinary experiences, celebrating tradition, creativity, and dialogue between the two cultures.
Logo & Award
The Logo
THE MEANING BEHIND THE LOGO
The logo of La Dolce Via Festival is a rich tapestry of symbolism, celebrating the profound connection between Italy’s cultural heritage and the forward-looking spirit of the United Arab Emirates.
At its heart lies a seashell, a historic emblem of the Emirates during the era of the Trucial States, when pearl divers braved the waters of the Gulf in search of natural treasures. This symbol pays homage to the ancestral traditions that continue to shape the Emirati identity.
Nestled within the shell is an ancient, hilltop Italian town—medieval in character, steeped in centuries of art, history, and architecture. A winding path links the town and the shell, symbolizing the road of cultural exchange, friendship, and mutual enrichment between two nations. Italy, as the guest of honour in the U.A.E. during the Festival, journeys along this path toward shared understanding and collaboration.
The Award
THE FUTURE IS NOW
Completing this symbolic image is a stylized female figure – an icon of elegance, strength and vision, gracefully humble – representing the young generations of the U.A.E.
She stands for a future that is already unfolding, thanks to the foresight of the nation’s leadership. With dignity and admiration, she holds the past in her hands, recognizing that no future can exist without strong roots.
The logo and the award thus become a visual bridge: a tribute to shared history and a celebration of a bright, united tomorrow.
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Info
The team
U.A.E.
Samr Husain Al Marzooqi
ITALY – U.A.E.
Benedetta Paravia
ITALY
Giovanni Maggipinto
With the Auspices of
With the Auspices of
With the Patronage of
Venue Partner
Festival Partner
Media Partner
Production
Official Insurance Partner
