The i-Fest International Film Festival 2024 got into full swing last night in Castrovillari, with the first of three gala evenings hosted within the wonderful scenic context of the Aragonese Castle. This event was conceived by the Calabrian actor Giuseppe Panebianco (who is in charge of the artistic direction) and the Sicilian communication manager Glauce Valdini, who for years has represented one of the most interesting cinematographic realities in Calabria and one of the most innovative and appreciated festivals at a national level (as demonstrated, among other things, by its many, very prestigious institutional patronages and exclusive media partnerships) and international level (the event boasts the patronage of ten foreign embassies and cultural institutes from various countries around the world).
Today we will start with an afternoon packed with screenings scheduled starting at 4:30 pm in the welcoming Teatro Vittoria, an important Castrovillarese structure dedicated to culture, which in recent days has hosted the event’s info point and welcomed not only the territorial jury busy with the screening of the works in the Official Selection of the international contest “Orizzonti” in the categories “Short Film” and “Doc”, but also a very large cinephile audience from all over the region with dozens and dozens of screenings, many of which are national previews, and which in its foyer hosts the two photographic exhibitions (one of which is digital) dedicated to the divine Sophia Loren, like the entire festival this year.
At 6 pm, instead, in the Multimedia Room of the Aragonese Castle, the children’s jury will be at work (who will evaluate the works in competition in the “Animation” section) and the youth jury (who will be judges of the works in competition in the “Young Talents/Short” and “Young Talent/Feature” categories), while starting at 7:30 pm, the long-awaited appointment with the red carpet and the photo call is scheduled upon the arrival of the guests who will be the protagonists of the second evening dedicated to the “Calabria Award”.
On the large stage designed by set designer Mario Garrambone, during the evening the splendid Venezuelan show girl Aida Yespica will invite the following to come on stage to tell her story to the audience and receive the awards created by master goldsmith Michele Affidato: journalist and writer Attilio Sabato, Rai Cinema marketing manager Carlo Rodomonti, Marco De Angelis, Ntv – Italo sales director, Luca Miniero, director of great comedies and TV series, Stefano Reali, author of numerous television successes who will present his latest book Shakespeare AEnigma, and Cannes Palme d’Or winner Cristian Mungiu.
For the grand finale, Italy’s most beloved showman will take the stage: the great Nino Frassica, who will go on stage together with the artistic director Giuseppe Panebianco, who with sharp and pertinent questions and splendid video contributions by Glauce Valdini will retrace the most significant stages of the incredible career of the artist from Messina.
A complete and compelling artist (his comedy is based on rambling and irreverent nonsense, peppered with obvious expressions and amusing puns), he boasts a wealth of television experience as a comedian (he became famous in the 1980s thanks to Renzo Arbore, who included him in cult programs such as Quelli della notte and Indietro tutta, and then participated in many successful programs) and a successful career in the cinema (since the 1990s he has been one of the most prominent actors on the Italian comedy scene).