Six films — all Hawai'i premieres and one an American premiere — will be screened at the fifth annual Cinema Italiano, beginning Thursday at the Doris Duke Theatre, Honolulu Academy of Arts.

A panel of jurors — actor Jason Scott Lee; Chris Lee, film producer and founder/director of the University of Hawai'i Academy for Creative Media; hotelier Peter Shaindlin; filmmaker Edgy Lee; and writer/director/producer Neal Israel — will award the Princess Alliata di Montereale prize to the best film.

Tickets are $7 general, $6 seniors, students and military, $5 museum members per screening. A flash pass — $60 general, $50 Friends of Italy Society of Hawai'i and museum members — is available. There's also a special dinner/music/film event Sept. 27; see below.

737-CIAO (2426), www.friendsofitaly.net.

The films:

"A Whole Life Ahead" ("Tutta La Vita Davanti")

Directed by Paolo Virzi; 2008, 118 minutes, U.S. premiere

1 and 8 p.m. Thursday

Marta, a brilliant college graduate, can only find jobs as a live-in baby-sitter and temp at an international call center. Director Virzi and supporting actress Micaela Ramazzotti will present the film and be available at a question-and-answer session after the 8 p.m. screening.

"Good Morning, Heartache" ("Riprendimi")

Directed by Anna Negri; 2008, 93 minutes

1 and 7:30 p.m. Sept. 26

Unemployed actor Giovanni invites filmmakers Giorgio and Eros to film the struggles he and his film editor wife Lucia face in their careers. When there's a crisis in the marriage, Eros begins to fall in love with Lucia.

"Days and Clouds" ("Giorni E Nuvole")

Directed by Silvio Soldini; 2007, 115 minutes

1 and 8 p.m. Sept. 27

An affluent couple is suddenly no longer affluent, causing marital problems.

A dinner event takes place from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 27 with antipasti from Che Pasta and Roberto Pizza Party; music by Hot Club of Hula-ville. Cost: $35 for dinner and film, $30 for dinner only. Mail checks by Tuesday, payable to Honolulu Academy of Arts, and send to Gina Caruso, Honolulu Academy of Arts, Doris Duke Theatre, 900 S. Beretania St., Honolulu, HI 96814.

"Red Like the Sky" (Rosso Come Il Cielo")

Directed by Cristiano Bortone; 2007, 95 minutes

1 and 7:30 p.m. Sept. 28; suggested for those 8 and older.

Based on the true story: Mirco, blinded at age 10, finds he has a gift for sound engineering while at a school for the blind.

"Night Bus" ("Notturno Bus")

Directed by Davide Marengo; 2007, 105 minutes

7:30 p.m. Sept. 29

Film noir/romantic comedy/pulp thriller/crime caper: Franz, a night bus driver and compulsive gambler, meets Leila, a thief and compulsive liar.

"Don't Think About It" ("Non Pensarci")

Directed by Gianni Zanasi; 2007, 110 minutes

1 and 7:30 p.m. Sept. 30

Homeless, girlfriendless post-punk guitarist Stefano is welcomed back by his idiosyncratic family in this comedy.