Nov 24, 2014
SFFILM
San Francisco, CA — New Italian Cinema, presented by the San Francisco Film Society; New Italian Cinema Events of Florence, Italy; the Italian Cultural Institute of San Francisco; and the Consulate General of Italy, San Francisco wrapped up a five-day run dedicated to celebrating the rich cinematic tradition of Italy and bringing the country’s newest directors and films to audiences in San Francisco. At a special Closing Night presentation, Antonio Morabito’s The Medicine Seller (Il venditore di medicine) was selected to receive the NICE City of Florence Award.
The NICE City of Florence Award was decided by audience ballots from San Francisco screenings of films in competition and announced at the Closing Night award ceremony Sunday, November 23 by Rod Armstrong of the Film Society and Grazia Santini of New Italian Cinema Events. The Closing Night screening and award ceremony was followed by an exclusive reception at 1300 on Fillmore.
This year’s New Italian Cinema kicked off with a rousing sold-out program of short films by Edoardo Ponti, and the festival featured a competitive series of seven feature films by emerging directors, along with the newest work of established talents like Paolo Virzì and Asia Argento. Attendance at the festival was excellent, with the Vogue Theatre filled to capacity for eight screenings throughout its run. Notable filmmaker appearances included Rossella De Venuto, director of Controra – House of Shadows; Paolo Genovese, director of Blame Freud (and co-writer of Remember Me); Alessandro Lunardelli, director of Up to the World; Antonio Morabito, director of The Medicine Seller; and Ponti, who directed Human Voice and The Nightshift Belongs to the Stars.
New Italian Cinema is presented in collaboration with New Italian Cinema Events (nicefestival.org) and the Italian Cultural Institute, San Francisco; the Consulate General of Italy; and Italy in U.S. Additional sponsorship is provided by Comune di Firenze; Fondazione Sistema Toscana; Ministero dei Beni Culturali; and Regiona Toscana; special support provided by John and Karen Diefenbach; and media sponsors SF Weekly and San Francisco Examiner. The Closing Night Party is supported by 1300 on Fillmore.