CineFesta Italia in Santa Fe has finalized its film selections for 2018, including both curated films selected by Creative Director Luca Ceccarelli and the Official Selections from its first-ever international competition. The deadline for submissions to the competition has just passed and films have been selected to screen by a jury made up of a wide range of experienced film professionals from Santa Fe and Los Angeles to as far away as Rome. 

The big news this year is that half the films will be FREE to the public.  “Part of our mission is to raise awareness of, and celebrate Italian culture,” says Luca Ceccarelli. “What better way than making screenings free? I’ve wanted to do this for a long time and, thanks to our generous sponsors, we are able to offer free admission to screenings of the Official Selections from our international competition.” Admission to the curated selection of films will remain at $12 or full festival passes are available for a limited time for $99, which includes admission to all films and events.

The festival begins at noon on Friday, April 20,  with a soft opening that offers free screenings of three of the Official Selections. Under the auspices of the Italian Consulate General of Italy - Los Angeles, and with the support of the Istituto Italiano di Cultura - Los Angeles, the festival officially opens in Santa Fe, New Mexico at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 20, with a reception featuring Italian wine and hors d’oeuvres at Jean Cocteau Cinema. Attending the reception will be the Honorable Antonio Verde, Consul General of Italy in Los Angeles and Valeria Rumori, Director of the Italian Institute of Culture in Los Angeles. Invitations will also be sent to both outgoing Mayor Javier Gonzales and newly elected Mayor Alan Webber, as well as other dignitaries. 

The reception and Awards Ceremony will be followed by the screening of the official opening film, Il Ragazzo Invisibile, Seconda Generazione, the sequel in Gabriele Salvatores’ popular Heroes meets Xmen action/adventure saga… Italian style! 

On Saturday, in addition to films, the lineup will include The Liquid Art of the Aperitivo, a lively exploration of the Italian Aperitivo and a sampling of easy-to-make “appetite opening” cocktails with Natalie Bovis, founder of The Liquid Muse and New Mexico Cocktails & Culture Festival. 

Named one of four women leading the liquor industry, Natalie Bovis is a spirits expert, cocktail book author, event producer and marketer creating brand immersion experiences ranging from her annual NM Cocktails & Culture Festival (returning June 1 - 3, 2018) to cocktail classes and other spirited culinary adventures in the U.S. and abroad. She’s been a spokesperson for spirit and wine brands, hosts video shows, has taught at cocktail festivals around the country and judged cocktail competitions around the world.  She is also the Co-Creator of OM Organic Mixology Liqueurs. 

As Natalie says, “The Italian way of drinking is part of living ‘la dolce vita.’ ” 

Sunday’s selection of films will culminate Sunday evening in the Juried Awards Reception at Violet Crown Cinema. Awards will be given for Best Narrative Feature, Best Documentary Feature and Best Short among the Official Selections from the public competition. 

Also new this year, the Best Short and Best Narrative Feature will enjoy a public screening in Los Angeles on April 24, courtesy of the collaboration between CineFesta Italia and the Italian Institute of Culture in Los Angeles.

FULL SCHEDULE:

Friday, April 20, 2018

Jean Cocteau Cinema, 418 Montezuma Avenue, Santa Fe, NM 87501

11:30 am  Documentary Program, featuring Oltre il Confine, la Storia di Ettore Castiglioni (Beyond the Border, the Story of Ettore Castiglioni) & Sagre Balere (Dance Hall Land), Free admission

2:30 pm  Agadah, drama / fantasy feature film, Free admission

5:00 pm  Opening Reception (includes admission to Il Ragazzo Invisiblile 2), $45/$40*

6:00 pm  Il Ragazzo Invisibile, Seconda Generazione (The Invisible Boy, Second Generation), action / adventure / comedy feature film, $12

8:15 pm  Bianco di Babbudoiu (A Fistful of Grapes), comedy feature film  Free admission

Saturday, April 21, 2018

Jean Cocteau Cinema, 418 Montezuma Avenue, Santa Fe, NM 87501

11:30 pm  Panel discussion, details TBA, Free admission

12:30 pm  Tutto Quello che Vuoi (Friends by Chance), comedy / drama feature film, $12

3:00 pm  Camminando sull ’Aqua (Walking on Water), documentary, Free admission

Osteria d’Assisi, 58 South Federal Place, Santa Fe, NM 87501

3:00 pm  The Liquid Art of the Aperitivo seminar & tasting $40/$35*

Jean Cocteau Cinema, 418 Montezuma Avenue, Santa Fe, NM 87501

4:30 pm  Gatta Cenerentola (Cinderella the Cat), animation / crime / thriller, $12

6:30 pm  Ammore e Malavita (Love and Bullets), comedy / crime / musical feature film,

$12

9:15 pm  Dammi una Mano (Lend a Hand), comedy / drama feature film, Free admission

Sunday, April 22, 2018

Jean Cocteau Cinema, 418 Montezuma Avenue, Santa Fe, NM 87501

12:30 pm Shorts program, Free admission

2:30 pm  The Place, comedy / drama feature film, $12

Violet Crown Cinema, 1606 Alcaldesa Street, Santa Fe, NM 87501

5:00 pm  Juried Awards Reception, $25/$20*

6:00 pm  A Ciambra, drama feature film, $12

Jean Cocteau Cinema, 418 Montezuma Avenue, Santa Fe, NM 87501

6:00 pm  Bianco di Babbudoiu (A Fistful of Grapes), comedy feature film, Free admission

8:30 pm  Official Holdover Screening

*PRICES:

• All Festival Pass (including films, receptions, panel, seminar): $125; $99 if purchased by March 31

• Individual film tickets for curated film selections: $12; $9 students

• Individual film tickets for competitive Official Selections: FREE

• Opening reception: $45, includes film following; $40 if purchased by March 31

• Aperitivi Seminar: $40; $35 if purchased by March 31

• Juried Awards Reception: $25; $20 if purchased by March 31

For more information on all the films and to stay up-to-date, visit CineFestaItalia.org and join the mailing list. Tickets to all scheduled films and events may also be purchased on the CineFesta website.