Italy has selected Francesco Costabile’s drama Familia as its candidate for the Best International Feature Film category at the 98th Academy Awards.
The biographical drama, co-written by Costabile, Vittorio Moroni and Andriano Chiarelli, is based on Luigi Celeste’s memoir Non sarà sempre così about his youth as a far-right militant, living in the shadow of domestic violence, with a criminal father.
The drama world premiered in the Venice Film Festival’s Orizzonti sidebar in 2024.
The selection process overseen by Italian film body Anica involved 24 films submissions this year, which also included Gianfranco Rosi’s Below the Clouds, Pietro Marcello’s Duse, and Leonardo Di Costanzo’s psychological drama Elisa.
The committee consisted of Italian film professionals Micaela Fusco, Alessandra Magliaro, Gabriele Muccino, Olivia Musini, Simona Paggi, Federico Pontiggia, Micaela Ramazzotti, Stefano Sardo, and Vito Sinopoli.
Italy’s last submission was Maura Delpero’s World War Two drama Vermiglio, which was selected after winning the Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize in Venice in 2024, and then made it as far as the shortlist.
About the Author
