Diciannove (Nineteen in Italian), the debut feature film by Giovanni Tortorici, is attracting early buzz ahead of its premiere at the Orizzonti showcase at the upcoming Venice Film Festival. Co-produced by Luca Guadagnino and starring Manfredi Marini and Vittoria Planeta, the movie is a heartfelt, touching and daring coming-of-age adventure set between Siena and Turin.

In the movie, nineteen-year-old Leonardo swaps the sun-drenched streets of Palermo for the bustling metropolis of London to embark on university life. Yet, the allure of independence soon fades amidst the familiar comforts of his sister’s home. Impulsively seeking a fresh start, he transfers to the historic city of Siena to immerse himself in the world of literature. Frustrated by academic constraints, Leonardo abandons formal education to independently explore the Italian literary canon. This solitary pursuit ignites a profound period of self-discovery, enriched by chance encounters with kindred spirits. A year later, a journey to Turin introduces him to a potential catalyst for a new chapter in his life.

Diciannove will have its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival, and international premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival this Fall.