Season 3 of ‘House of the Dragon’ opens the Italian Taormina Film Festival
The Italian premiere of the first episode of season 3 of HBO’s ‘House of the Dragon’ is set to open the upcoming Italian Taormina Film Festival taking place from June 10 to 14 in the Sicilian seaside resort.
“House of the Dragon” stars Steve Toussaint (Lord Corlys Velaryon), Harry Collett (Jacaerys Velaryon), Bethany Antonia (Baela Targaryen) and Phoebe Campbell (Rhaena Targaryen) will attend the spectacular Italian launch of the show in the grand ancient Greek amphitheater of Taormina, in the shadow of Sicily’s active volcano Etna.
The show’s global bow takes place on June 8 in London.
The legendary festival, held at the resort known to American audiences as the location of Season 2 of “The White Lotus,” is being revamped by marketing guru and festival specialist Tiziana Rocca.
“We are proud to open the 72nd edition of the Taormina Film Festival with one of the most beloved and spectacular series on the contemporary international scene,” Rocca said in a statement. “Welcoming the cast of ‘House of the Dragon’ to Taormina and offering this exclusive preview to the Italian public is an extraordinary event that confirms the festival’s role as an international benchmark for the entire audiovisual sector.”
The third season of the ‘Game of Thrones’ prequel will launch in the US on June 21 at 9pm ET and will simultaneously stream on HBO Max. The eight-episode season will air weekly until the season finale on August 9. It will premiere on HBO Max in Italy on June 22.
Based on the George RR Martin book ‘Fire & Blood’, the series is set approximately 200 years before the events of ‘Game of Thrones’ and tells the story of the Targaryen civil war known in Westeros as the Dance of Dragons.
As previously announced, Jane Campion will chair the Taormina fest jury and Helen Mirren will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award. Taormina will also host the world premiere of Australian action thriller “Bear Country,” which reunites Russell Crowe with “Unhinged” helmer Derrick Borte, with Crowe expected to make the trek.
The full line-up of the festival will be announced on June 4.
