Rai Cinema has taken a targeted step to introduce the Italian film Napoli–New York to the U.S. market with a special industry screening held on April 24, 2026, at the SAG-AFTRA Foundation Robin Williams Center in New York City. Rather than a traditional premiere, the event was designed to connect with distributors, media professionals, and members of the Italian American community.
The audience included producers, buyers, journalists, and cultural representatives, highlighting the film’s dual objective – promoting Italian cinema abroad while opening doors for commercial distribution. Among those present were Paolo Del Brocco, CEO of Rai Cinema, and Robert Allegrini, president of the National Italian American Foundation.
At this stage, the film does not yet have a confirmed U.S. release. The New York screening serves as a positioning move, giving industry decision-makers the opportunity to evaluate the project for distribution deals, festival inclusion, or future theatrical runs.
Directed by Gabriele Salvatores and based on a story by Federico Fellini and Tullio Pinelli, Napoli–New York tells the story of two children, Carmine and Celestina, who leave postwar Naples and travel secretly to the United States. Set between Italy and 1940s New York, the film blends migration history with a coming-of-age narrative.
The cast features Pierfrancesco Favino alongside young actors Dea Lanzaro and Antonio Guerra, with international performers including Omar Benson Miller and Tomas Arana. The runtime is approximately 124 minutes.
Produced by Paco Cinematografica and Rai Cinema, the film was shot in multiple locations – Naples, Trieste, Cinecittà Studios, and Croatia. It also earned recognition at the David di Donatello Awards, winning Best Visual Effects in 2025.
This New York event marks an important step in the film’s international path. While distribution in the U.S. is not yet secured, the strategy increases visibility and strengthens its chances of reaching American audiences.
