The ninth edition of the Messina Opera Film Festival directed by Ninni Panzera continues at the Sala Laudamo of the Teatro Vittorio Emanuele. Today’s protagonist is the famous British director and animator Barry Purves who, at 6pm, will receive the Messina Cinema&Opera Award. Following there will be a screening of one of his most acclaimed works: Rigoletto created in 1993. Another big name present at MOFF is Andrea Andermann, director, producer and authentic pioneer of live melodrama worldwide. The festival will be a tribute to him with the revival of four films which, between 1992 and 2012, revolutionized the way of enjoying opera on television. These films were broadcast worldwide during the performances, respecting the places and times indicated in the opera librettos: these are Tosca in Rome and Traviata in Paris, directed by Giuseppe Patroni Griffi; Rigoletto in Mantua, directed by Marco Bellocchio; and Cinderella, directed by Carlo Verdone.
Furthermore, in collaboration with UniversoMe of the University of Messina and some city schools, a Masterclass will be held on the morning of Thursday 4 December led by Andrea Andermann, who will illustrate the various production phases of these projects, the challenges faced and how he managed to achieve an undertaking which, over ten years after the last production, continues to represent an example of complexity and innovation. The masterclass is free and open to all. On this day the Messina Cinema&Opera Prize will be awarded to Andrea Andermann.
On Thursday evening, the Note di celluloid concert is scheduled at 9pm at the Teatro Vittorio Emanuele, which will feature the TVE Orchestra conducted by Benedetto Montebello. The international short film competition will begin on Wednesday 3 December with 14 works from six countries competing. The competition represents a real challenge and demonstrates how melodrama is still popular all over the world today. The Jury composed of Paolo Vivaldi (composer), Axel Ranisch (director) and Antonia Bain (director) will identify the winning short which will be awarded the Emi Mammoliti Award for Best Short Film. The awarding of a Special Jury Prize and one for the Best Performer is also foreseen. From this year a new recognition will be awarded by a special Jury made up of young university students, in collaboration with the newspaper UniversoMe.
The Messina Opera Film Festival is produced by the La Zattera dell’Arte Association, the Teatro di Messina, the Sicily Film Commission of the Regional Tourism Department, the Messina Foundation for Culture of the Municipality of Messina and the Ministry of Culture. They also support Unioncamere Sicilia, CNA Sicilia, the Corelli Conservatory, the University of Messina, the Formula 3 Group. Sponsored by Rai Sicilia, Media partner Rai, MYMovies and UniversoMe.