This year the Italian film industry is joining forces to present a unified face at the Cannes International Film Festival (16 – 27 May, Cannes, France), based in the I-Club on the first floor of the Hilton Hotel on the Croisette. This was where the old Palais du Cinema operated until the 1980s, and where Directors’ Fortnight is held today.
In spite of the absence of Italian titles in the main competition at this 60th Cannes Film Festival – though Italy retains its second place in the list of all-time Palme d’Or winners – the participation of Italian artists and professionals is richer than ever. Ermanno Olmi, Paolo and Vittorio Taviani (celebrating the 30th anniversary of their Palme d’Or for Father and Master), Daniele Luchetti, Riccardo Scamarcio and Elio Germano have already confirmed their presence on the Hilton terrace.
The Italian film industry has chosen the Hilton as its base. Partners are: Cinecitta Holding Group; ANICA (the Italian Film, Audiovisual and Multimedia Industries Association); API (Independent Authors and Producers Association); the RomeFilmFest; Giornate degli Autori – Venice Days; the National Museum of Cinema in Turin; Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia (CSC); RAI Cinema; SNGCI (Italian Cinematographic Press Association); Coming Soon Television; Cinecitta News; Cinematografo magazine; and the first international partner, The Hollywood Reporter.
I-Club is also being used as an HQ for five exporters (Filmexport Group, Intramovies, Minerva Pictures, Movietime and Variety Communications) and an assortment of regional institutions. These are led by Mediateca Regionale Toscana (the Tuscany Region Media Archive), the Tuscany Film Commission and the Fondazione Sistema Toscana making substantial contributions to the club’s “entertainment” and communications side, joined by Filas – Lazio Region organising film industry meetings.
Already confirmed events include the promotion of Mio fratello e figlio unico (at Un Certain Regard), the launch of new Italian titles at the Market and meetings for developing co-production projects and festival presentations.
