di Redazione
The Australian Piemontese Association NSW (APA NSW) celebrated a highly successful first event with a sold-out screening of the acclaimed Italian film Trifole, drawing more than 50 guests to its inaugural event and signalling a strong appetite for reconnecting with Piemontese culture in New South Wales.
Tickets for the screening sold out within just one week of being released, with additional people placed on a waiting list—an encouraging indication of the enthusiasm surrounding the newly established Association, which was officially formed on 2 June 2026, Italy’s National Day.
Before the screening, Association President Mara Giribaldi Gullotta welcomed guests and reflected on the motivation behind establishing APA NSW. She explained that the Association was created to once again provide an active representative body for people of Piemontese heritage in New South Wales, preserving and celebrating the region’s rich culture, traditions, language and history while creating opportunities for future generations to reconnect with their roots.
“Our Association is built upon three pillars: Culture, Community and Tradition,” she said. “We want to celebrate our heritage, connect families and friends with Piemontese roots, and create opportunities for younger generations, or anyone who simply loves Piemonte, to discover and appreciate the legacy left to them by those who came before us.”
Mara also revealed that the Committee had been overwhelmed by the response since the Association’s formation, with membership growing rapidly and more than half of members being under 55 years of age, a promising sign that younger generations are embracing their Piemontese identity.
The Foundation Committee Members are Mara Giribaldi Gullotta, President, Anna Bucci, Vice-President, Vanessa Lahoud, Secretary, Ilvana Rovera Giribaldi, Treasurer, Danilo Giribaldi, Membership and Deputy Treasurer, John Gullotta AM, Marketing and Events, Rosa Reggio Paragalli and Yalta Dabbene as Committee Members.
Following the welcome address, the APA NSW Committee gathered in front of the cinema screen, proudly displaying the Association’s logo, to commemorate the historic occasion with an inaugural group photograph before guests settled in to enjoy the film.
Trifole is the latest feature from acclaimed Italian filmmaker and screenwriter Gabriele Fabbro, who was named by MovieMaker Magazine as one of its 2022 “Screenwriters to Watch”. Born in Milan in 1996, Fabbro has written, directed and produced more than 30 productions since 2011. His latest work premiered at both the Palm Springs International Film Festival and Santa Barbara International Film Festival before receiving theatrical releases across Italy, Australia, New Zealand, the United States and South Africa. The film was also shortlisted among the 24 productions under consideration as Italy’s submission for the 2026 Academy Awards.
Describing the film as “a tribute to a specific region in Italy,” Fabbro said his aim was “to present it as it truly is, capturing all its colours and nuances without imposing judgment.” Inspired by conversations with local truffle hunters and farmers in the Langhe, he and co-writer Ydalie Turk “pieced together a script based on real-life accounts,” creating a story that celebrates family, rural traditions and a disappearing way of life while revealing “a fascinating world and a way of life deeply connected to nature.”
Starring Margherita Buy and acclaimed Italian actor Umberto Orsini, born in Novara, the film brings together two of Italy’s most respected performers, whose distinguished careers in theatre, television and cinema add depth and authenticity to this heartfelt story.
The film’s setting also shines a spotlight on one of Piemonte’s greatest treasures, the prized Alba White Truffle, celebrated each autumn at the internationally renowned Alba White Truffle Fair. Drawing visitors from around the world, the festival showcases the region’s exceptional gastronomic heritage, centuries-old truffle-hunting traditions and the unique cultural landscape that provides the authentic backdrop to Trifole.
At the heart of Trifole is the special relationship between truffle hunters and their dogs. One of the film’s most memorable canine stars is Birba, whose remarkable performance has captured audiences’ hearts. Birba has become something of a local celebrity in Piemonte, with a sculpture now standing in the hilltop town of Bossolasco in recognition of the beloved truffle-hunting dog and the important role such companions play in preserving one of the region’s most treasured traditions.
The evening provided guests not only with an opportunity to experience contemporary Italian cinema but also to celebrate the landscapes, traditions and rural way of life that have shaped generations of Piemontesi.
With a sold-out first event, strong early membership and an enthusiastic audience, the Australian Piemontese Association NSW has enjoyed an impressive beginning. The Association looks forward to its official launch later this year, with a calendar of cultural, social and community events already planned to continue strengthening connections among Piemontesi and friends of Piemonte across New South Wales.
