For the first time, the Emerald Theatre in downtown Mount Clemens will be part of this year's Italian Film Festival USA of Metro Detroit. The historic theater, which first opened in 1921, will host free screenings of the best contemporary films in Italian cinema April 19-20. 

The festival will open Wednesday, April 3 at the Detroit Institute of Arts' Detroit Film Theatre, with the 2018 comedy "Benedetta follia" (Blessed Madness). Following the opening, screenings will be held in locations on weekends, including Wayne State University April 5-6, Michigan State University April 12-13, Sun Theatre in Grand Ledge April 13-14 and Detroit Film Theatre April 26-28.