“THE HOLY BOY” (2025) – Fantastic Film Festival Australia
The Fantastic Film Festival Australia (FFFA) celebrates its 7th edition, bringing its bold and boundary-pushing program to cinemas across Sydney and Melbourne from 23 April to 15 May 2026.
A true celebration of the weird, the wonderful and the unexpected, FFFA presents a kaleidoscopic program that spans cult, genre, arthouse and alternative cinema. This year’s edition features 37 films, including international premieres, bold new voices, iconic classics and a vibrant selection of short works. Audiences can expect a cinematic journey that challenges conventions and ventures far beyond the mainstream.
The Italian Cultural Institute Sydney is proud to co-present the Australian premiere of “The Holy Boy/La Valle dei sorrisi”, the latest work by acclaimed Italian director Paolo Strippoli.
Premiering internationally at the Venice International Film Festival and selected for the BFI London Film Festival, The Holy Boy (original title La valle dei sorrisi) is a striking and unsettling work that transcends traditional genre boundaries. Beneath its folk horror atmosphere lies a powerful and deeply human story—a queer coming-of-age narrative shaped by grief, faith and the complexities of belonging.
Set in a remote Alpine village, the film follows Sergio, a grieving teacher who arrives in a seemingly idyllic community known as Italy’s “happiest town.” There, he encounters Matteo, a 15-year-old boy revered as a living saint believed to absorb the suffering of others. As Sergio begins to question the nature of this so-called miracle, he uncovers a disturbing reality, that reveals how vulnerability can be manipulated and controlled under the guise of love and devotion.
Session times – Ritz Cinema Randwick
- Sunday 26 April 2026, 6:00pm
- Wednesday 6 May 2026, 6:10pm
Bookings available on the FFFA website HERE
