Fontana Liri Marcello Mastroianni Award

An award born in Mastroianni's hometown

The Fontana Liri Marcello Mastroianni Award was established in 2016 through the initiative of the municipal administration led by Mayor Gianpio Sarracco and the Marcello Mastroianni Study Center, directed by Santina Pistilli, based on a concept by artist Franco Bianchi Poteca. The goal is both simple and ambitious: to make Fontana Liri, a village in the province of Frosinone in the heart of the Ciociaria region, a living memorial to Italian cinema, rather than just the plaque marking the birthplace of one of the 20th century's most beloved actors.

Marcello Mastroianni was born in Fontana Liri on September 28, 1924, and the annual calendar of celebrations is centered around this date. The award is organized by the Municipality of Fontana Liri in collaboration with the Study Center, the Pro Loco, and the RomArtEventi association, under the artistic direction of film critic Gerry Guida.

How the event unfolds

The established format spans two days. The first is dedicated to in-depth analysis: a conference or roundtable featuring scholars, journalists, and authors who explore an aspect of the actor's career, often inspired by a newly released book. The second day, the highlight of the event, hosts the awards ceremony at the Multi-purpose Center, featuring the recipients, film clips, personal testimonies, and musical interludes.

• Thematic conference on Mastroianni and Italian cinema
• Awards ceremony with actors, directors, and industry professionals
• Presentation of the award-piece designed by artist Franco Bianchi Poteca
• Public meetings and social gatherings hosted by the Pro Loco

A prestigious roll of honor

Over the years, the award has brought prominent names from Italian cinema and television to the Ciociaria region. Past recipients include Michele Placido, Franco Nero, Giulio Scarpati, Liliana Cavani, Ricky Tognazzi, Barbara Bouchet, and Francesco Pannofino. The 2024 edition, coinciding with the centenary of the actor's birth, honored Sergio Castellitto, Edoardo Leo, Leo Gullotta, and Ursula Andress. In 2025, for the tenth edition, the awards were presented to Gianmarco Tognazzi, Luca Manfredi, Emanuela Rossi, Gioia Spaziani, and American director Rob Schmidt.

Fontana Liri and the Liri Valley

Fontana Liri is a town in southern Lazio, about eighty kilometers from Rome, divided into two parts: Fontana Liri Superiore, perched around the remains of the castle, and Fontana Liri Inferiore, along the Liri River. It is a land of water, mills, and ancient manufacturing traditions, which in recent years has chosen Mastroianni's memory as a key part of its identity and a driver for tourism.

Those arriving for the award find much more than just a gala evening: walks through the village, visits to the actor's childhood haunts, the authentic Ciociarian cuisine of local trattorias, and the opportunity to extend the trip to nearby Arpino, Isola del Liri with its famous waterfall in the historic center, and the Abbey of Casamari.

Why it is worth attending

The Fontana Liri Award is not a massive film festival, and that is precisely its strength: its intimate scale allows for direct, informal contact with the stars of Italian cinema, in a village atmosphere far removed from the typical red-carpet spectacle. For film history enthusiasts, it is also a precious opportunity for learning, thanks to the conferences and archival materials preserved and promoted by the Study Center.