Following last month's success at Rome's Hip Hop Cine Fest, "Lontano dal Centro" continues its international journey: the documentary film directed by Cagliari native Roberto Pili and produced by Francesco Pili has been officially selected for the New York Hip Hop Film Festival, an event founded by CR Capers and presented by the organizers as the first and only film festival dedicated exclusively to Stories From The Culture. It is the first Sardinian documentary ever to be selected for the international festival.
Through the story of Richard Di Via, aka DJ Sputo, Sicilian by birth and Sardinian by adoption, the documentary recounts a life dedicated to Hip Hop culture, transforming a personal experience into a universal narrative of identity, passion, belonging, and resilience.
The Hip Hop Film Festival will take place from August 19–23, 2026, in New York City and the Hudson Valley, bringing together directors, producers, and creatives from around the world. The program includes official screenings, talks with the authors, Master Cyphers, cultural events, live performances, and the prestigious GOAT Awards.
"Lontano Dal Centro" was born from the desire to tell a story of a reality that is peripheral to the major cultural and media centers, demonstrating how even from the margins, authentic, universal stories can emerge, capable of engaging with an international audience.
The 2026 edition of the festival stands out for the significant opportunities it offers selected filmmakers. Among these is the opportunity to access an Oscar-qualifying process: as announced by founder CR Capers, the festival will select a short film to support and guide its development into a future feature film.
(Unioneonline)
