THE FILM

Between surviving fragments, historical memory, and contemporary perspectives, the film restores voice and presence to Elvira Notari, a forgotten pioneer of Italian cinema.

ELVIRA NOTARI. BEYOND SILENCE
by Valerio Ciriaci
2025  |  90’/52’  |  Italy-USA

“Elvira Notari: Beyond Silence” is a feature documentary chronicling the life and work of Elvira Notari (1875-1946), Italy’s first woman film director. Despite directing hundreds of silent films that captivated from Naples to New York, Elvira was relegated to the margins of film history for half a century. Her films, poised between realism and staged drama, were deeply rooted in Neapolitan folklore. A woman in a man’s world, her works were targeted by Fascist censorship yet found the embrace of audiences on both sides of the Atlantic. The documentary interweaves voices of those who celebrate her legacy today – from the experts who rediscovered her films to contemporary artists reimagining her vision through new works – to resurrect Elvira’s singular vision. More than a biography, “Elvira Notari: Beyond Silence” is a prismatic portrait of an artist who continues to inspire new creative pathways.
A Parallelo 41 Produzioni and Awen Films co-production with Cinecittà. With support from the Italian Ministry of Culture, Film Commission Regione Campania, City of Naples, in collaboration with Casa Italiana Zerilli-Marimò at NYU and Archivio Audiovisivo del movimento operaio e democratico.
“Elvira Notari: Beyond Silence” is a feature documentary chronicling the life and work of Elvira Notari (1875-1946), Italy’s first woman film director. Despite directing hundreds of silent films that captivated from Naples to New York, Elvira was relegated to the margins of film history for half a century. Her films, poised between realism and staged drama, were deeply rooted in Neapolitan folklore. A woman in a man’s world, her works were targeted by Fascist censorship yet found the embrace of audiences on both sides of the Atlantic. The documentary interweaves voices of those who celebrate her legacy today – from the experts who rediscovered her films to contemporary artists reimagining her vision through new works – to resurrect Elvira’s singular vision. More than a biography, “Elvira Notari: Beyond Silence” is a prismatic portrait of an artist who continues to inspire new creative pathways.
A Parallelo 41 Produzioni and Awen Films co-production with Cinecittà. With support from the Italian Ministry of Culture, Film Commission Regione Campania, City of Naples, in collaboration with Casa Italiana Zerilli-Marimò at NYU and Archivio Audiovisivo del movimento operaio e democratico.

FESTIVALS & AWARDS

82nd Venice International Film Festival (World Premiere)
> Official Selection – Venice Classics

David di Donatello 2026
> Shortlisted – Best Documentary

Nastri d’Argento 2026
> Finalist – Documentary on Cinema, Performing Arts & Culture

Festival dei Circoli di Cinema 2025
> Best Documentary about Cinema

Festival del Cinema Europeo
> Official Selection

Matera Film Festival
> Official Selection

Festival Visioni Verticali
> Official Selection

Festival di Cinema e Donne
> Opening Night Documentary

Primo Piano sull’Autore – Festival Pianeta Donna
> Official Selection

PITCHED AT

Visioni dal Mondo – Visioni Incontra
San Sebastian Lau Haizetara – Documentary Co-production Forum
Bio to B – Pitching Forum

BROOADCASTED ON

Sky Arte
Rai Tre