Giovanni Tortorici’s debut feature film, Diciannove (Italian for “Nineteen”), is a striking coming-of-age story that follows Leonardo, a 19-year-old from Palermo, as he moves across cities – London, Siena, and Turin – while wrestling with identity, academic expectations, and his evolving sense of self.

Starring in the movie are Manfredi Marini, Vittoria Planeta, Zackari Delmas, Dana Giuliano, and Luca Lazzareschi.

The film had its world premiere in the prestigious Orizzonti section at the 81st Venice International Film Festival followed by Toronto International Film Festival, MAMI Mumbai Film Festival, Seattle and Hong Kong International Film Festivals. It opens in US theaters on July 25, 2025.

According to the official synopsis:

The highs and lows of a restless youth collide headlong into the concrete realities of adulthood when Leonardo, a teenager from Palermo leaves home for the first time. His studies land him in Siena, by way of London, where he clashes with his instructor, the curriculum, and most chaotically, with himself. Produced by Luca Guadagnino, Diciannove (nineteen), marks the feature filmmaking debut of writer-director Giovanni Tortorici, a bold, brash and bemusing filmmaking talent.

Critics have responded warmly to Diciannove, with Kate Erbland of IndieWire grading the film a B+, writing, “First-time feature filmmaker Giovanni Tortorici throws a lot at the screen in his “Diciannove“ …. That’s trick, however, one of many ways Tortorici keeps his audience off-kilter while spinning a coming-of-age tale that feels all too familiar until, wham! (points to the filmmaker for avoiding comic book-styled action words), “Diciannove” and its inscrutable protagonist finally snap into place. And while that particular “place” is much darker than this sly, slippery film initially lets on, it ultimately proves to be far more thrilling.”

Watch the official trailer for Diciannove.