‘House of the Dragon’ Season 3 to Open Italy’s Taormina Film Festival

The highly anticipated Italian premiere of the first episode of HBO’s “House of the Dragon” Season 3 has been announced as the opening event of Italy’s prestigious Taormina Film Festival. Scheduled to take place from June 10-14 in the beautiful Sicilian sea resort, this event is set to be a grand affair.

The star-studded cast of “House of the Dragon”, including Steve Toussaint, Harry Collett, Bethany Antonia, and Phoebe Campbell, will grace the festival with their presence. The premiere will be held at Taormina’s historic open-air ancient Greek amphitheater, offering a spectacular backdrop with the majestic Mt. Etna volcano looming in the distance.

Prior to the Italian premiere, the global launch of the show will kick off in London on June 8, building up excitement among fans worldwide. The Taormina Film Festival, known to American audiences as the setting of “The White Lotus” Season 2, is undergoing a rejuvenation under the guidance of marketing expert and festivals specialist Tiziana Rocca.

Rocca expressed her pride in opening the 72nd edition of the festival with such a beloved and visually stunning series. She emphasized the significance of welcoming the cast of “House of the Dragon” to Taormina and providing the Italian audience with an exclusive preview, highlighting the festival’s international reputation in the audiovisual industry.

The third season of the “Game of Thrones” prequel, based on George R.R. Martin’s book “Fire & Blood”, will premiere in the U.S. on June 21 and simultaneously stream on HBO Max. The season consists of eight episodes, airing weekly until the finale on August 9, with the Italian premiere scheduled for June 22 on HBO Max.

The series delves into the Targaryen civil war, known as the Dance of Dragons, set approximately 200 years before the events of “Game of Thrones”. With an intriguing storyline and captivating characters, fans are eagerly anticipating the new season.

In addition to the “House of the Dragon” premiere, the Taormina fest will feature renowned filmmaker Jane Campion as the jury president and present a lifetime achievement award to the esteemed Helen Mirren. The festival will also host the world premiere of the Australian action thriller “Bear Country”, starring Russell Crowe and directed by Derrick Borte.

Stay tuned for the full lineup announcement on June 4, as Taormina Film Festival continues to solidify its position as a premier international event in the film industry.