Patrons of Italian Culture Support Italian Cinema at the Palm Springs Film Festival

The Patrons of Italian Culture continue their long support of Italian cinema each year by attending the Palm Springs International Film Festival, held over 2 weeks in early January. This year marks the 22nd year of the festival, originally envisioned by the former Palm Springs’ Italian American Mayor and noted entertainer, Sonny Bono. The PSIFF is now considered by many the second most important film festival in the world, behind the Cannes Festival.

This year 196 films, from more than 65 countries, were screened by an estimated 130,000 visitors.
Italian cinema was well represented by eight films, among them: “The Double Hour”, the delightful “Eighteen Years Later”, written and starring Edoardo Leo and Marco Bonini, “The First Beautiful Thing”, a masterpiece by Director Paolo Virzì, “Loose Cannons” by the noted Turkish/Italian Director, Ferzan Ozpetek, reports Paul Romano, Patrons’ President.

This year the Patrons were also invited to attend the Italian Cinema Gala reception where they had an opportunity to meet and visit with noted film Director Paolo Virzì and his lovely wife, Michela Ramazzotti, who also starred in the movie. Also attending the Cinema Gala were Comm. Robert Barbera and his wife Jo, the Patrons’ Treasurer.
This year’s film festival also presented an opportunity for the Patrons to continue their collaboration with the Italian Film Festivals of Santa Barbara and San Diego.

In past years the Patrons have held annual retreats in both cities, and have built significant relationships there. Members of the three organizations held a series of discussions regarding the availability of Italian films for their respective organizations. Dr. Victor Laruccia, Ex. Dir. of the San Diego Italian Film Festival, Mr. Mark Dispenza of the Santa Barbara Film Festival, and Patrons’ President Romano are now investigating the possible procurement of films that might not be distributed in the U.S.

Santa Barbara’s Film Festival will take place during the weeks of Feb. 25 thru March 11, and the expanding San Diego Italian Film Festival will screen more than 50 films over the course of the year at the Museum of Photographic Art. Readers are advised to see the websites of both these film festivals.

For Membership application or more information about the Patrons of Italian Culture, and their 50 years of promoting Italian Culture throughout Southern California, contact them at: P .I.C., P .O. Box 3465, Burbank, Ca. 91508-3465. The P.I.C. is a non-profit 501c-3 Corporation.

By Paul Romano, President