ITAFF25: Diva Futura

DIVA FUTURA

Australian premiere

In 1980s-1990s Italy, with his agency Diva Futura, Riccardo Schicchi revolutionises mass culture by turning the hippie utopia of free love into a new phenomenon: porn.

Under his guidance, “girls next door” Ilona Staller, Moana Pozzi, Eva Henger and many others suddenly become world-famous divas and enter Italian homes thanks to the television boom of private TVs and VHS. The expression "porn star" is coined, marking the beginning of a new era. The media impact is so overwhelming that it leads to the election to Parliament of Ilona Staller, known as “Cicciolina,” the birth of the Partito dell’Amore, and Moana Pozzi’s candidacy for mayor of Rome.

Told though the eyes of Debora, a young secretary of the agency with a mortgage to worry about, the adventures of this big ‘family’ result in jealousies, ordeals and contradictions that leave the pornography industry in shambles. Written and directed by Guilia Louise Steigerwalt, based on the book "Non dite alla mamma che faccio la segretaria" by Debora Attanasio, Diva Futura is an intoxicating story of private and widespread desire.

2024 | Italy | Italian with English subtitles

FESTIVALS & AWARDS

NOMINEE | Best Comedy, Best Actress in a Comedy, Nastro d’Argento Awards 2025
WINNER | Best Actor in a Comedy, Nastro d’Argento Awards 2025
NOMINEE | Best Film, Venice Film Festival 2024