The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) has unveiled the first look at IDDA, the highly anticipated second narrative feature from acclaimed Italian filmmaker Irene Dionisio, which will make its World Premiere in the prestigious Platform Competition at TIFF 2026.
Set against the breathtaking yet volatile backdrop of Mount Etna in Sicily, IDDA is an intimate psychological drama about friendship, memory, and the secrets that can reshape lives. Starring two of Italy’s most celebrated young actors, Tecla Insolia (The Art of Joy) and Romana Maggiora Vergano (There’s Still Tomorrow), the film is already generating international attention ahead of its festival debut.
A Journey That Reopens Old Wounds
IDDA follows childhood friends Adele and Sofia, now in their thirties, who reunite after years apart to fulfill a dream they once shared, hiking to the summit of Mount Etna, Europe’s most active volcano.
What begins as a nostalgic reunion quickly turns into an emotionally charged confrontation. Long-buried resentments surface, painful memories return, and hidden truths threaten to destroy the bond they once cherished.
As tensions escalate, the women separate just as Mount Etna begins to tremble beneath them. Adele continues the climb alone, haunted by the realization that some journeys lose their meaning when they are no longer shared.
Blending psychological drama with the awe-inspiring beauty of Sicily’s volcanic landscape, IDDA explores friendship, regret, forgiveness, and the emotional weight of choices left unresolved.
Irene Dionisio Returns With Her Most Ambitious Narrative Yet
IDDA marks the sophomore narrative feature from Irene Dionisio, whose debut feature Pawn Street premiered at Venice Critics’ Week and earned nominations for both the David di Donatello and Globo d’Oro awards, while winning the Silver Ribbon for Best Screenplay.
Before moving into narrative filmmaking, Dionisio established herself as an award-winning documentary filmmaker and visual artist. Her documentary Shores received the Solinas Prize, France’s SCAM Prize, and the Jury Prize at Tehran’s Cinema Verité Festival.
Her artistic work has been exhibited internationally, including at Venice’s Palazzo Grassi and OCAT Shanghai, and she previously served as artistic director of Turin’s LGBTQI film festival, Lovers.
With IDDA, Dionisio continues her exploration of deeply human stories while combining emotional realism with striking visual storytelling.
Two Rising Stars Lead the Cast
The film pairs two of Italy’s brightest acting talents.
Tecla Insolia, named a 2026 Berlinale European Shooting Star, recently won the David di Donatello Award for Best Actress for Valeria Golino’s acclaimed series The Art of Joy. Her recent credits also include Familia and Spring.
Joining her is Romana Maggiora Vergano, who rose to international prominence through Paola Cortellesi’s blockbuster There’s Still Tomorrow. Her growing résumé includes The Time It Takes, The Holy Boy, Roland Emmerich’s Those About to Die, and Marco Bellocchio’s Portobello.
Their performances promise to anchor one of TIFF’s most emotionally compelling dramas.
Competing for TIFF’s Prestigious Platform Award
The selection of IDDA for the Platform Competition places it among TIFF’s most significant premieres.
Dedicated to bold directorial voices and distinctive storytelling, Platform has become one of the festival’s most respected competitions.
Beginning in 2026, the Platform Award carries even greater importance, with the winning non-English language film earning direct qualification for consideration in the Academy Awards’ Best International Feature Film category.
That change makes this year’s competition particularly significant for emerging international filmmakers.
Strong International Interest Before Premiere
International demand for IDDA has already begun building well ahead of its world premiere.
Rai Cinema International Distribution will present the film during TIFF’s newly launched content market, while early distribution deals have already been secured in Bulgaria through Beta Film and in Brazil through Orta Film following the Cannes Marché du Film.
The screenplay, co-written by Irene Dionisio and Marco Borromei (Small Body), is brought to life by an accomplished creative team that includes cinematographer Gergely Pohárnok, editor Aline Hervé, production designer Rachele Meliadò, costume designer Andrea Cavalletto, and composers Matteo Marini, Gabriele Concas, and Peter Miyakawa.
The production has also received Green Film certification, recognizing its environmentally sustainable filmmaking practices.
A Standout European Premiere at TIFF 2026
With its emotionally rich story, exceptional cast, breathtaking Sicilian setting, and one of Italy’s most promising directors behind the camera, IDDA arrives at TIFF as one of the Platform Competition’s most anticipated international premieres.
As audiences gather in Toronto this September, Irene Dionisio’s latest feature promises an intimate and visually stunning exploration of friendship, memory, and the invisible emotional landscapes people carry with them long after life’s most important relationships begin to change.