Tribute
A section dedicated to key figures in Italian cinema. The tribute, curated by Enrico Magrelli, includes a retrospective of the artist's most representative films, a special event, and the presentation of the Golden Olive Tree) for Lifetime Achievement—an award reserved for masters who have left an indelible mark on the history of cinema.
Over the course of previous editions, the Festival has presented its very first tribute to Ugo Tognazzi, followed by that ones to Carmelo Bene, Giancarlo Giannini, Fabrizio Bentivoglio, Virna Lisi, Lucia Bosè, Valeria Golino, Michele Placido, Margherita Buy, Carlo Verdone, Toni Servillo, Sergio Castellitto, Francesca Neri, Claudia Cardinale, Milena Vukotic, Paola Cortellesi, Christian De Sica, Elio Germano, Isabella Ferrari, Valerio Mastandrea, Kim Rossi Stuart, Jasmine Trinca, Stefania Sandrelli, Dario Argento, Giovanna Ralli, Sergio Rubini, Micaela Ramazzotti, Giovanna Mezzogiorno, and—last year—Saverio Costanzo.
A TRIBUTE TO ENZO D’ALÒ
A complete retrospective dedicated to the master of auteur animation
Animation takes center stage at the European Film Festival (Lecce, November 7–14) with a tribute to Enzo D’Alò, an undisputed master of European animated cinema and a unique filmmaker whose works have been seen around the world.
The festival will present a complete retrospective of his feature films, retracing an extraordinary career that has shaped the imaginations of multiple generations.
Audiences will have the chance to rediscover the director’s entire filmography on the big screen, starting with *La freccia azzurra* (1996); continuing with the highly anticipated return of the masterpiece *La Gabbianella e il gatto* (1998)—presented in a restored version—as well as *Momo alla conquista del tempo* (2001), *Opopomoz* (2003), *Pinocchio* (2012), and *Pipì, Pupù e Rosmarina in: Il mistero delle note rapite* (2017); and concluding with his most recent work, *Mary e lo spirito di mezzanotte* (2023). But it is not just about cinema: Enzo D’Alò is also venturing into fiction with *Oceani di carta*, a new novel co-written with Giacomo Scarpelli and published by Salani.
Rounding out the cinematic showcase is a screening of *Il flauto magico*, a celebrated episode from the hit TV series *Pipì, Pupù e Rosmarina alla ricerca del Mapá*, which later served as the basis for the subsequent feature film. The entire *Pipì, Pupù e Rosmarina* universe—comprising a 78-episode TV series, four special shorts dedicated to opera, and the feature film—marks the creative synergy between Enzo D’Alò and Vincenzo Cerami. A highlight of the event will be the presentation of the *Ulivo d’Oro* (Golden Olive Tree) for lifetime achievement, followed by a public session hosted by Davide Di Giorgio—the curator of the tribute—who will guide the audience through an exploration of Enzo d’Alò’s artistic vision, underscoring the extraordinary narrative richness of his works and characters.
“Over the years, Enzo d’Alò has built an extraordinary filmography capable of speaking to the hearts of different generations, thanks to a unique and unmistakable style,” notes Alberto La Monica, the Festival’s artistic director. “In his cinema, masterful animation, musical sensitivity, and refined visual poetry intertwine with universal stories deeply rooted in human values and empathy. We are delighted to have d’Alò at the Festival and for him to engage in dialogue not only with the general public but also with local students.”
D’Alò’s career has been marked by prestigious accolades, including two nominations for the European Film Awards (for *Pinocchio* and *Mary and the Midnight Spirit*), a UNICEF Mention in 2009, the Franco Bianchi Award at the Venice Film Festival in 2013, and the Best Animated Film award at the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival in 2023.
