Overview

• Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli skipped the July 3 Premio Strega final to pursue bilateral cultural funding talks in Berlin, triggering a public exchange with Fondazione Bellonci over his jury status and unread books.
• Fondazione Bellonci director Stefano Petrocchi confirmed that Giuli resigned from the “Amici della domenica” jury upon his ministerial appointment and said the minister remains welcome at future Strega editions.
• Prosecutors in Rome have acquired Ministry of Culture documents on the €863,000 tax credit awarded to Francis Kaufmann’s unproduced film and are investigating whether the funds were actually disbursed.
• Nicola Borrelli’s resignation as director general for Cinema and Audiovisual has been accepted by the ministry, which has pledged full judicial cooperation and tighter controls on film incentives.
• The Culture Ministry is considering moving the 2026 Premio Strega final from its traditional Villa Giulia venue to Cinecittà on Rome’s outskirts as part of wider institutional reforms.