Cinema in preview, told by the protagonists and in competition: the lights of the Asti Film Festival are turned on. The 11th edition confirms the formula of previous years: six sections in competition (shorts, documentaries and feature films, Italian and international), a seventh dedicated to animation shorts with jury chaired by Gino Vercelli, previews, meetings with directors and actors, themed spaces dedicated to Asti talents on the set and behind the camera, awarding of the winners and special awards: Octavia Piccolo (Lifetime Achievement Award), Richard Collect (City of Asti Award) e Dino Abbrescia (“Joy and happiness” award, named after the Bugnano twins).
«The 120 titles in competition were selected from over 400 proposals arrived for this edition – he explains Riccardo Costa, president of Asti Film Festival – At least 80 of these will be accompanied by the protagonists, directors and performers, from different countries of the world (such as Iceland, Iran, Cuba, United States, Israel, Lithuania), given that also in this edition the festival sees numerous foreign works in competition “.
Saturday 18 December, in the final evening two previews: “The long-awaited film”Notes of a woman salesman“By Fabio Resinaro (with Mario Sgueglia, Libero De Rienzo, Paolo Rossi) based on the novel of the same name by Giorgio Faletti – underlines Costa – And the short film “The hidden treasure” by Gianni Miroglio, text by Laura Calosso“. Among the works in competition and previews, there are several names from Asti: «Among the participants there are the actors Isabella Tabarini, Fabrizio Rizzolo and Andrea Bosca – Costa anticipates – the director Giuseppe Varlotta with his son Nicolò Amos, young directors like Chiara Troisi and Federico Trento. And again the Turin actor Giovanni Anzaldo, friend of the festival, who will be in Asti to present his book “Vite al macello” ».
Among the guests, they will arrive at the Asti Film Festival Ezra Knight (known for TV series such as “Law & Order” and “Billions”), Susy Laude (“All for Uma”, “Just a minute”) e Stefano Pesce (“From zero to ten”, “The thirteenth apostle”), the musician Roberto Pischiutta (aka Pivio), the actor Nahd Bashir (“Pink Subaru”). «Guests, of course, also this year’s winners – continues Costa – actor Richard Sammel, whom many will remember in films like“ Inglourious Basterds ”or in the TV series“ The strain ”. And again, the actress Ottavia Piccolo (formerly the Best Actress award at Cannes in 1970 and the Silver Ribbon 1987 for Ettore Scola’s “The family”) and the actor Dino Abbrescia, a well-known face also for successful TV series ».
Thematic sections such as nature and environmental protection, disability, migration, integration, contemporary history, civil rights, art and folklore will also be explored, in collaboration with local realities and associations. “I saw the birth of this festival as a councilor for Culture with the then Galvagno councilor – comments the councilor Gianfranco Imerito – I see it continue in recent years with success and always growing thanks to the stubbornness of the organizers ». «Asti is increasingly linked to cinema and not only for the festival, but also for its increasingly attractive places as a set – adds the mayor Rasero – In the cultural galaxy, the festival plays a big part. This year the festival dates coincide with the “Magical Christmas Village”: we hope it will be an additional opportunity to involve new spectators “.
The screenings of the titles in competition at the Asti Film Festival began yesterday with «Paradise. A new life »by Davide Del Degan. Next Tuesday will be the turn of «Regina» with Francesco Montanari, Ginevra Francesconi, Barbara Giordano. It is Alessandro Grande’s first feature film after the David di Donatello for the short «Bismillah». The other Italian debut films in competition are «Selfiemania» by Elisabetta Pellini; “Come niente” by Davide Como; “The Aphid and the Ant” by Mario Vitale; “Fortuna” by Nicolangelo Gelormini; “On the most beautiful” by Alice Filippi; «Maternal» by Maura Delpero; “All for Uma” by Susy Laude. Nine foreign films in competition, from Cuba, Russia, France, China, Austria, Brazil, USA, Kyrgyzstan, France-Lithuania. “For the titles in competition – concludes Riccardo Costa – in addition to the critical jury, another three will be at work juries: the public, the students and inmates of the Quarto prison ».
Asti Film Festival is organized by Sciarada productions with the Vertigo circle, with the patronage of the Municipality, the Region and the Torino Piemonte Film Commission. Numerous partners including Biblioteca Astense, Cpia, Asti Pride, Schermi di carta, Fridays for future, La Città del sole. Info: [email protected]; www.astifilmfestival.it.