Kevin Spacey will open the 21st edition of the Lucca Film Festival, which runs in the Tuscan city from 20 to 28 September 2025.
The two-time Academy Award winner will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award on opening night at Cinema Astra, where he will also present the world premiere of his latest film 1780, alongside director Dustin Fairbanks and producer Spero Stamboulis.
On 21 September, Kevin Spacey will lead a public masterclass revisiting a career of more than four decades, with acclaimed roles in The Usual Suspects, American Beauty, Seven, L.A. Confidential and the series House of Cards. The actor has returned to the spotlight after his rehabilitation following sexual misconduct allegations, which were dismissed in the United States and cleared in a UK court.
Other leading figures will also be honoured. Director Gianni Amelio will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award, Michele Riondino will present La valle dei sorrisi, and Pietro Marcello will showcase his new work Duse, dedicated to the actress Eleonora Duse.
The festival will host two international competitions for feature and short films, with jurors including Mimmo Calopresti, Chiara Caselli, Fabrice Du Welz, Isabella Ragonese and Lamberto Bava. Highlights include an homage to David Lynch, the Italian premiere of Scarlett Johansson’s directorial debut Eleanor the Great, and a shorts competition on sustainability.
As in past editions, Lucca will stage “Lucca Effetto Cinema” on 27 September, transforming the historic centre into a live performance space inspired by classic films. The closing night on 28 September will feature a special screening of Bava’s Demoni to mark its 40th anniversary.
The Lucca Film Festival has become a major cultural event in Tuscany, previously hosting Oliver Stone, David Lynch, Susan Sarandon, Isabelle Huppert, Willem Dafoe and Paolo Sorrentino.
