Michela Scolari

A heartfelt thank you to the La Femme International Film Festival for selecting the Director’s Cut of my beloved “Sicilian Holiday”, which was screened last night in Budapest.

Watching this film again was a deeply cathartic experience. Seeing the characters of a story I wrote, directed, and produced alongside @adamleipzig @rai_cinema and so many extraordinary colleagues reminded me of something precious: we were never just making a film. We were a family.

Giant thank you to @maxleo70 for creating the look of our precious film and @massitrevis for the enchanting cinematography.

My gratitude goes to every member of this incredible cast and crew, especially @lillyenglert Claudia Gerini, Tony Schiena, Francesco Leone, Ivo Romagnoli, Nicoleta Nucă, Lee Levi, Nunzio Bertolani, Felix Maximilian, Fuchsia Kate Sumner, Rintintin, all the children, Maestro Catanzaro, and everyone who poured their heart into this journey.

And among the film’s greatest stars, I must thank Sciacca itself. More than a location, more than a backdrop, Sciacca became a living soul within the story—its beauty, its warmth, its people, its light. It was not merely where Sicilian Holiday was filmed; it was one of its most unforgettable protagonists.

But above all, this film belongs to him.

My best friend.

The man to whom this film is dedicated.

An extraordinary human being, an extraordinary actor, and a friend loved by everyone: Rocco Ancarola.

I cried watching the film again.
I cried watching him.
I cried knowing he is no longer here.

And then, after the rain that accompanied the screening, as we stepped out of the cinema, a magnificent rainbow appeared above us—bright, vibrant, joyful, impossible to ignore.

And there he was.

Just as always.

The sign I had been waiting for.

The gentle reminder that happiness is never truly lost.

Thank you, Budapest.
Thank you, La Femme.
Thank you, Sciacca.
Thank you, my friends.

And thank you, Rocco. 🌈❤️

#SicilianHoliday #Sciacca #LaFemmeIFF #Budapest #womenincinema