When the 8th edition of the popular annual festival rolls out in February it will, for the first time, have a theme. Festival 2015 will train the spotlight on creative talent of Italian heritage living and working right here in the Land of Enchantment.

IN FILMMAKING: Two award-winning Italian filmmakers, both Santa Fe residents, will be festival guests of honor. Luca Ceccharelli, whose "Eve Angelic" won Best Short Film at the 2013 Santa Fe Independent Film Festival and at the NYLA International Film Fest, will introduce all three festival films screening in Santa Fe (February 5-7). Fulvio Ottaviano, the 1996 David di Donatello (Italian Oscar) winner for Best New Director, will be on hand in Albuquerque at the opening gala event and again on Monday, February 9 to introduce Ettore Scola's artful biography of Federico Fellini, Che Strano Chiamarsi Federico.

IN MUSIC: Italian musical talent in New Mexico will be represented by acclaimed jazz guitarist and Albuquerque resident, Tony Cesarano and by Las Vegas-class vocalist and Las Cruces resident, Al Chance. Tony will play his own arrangements of Italian film music at the festival's opening gala in Albuquerque on February 8, as well as old Italian favorites from his personal repertoire. Al Chance will treat the Valentine's Day Festa dell'Amore audience to popular love songs of the 40's, 50s and 60s, made famous by Italian American artists.

IN ART: Festival 2015 celebrates 7 New Mexico visual artists of Italian Heritage. Filmgoers in Santa Fe and Albuquerque will visit their galleries without leaving their seats, as the festival presents pre-film art shows, each featuring the work of one of these gifted Italo-New Mexicans: Andrea Bacigalupa of Santa Fe, Anthony Manzo of Taos, Giovanna Paponetti of Taos, Donatella Davanzo, Roger DiCamillo, Carmelo Midili and Robert Randazzo, all of Albuquerque. Each specially-produced video art show is a visual feast accompanied by selections of the artist's favorite music

Source: Italy in New Mexico