Ischia, Italy — Irish filmmaker Jim Sheridan and Academy Award winner Cuba Gooding Jr. were among the high-profile international guests at the Ischia Global Film & Music Festival 2026, co-chaired by Oscar winner Alessandro Bertolazzi and British actress, director and producer Trudie Styler, which once again brought together cinema, music and leading figures from the international entertainment industry on the Italian island.
Sheridan, the acclaimed director of films including My Left Foot, In the Name of the Father and The Boxer, joined Gooding Jr., Oscar winner for Jerry Maguire, in a program built around screenings, awards, tributes and industry conversations.
The festival, long positioned as a bridge between Hollywood, Europe and the international film community, continued its focus on established talent alongside new voices, while maintaining a strong connection with music and live entertainment.
Set against the backdrop of Ischia, the 2026 edition featured a mix of filmmakers, actors, producers and artists, reinforcing the event’s profile as both an industry gathering and a showcase for international cultural exchange.
Sheridan and Gooding Jr.’s presence underscored the festival’s ongoing appeal to major names from the global entertainment world, while also highlighting its role as a platform for creative dialogue across film, music and contemporary culture.
“With its combination of industry access, international talent and the distinctive setting of Southern Italy, Ischia Global Fest 2026 once again positioned the island as a meeting point for the global film and music community,” said festival founder and producer Pascal Vicedomini.
