Enzo D’Alò

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, tracing 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 inspired 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 Lifetime Achievement "Golden Olive" award and a public session hosted by Davide Di Giorgio—the curator of the tribute—who will guide the audience in exploring 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 crowned with prestigious accolades, including two European Film Award nominations (for *Pinocchio* and *A Greyhound of a Girl*), 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.