The Umbria Region is launching a new tourism promotion project called Umbria: The Flavors of Cinema, aimed at enhancing local wine and olive oil excellence through an original combination with cinema. This ambitious project, curated by the Umbrian Cinema Festival Network, will bring some of the “green heart of Italy’s” most beautiful locations to life from September 20th to November 3rd, 2024, over five weekends. The events will feature free film screenings preceded by tastings hosted in scenic wineries and olive mills, offering a unique sensory experience that blends flavors and images. There will also be workshops with schools, tours of movie sets, nature walks, and hikes to fully immerse participants in an authentic artistic and naturalistic experience.
The events
September 20-22 2024, Terni and Orvieto: The first weekend of events will offer a scenic journey through cinema, wine, and Franciscan heritage in southern Umbria, organized by Istess. The program will feature nature trails from Orvieto’s Cliff to the Marmore Falls, film visits to the Papigno studios, where Roberto Benigni filmed Life is Beautiful, Pinocchio, and The Tiger and the Snow—which preserve the artistic sets by Oscar-winning designer Danilo Donati—along with recitals, concerts, tastings, and screenings of iconic Italian cinema classics, with guests like Moni Ovadia and Max Cavallari. Don’t miss the immersive experience on the set of The Legend of the Three Companions, where attendees can transform into extras and live the magic of cinema firsthand, portraying scenes from St. Francis’ life alongside Francesco Salvi and Fabio Bussotti.
October 11-13 2024, Spello, Montefalco, Assisi, and Bevagna: In October, the event will begin in Spello, featuring two workshops—one on sound by Marco Ciorba and another on special effects makeup led by Chiara Scardaoni. In Montefalco, the tribute to actor Walter Chiari will include the presentation of the book 100% Walter Chiari – Biography of an Irregular Genius by Michele Sancisi, Alessandro Boschi, and Simone Annichiarico, followed by a screening of Visconti’s Bellissima, accompanied by tastings. On the second day, there will be a hike from the San Francesco Wood in Assisi to the Benedictine complex of S. Croce. In Bevagna, visitors can explore the locations of Pupi Avati’s Dante alongside costume historian Arianna Duranti, discovering the medieval era through the “Mercato delle Gaite.”
October 18-20 2024, Narni: A few days later, the event will move to Narni, a pioneer in the preservation and restoration of 20th-century films, thanks to Le Vie del Cinema. Visitors can join workshops for primary schools, walks to the Nera Gorge and the Abbey of San Cassiano, exploring film locations from Per grazia ricevuta, Lezioni di cioccolato, and Il paradiso all’improvviso, with readings of Fellini’s works and screenings paired with tastings.
October 25-27 2024, Montone and Umbertide: In the Upper Tiber Valley, the Umbria Film Festival offers a variety of screenings, from comedies like Il Vegetale by Gennaro Nunziante, starring Fabio Rovazzi and Luca Zingaretti and filmed at Lake Piediluco, Quanto Basta with Vinicio Marchioni, to cult classics like Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. A tasting of the Singapore Sling cocktail, prepared by world champion Sara Polidori, will offer a unique touch, allowing participants to immerse even further in the film atmosphere. The renowned filmmaker Terry Gilliam, Festival President and honorary citizen of Montone, will also attend.
A hike to the Montecorona Abbey, an 11th-century Camaldolese hermitage and a film location for Pupi Avati’s Life of Dante, will further enrich the weekend, culminating in Montone.
November 1-3, Magione and Perugia: The grand finale will take place between Perugia and Magione, featuring a screening of Boris – The Movie and a meeting with one of its stars, followed by a screening of My Brother is an Only Child with screenwriter Stefano Rulli. Workshops for children and teens, virtual and augmented reality screenings, and meet-the-author events will also be held. The weekend will conclude with a guided tour of the Santa Maria Valdiponte Abbey in Montelabate and, on November 3rd, with a special event exploring Perugia’s historic center through its cinematic locations.
Umbria: The Flavors of Cinema promises to be an unmissable opportunity to explore the region through the charm of cinema and the pleasures of taste, offering authentic experiences that blend culture, gastronomy, and nature. For information, reservations, and the full program, visit https://www.umbriatourism.it/it/cinema.