Matt Dillon, 56, attends the Filming Italy Sardina Festival


His Hollywood career has just edged into its fifth decade, after he rose to fame following roles in a number of film hits from the 1980s onward.

And Matt Dillon, 56, showed he’s retained the brooding good looks that helped win him legions of admirers the world over on Thursday, when he attended the Filming Italy Sardinia Festival in Cagliari.

The veteran actor, who serves as honorary president for the festival, stepped out for day two of the festivities wearing a navy polo shirt with matching trousers.

Stepping out: Matt Dillon attended the Filming Italy Sardinia Festival in Cagliari on Thursday

Accessorising with a pair of stylish sunglasses, the screen star mingled with a host of well-heeled guests as he attended a press conference for the event.

Now in its third year, the Filming Italy Sardinia Festival was founded by producer and actress Tiziana Rocca and showcases works in cinema and television,and will run until Sunday.

Dillon rose to prominence in the late ’80s with roles in films such as the Outsiders and Rumble Fix.

In the navy: The 56-year-old veteran actor stepped out for day two of the festivities wearing a navy polo shirt with matching trousers

In the navy: The 56-year-old veteran actor stepped out for day two of the festivities wearing a navy polo shirt with matching trousers

Star: The screen star serves as honorary president for the Italian festival, now in its third year

Upbeat: He appeared to in an upbeat mood as he greeted photographers at the event

Star: The screen star serves as honorary president for the Italian festival, now in its third year

Shades: Accessorising with a pair of stylish sunglasses, the screen star mingled with a host of well-heeled guests as he attended a press conference for the event

Shades: Accessorising with a pair of stylish sunglasses, the screen star mingled with a host of well-heeled guests as he attended a press conference for the event

Big wave: He waves for photographers and onlookers as he added his star power to the event

Big wave: He waves for photographers and onlookers as he added his star power to the event

In 2006, he received Golden Globe and Oscar nominations for his critically-acclaimed role in Crash opposite Sandra Bullock.

Since then, he has gone on to star in dozens of films including the gruesome flick The House That Jack built in 2018.

He was seen on the red carpet for that project with his girlfriend of nearly six years, Roberta Mastromichele. 

The couple first started dating in 2014, and though they sparked rumours of engagement in 2017, they are yet to publicly confirm any plans to wed.

Group shot: At the event, he posed alongside (L-R) Ilenia Pastorelli, Matt Dillon, Tiziana Rocca and Maria Isabel Diaz Lago

Group shot: At the event, he posed alongside (L-R) Ilenia Pastorelli, Matt Dillon, Tiziana Rocca and Maria Isabel Diaz Lago

Black to basics: Festival founder Tiziana Rocca cut a stylish figure in an all-black ensemble

Black to basics: Festival founder Tiziana Rocca cut a stylish figure in an all-black ensemble

Strike a pose: Actress Ilenia Pastorelli also posed for a snap with the veteran Hollywood actor

Strike a pose: Actress Ilenia Pastorelli also posed for a snap with the veteran Hollywood actor

Addressing the crowd: As a crowd looked on, the star addressed a host of festival attendees

Addressing the crowd: As a crowd looked on, the star addressed a host of festival attendees

Speak up: Matt and Tiziana shared couch space as they spoke with guests at the annual event

Speak up: Matt and Tiziana shared couch space as they spoke with guests at the annual event

Last year, Matt defended his decision to star in the Lars Von Trier Film The House That Jack Built, after it sparked walkouts following its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival.

Speaking in an interview in MR PORTER’s weekly digital magazine The Journal in November 2018, he admitted: ‘I’m OK that people are upset. 

‘It’s meant to be upsetting to you, and you should know, if you’re going to see this that it is going to some very dark, disturbing places.’

He added: ‘But I think it’s a good film. Really good. And I’m glad that I did it.’

In the film, Matt stars as Jack, a serial killer with more than 60 deaths to his name who relishes bloodshed and plots increasingly horrifying ways to inflict death.

Chic: Ilenia and Tiziana beamed for photographers as they showcased their contrasting outfits

Chic: Ilenia and Tiziana beamed for photographers as they showcased their contrasting outfits

All white now: Ilenia turned heads in a white semi-sheer blouse, teamed with matching shorts

All white now: Ilenia turned heads in a white semi-sheer blouse, teamed with matching shorts

.Heels: Standing tall in a pair of matching strappy heels, she accessorised with a quilted purse

Making waves: Her brunette locks were styled in lustrous waves

Heels: Standing tall in a pair of matching strappy heels, she accessorised with a quilted purse

Delightful: Maria Isabel Diaz Lago looked delightful in a colourful kimono with white trousers

Delightful: Maria Isabel Diaz Lago looked delightful in a colourful kimono with white trousers

.Happy: Singer Arisa (Rosalba Pippa) got animated as she posed for photographers at the event

Summer style: She donned a black halterneck top with khaki trousers

Happy: Singer Arisa (Rosalba Pippa) got animated as she posed for photographers at the event

Elegant: Michela Andreozzi looked elegant in a textured dress teamed with strappy red heels

Elegant: Michela Andreozzi looked elegant in a textured dress teamed with strappy red heels