Say 'ciao' to an Italian film fesitval

It’s all about Italy on Leeside today as Cork welcomes an exciting film festival to town.

New Italian Cinema Events (NICE) is bringing the world renowned Italian Film Festival to Cork and Dublin this month with the festival taking place in the Gate Cinema in Cork from today, 20 April, until Sunday.

The programme features a mix of new Italian films by up and coming directors as well as movies from experienced and renowned directors.

The festival seeks to promote Italian film internationally. Organisers say that discovering new talent is paramount and it helps to ensure that Italian filmmakers can be appreciated both in the homeland and abroad, by telling stories with different techniques and methods.

The programme includes 9 new films which tell the story of Italy’s past and present along with two biographical films based on 2 of the most illustrious and famous Italian authors in the world, Dante Alighieri and Luigi Pirandello. The festival opens with a film by one of Italy’s most beloved contemporary authors, Pierfrancesco Diliberto, known as 'Pif'. It traces the themes of work, mass media, society and human relationships in the internet age.

Ahead of its launch last month, Viviana Del Bianco, Artistic Director of NICE said: “I am delighted that we are able to bring the NICE Italian Film Festival back to Ireland this year.

“It is a magnificent celebration and showcase of Italian filmmakers presenting first and second works of great value, ranging from comedy to drama. It proves how, despite the difficulties of recent years, Italian authors are more active and motivated than ever.”