Catania Film Fest 2024: A Mediterranean Showcase!
Catania, 15 November 2024 – Well, well, well, it’s that time of year again! Buckle up your berets because the second day of the Catania Film Fest 2024 is kicking off with a splash of Mediterranean flair. You heard it right: the festivities are aimed at unwrapping the treasure chest of stories that dot our beloved Mare Nostrum. Curated by the fabulous Valentina Anastasi and her merry band of storytellers, this year’s spotlight is on Greece. So, prepare to have your mind blown and your heartstrings tugged! Or, you know, just enjoy some popcorn while you contemplate existential crises.
As the curators bluntly put it, “Our island, located in the center of the Mediterranean Sea, is the result of the neighboring cultures that have shaped its history.” So true! It’s like a family reunion but with more olive oil and less bickering over who forgot to bring dessert. Every year, they pick a Mediterranean country to explore through the magical realm of cinema—and where better to start than Greece, our next door neighbor with some serious cinematic chops?
Joining forces with the esteemed Alfiere Productions and the Catania Film Festival Association, Daniele Urciuolo helms this mighty vessel of cinematic excellence. And let’s not forget the dream team behind the artistic direction: film critic Emanuele Rauco along with directors Laura Luchetti and the creative genius of Chain Square. Trust me, if there was a ‘Cannes of Catania’, these folks would be the VIPs.
This year’s Mediterranean excursion follows the footsteps of previous champs—Palestine, Tunisia, and Albania—carving out a path now to Greece. You know, the land of tzatziki, ouzo, and a history that reads like the world’s oldest soap opera. Under the watchful eye of the European Parliament (that’s right, folks, this isn’t just any film fest), this gathering is supported by the Hellenic Institute of Culture and the Embassy of Greece in Italy. Talk about star-studded sponsorship!
A Quick Peek at the Day’s Line-up!
Now, let’s get to the juicy bits—the program! Kicking off at 8:30 AM at the Sala Verde of the Zō Centro Culture Contemporanee (because every great day starts at 8:30 AM, right?), we’ll be treated to the Catania Campus Short Films Out of Competition. Featured films include Aerolin (2023) by Alexis Koukias-Pantelis and A Piece of Liberty (2023) by Antigoni Kapaka. Note: no word yet on if there will be free coffee, but a good cinematic experience does require adequate caffeine intake!
At 9:30 AM, get ready to feast your eyes on the legendary Eternity and a Day (1998) by Theo Angelopoulos, a film that snagged the Palme d’Or at Cannes—no biggie! The screening will be followed by a debate, because nothing fuels intellectual engagement like a foreign film and a glass of Chianti. Moderated by Emanuele Rauco, featuring a fab lineup including journalist Maria Lombardo, and more. Expect passion, wit, and possibly a few heated debates about why all foreign films seem to have sad endings.
Then, after a brief intermission (and maybe a pretzel or two), we’ll strut into the afternoon featuring the documentary Going Up the River. A Journey to Meet Theo Angelopoulos (2004), introduced by the one and only Carmelo Nicotra. Later, at 4:00 PM, brace yourselves for Stray Bodies – Wandering Bodies (2024), directed by Elina Psykou. And don’t you dare miss the Magnifica Them panel at 6:00 PM, exploring “Contemporary Greece and Sicily: A Mediterranean Dialogue.” Now that’s a topic we’ve all been waiting to eavesdrop on!
Wrapping up the day on a high note, there’ll be a free screening of Animal (2024) by Sofia Exarchou at 7:00 PM. Sweet! And after tearing up (or laughing) from the film’s emotional grip, you can sip wine from the Tenute Orestiadi wineries at 9:30 PM and relish the special event: a concert featuring Greek music from Vaggelis Merkouris and Luca Cioffi. Think of it as sipping wine while pretending to understand Greek folk music. I’m confident we’d all make superb cultural ambassadors!
Let’s Wrap it Up!
The Catania Film Fest is officially backed by the Coordination of Film Festivals in Sicily and yes, they have the high patronage of the European Parliament. You’d think they were handing out Academy Awards with the amount of support they’re flaunting! So grab your tickets, your friends, and possibly a sandwich or three—this festival is shaping up to be a cultural feast!
For more info and ticket details, head over to the festival’s official site: www.cataniafilmfest.it. Don’t miss out or you might end up regretting the one that got away—like that last slice of pizza!
Catania, 15 November 2024 – The second day of the Catania Film Fest 2024 is dedicated to the engaging section known as Mediterranean Catania. This initiative aims to shine a light on the diverse narratives captured through cinema from a different Mediterranean locale each year. Curated meticulously by a talented team comprising Valentina Anastasi, Laura Silvia Battaglia, Nancy D’Arrigo, Aurelio Gambadoro, Sara Mostaccio, and Giusi Sipala, this review seeks to illuminate the stories of regions united by the same sea and to draw connections with the rich cultural tapestry of Sicily, our homeland.
“Our island, located centrally within the Mediterranean Sea,” the curators emphasize, “is a mosaic of neighboring cultures that have intricately shaped its historical narrative. Annually, we select a Mediterranean country to explore its cinematic contributions: from cinema attendance and local productions to distribution networks and, most importantly, the narratives themselves. Through a variety of formats including documentaries, short films, and fictional pieces, along with masterclasses and in-depth discussions, we endeavor to unveil another segment of our beloved mare nostrum. Our goal is to foster a collaborative network with institutional bodies such as embassies and cultural institutes, local communities, cinematic organizations, and companies, ensuring a comprehensive portrayal of the selected country.”
The Catania Film Fest (CFF), prominently organized by Daniele Urciuolo for Alfiere Productions, in conjunction with the Catania Film Festival Association, enjoys the collaborative support of the ZO Association Center for Contemporary Cultures. The artistic leadership is vested in the hands of film critic Emanuele Rauco, director and screenwriter Laura Luchetti, alongside the founder of Chain Square.
Building on the previous years that featured Palestine, Tunisia, and Albania, particularly noteworthy is that the fourth edition of Catania Mediterranea will focus on Greece. This neighboring nation has longstanding historical ties to Sicily and boasts a vibrant and illustrious cinematic history. With the high patronage of the European Parliament, the event benefits from the support of the Hellenic Institute of Culture, alongside the patronage of the Embassy of Greece in Italy and the Hellenic Cultural Foundation.
For today’s schedule, activities kick off at 8.30am at the Sala Verde of Zō Centro Culture Contemporanee, featuring the screening of Aerolin (2023) by Alexis Koukias-Pantelis and A piece of liberty (2023) by Antigoni Kapaka as part of the Catania Campus Short Films Out of Competition.
At 9.30am, attendees will be treated to a presentation of the renowned film Eternity and a Day (1998), a masterpiece by Theo Angelopoulos that garnered the Palme d’Or at the 51st Cannes Film Festival. This screening is presented in collaboration with the modern Greek chair of the University of Catania, and will be followed by a stimulating debate moderated by film critic Emanuele Rauco. Participants in this dialogue include journalist Maria Lombardo, the director Carmelo Nicotra, and, through remote connection, the film’s producer Amedeo Pagani as well as Phoebe Angelopoulos, the widow of the celebrated Greek director.
The documentary Going up the river. A journey to meet Theo Angelopoulos (2004) will then be screened, directed and introduced by Carmelo Nicotra himself.
In the afternoon, commencing at 4.00pm within the scope of Catania Film Euromediterranea, following an introduction by journalist Marta Bellingreri, the film in competition, Stray Bodies – Wandering Bodies (2024), directed by Elina Psykou, will be showcased. This will be followed at 6.00pm with the panel discussion entitled Magnifica Them: Contemporary Greece and Sicily: a Mediterranean dialogue, hosted by Radio3 journalist Laura Silvia Battaglia. Notable attendees include the director Sofia Exarchou, president of the Straits Hellenic Society Daniele Macris, journalist Sara Mostaccio, and ethnomusicologist Giuseppe Sanfratello.
At 7.00pm, in collaboration with the LUX Award of the European Parliament, there will be a free screening of the out-of-competition film Animal directed by Sofia Exarchou (2024), preceded by her introductory remarks.
Afterwards, attendees can enjoy a delightful wine tasting from the Tenute Orestiadi wineries in the Gray Room before the evening wraps up at 9.30pm in the Green Room with a special concert event titled Music from Greece. This performance features Vaggelis Merkouris and Luca Cioffi, who will present a selection of Greek music representing both cultured and popular traditions from the Eastern Mediterranean.
The CFF is a certified event under the auspices of the Coordination of Film Festivals in Sicily and enjoys the esteemed high patronage of the European Parliament. It is backed by the Department of Tourism, Sport and Entertainment of the Sicilian Region, the Sicily Film Commission, and the MiC, Ministry of Culture – Directorate General for cinema and audiovisual. The event also benefits from the support of the Hellenic Cultural Institute, along with the patronage of the Municipality of Catania and the Embassy of Greece in Italy. Numerous partners including Folk by Magda Masano, Virauto, Fiorelli Allestimenti, Tacchi & Sapori Factory, Plante, Tenute Orestiadi, F.lli Russo Etna Distillery, Cantine Fina, and other local bodies, associations, and private sponsors contribute to this vibrant event.
For the full program and details on attending the Catania Film Fest, please visit: www.cataniafilmfest.it
FOLLOW CATANIA FILM FEST
Web:
www.cataniafilmfest.itInstagram:
cataniafilmfestFacebook:
What are the key highlights of the Catania Film Fest 2024 lineup?
he Catania Film Fest 2024 is set to dazzle audiences with an exciting lineup, making it a can’t-miss event for film enthusiasts and cultural aficionados alike. With the vital theme of Mediterranean Catania, the festival promises to highlight diverse cinematic narratives, fostering cross-cultural dialogue and exploration.
Hooked yet? You should be! Today’s schedule is rich with screenings, discussions, and even a wine tasting. Starting at 8:30 AM, attendees can catch short films as part of the Catania Campus Short Films Out of Competition. Moving into the morning, the festival features a screening of Eternity and a Day, a stunning epic from Theo Angelopoulos that clinched the prestigious Palme d’Or in 1998. This influential work will be complemented by a panel discussion with prominent guests, including the late director’s family members.
Following these screenings, the events continue with an essential documentary, Going Up the River, which will delve into Angelopoulos’s artistic journey. The afternoon promises stimulating content with the competition film Stray Bodies – Wandering Bodies, discussing contemporary issues of identity and belonging, and the fascinating panel Magnifica Them: Contemporary Greece and Sicily.
As the day wraps up, attendees can unwind at a free screening of Animal, followed by a delightful wine tasting experience. And if you’ve ever thought about appreciating Greek folk music, the concert later that evening featuring Vaggelis Merkouris and Luca Cioffi is your perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the melodies of the Eastern Mediterranean.
The Catania Film Fest epitomizes the collaborative spirit of the Mediterranean, promising engaging discussions and a vibrant exploration of culture and cinema. It’s an invitation to experience storytelling like never before and to step into the rich cultural world of Greece, woven intricately into the fabric of Sicilian identity.
Don’t forget to follow along with the festival’s updates and get your tickets before they sell out! Head over to the official site for all the details, and join in celebrating the magic of film and culture at Catania Film Fest!
