There comes a moment, at film festivals, when the region stops being just a backdrop and becomes the protagonist. This is what happened at the 5th edition of the Coliseum International Film Festival (COLIFFE) 2025, where Sardinia didn't just host a stage of the festival, but left a profound mark, winning two of the event's most significant awards.
In the evocative nocturnal setting of Oristano , the island's cinema celebrated a true auteur double thanks to the works of director Roberto Pili, produced by his brother Francesco Pili.
The first recognition went to the documentary Lucy – A Pioneer’s Destiny, awarded ex aequo for Best Editing in the section dedicated to International Sports Videos .
A film that crosses continents and prejudices to bring to the public the story of Lucy Alves, the first Brazilian female soccer player to play in Europe and Italy, back in 1987, playing for BKV Trani. The film is a vibrant portrait of courage and determination, enriched by the testimonies of footballing icons such as Nelson Dida, world champion and former AC Milan player, and Antonella Carta, historic captain of the Italian national team and the pride of Sardinian football. More than a sports story, it is an act of remembrance and redemption.
The second prize, however, has even deeper roots in the island's culture. With Goppà, a short film in Sardinian written by Giuseppe Ungari, Roberto Pili won the Best Director award in the National Short Films section .
Set on the streets of Cagliari, the film explores a relationship suspended between friendship and crime, where past and present intertwine in a game of choices never fully resolved. A lean, intense work, it uses language and atmosphere as narrative tools to offer audiences authentic and profoundly human cinema.
Coliffe, an international festival, brought to Sardinia a rich lineup of leading figures in Italian and international cinema. This year's award winners and guests included names such as Franco Nero, Elisabetta Pellini, Stefania Casini, Mariasole Pollio, and Oscar-winning director and special effects artist Antony La Molinara, alongside new voices in contemporary cinema and numerous international artists.
