SIGNORINELLA: LITTLE MISS
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https://www.palacecinemas.com.au/movies/iff25-signorinella-little-miss
Date Reviewed: 05/09/2025
Life is at its most beautiful when it is diverse (Tina Arena).
I think as women, we sometimes take for granted the efforts of all our predecessors who came before us: the trailblazers, pioneers and status quo breakers who fought to leave a lasting impact on the Australian landscape.
Signorinella – Little Miss is a heartfelt documentary about the first- and second- generation Italian-Australian women who contributed to our rich and culturally diverse landscape. It will give you a snapshot into the lives of strong and feisty women such as Tina Arena, Catherine Harris, Carla Zampatti, Franca Arena and Olimpia Bortolotto whose impact on Australia’s gastronomy, food and fashion industries and politics is undeniable.
Directors Angelo Princolo, Shannon Swan and Jason David McFadden will take you on a journey of resilience, courage and creativity as they masterfully juxtapose restored archival footage of the post-war period in Australia with contemporary interviews of these legendary individuals, bringing to life their largely overlooked impact on some of Australia’s most iconic businesses and companies. It will give you a completely different perspective on household names such as Harris Farm, SBS and Better Homes and Gardens, revealing how Australia would not be the country it is today without their impact and how much we really do not know about our own cultural heritage.
Particularly, in today’s milieu, in which protectionism is rife and we are witnessing anti-immigration protests, the documentary is an important reminder that Australia is the multicultural and diverse country it is today due to the fingerprints and footsteps of migrants who have sought to call Australia their home. It is an important and humbling experience, that would make many question and requestion how we define Australia and what exactly it means to be Australian.
The strength of this film lies in its expressive storytelling, emotional authenticity and the cultural visibility that it gives to women who have been largely overlooked, allowing them to take centre stage. Amid gender inequality, cultural discrimination and linguistic barriers the film highlights how their pioneering courage and boldness sought to bring the heart and richness of Italian culture to this largely British colony.
This timely piece is incredibly relevant to the 21st Century political climate that we are in, paying homage to and honouring these women who transformed Australia’s landscape. It transcends its cultural boundaries and embodies the universal migrant experience showing the historical ripples that can be felt across time and space when one dares to dream.
Reviewed by Samantha Mackenzie