Apr 7 through 13, 2011.
For seven days in April, the mercury will rise as South Beach meets Sicily at the 6th Annual Sicilian Film Festival (SFF) April 7 to 13, 2011. The screenings will be held at the recently inaugurated Miami Beach Cinematheque located at the Historic City Hall, 1130 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach, 33139. It will be a feast for all senses and party for all, showcasing the best of Sicily and Italy: cinema, literature, art, fashion, food and wine, culture, history, and people. Spearheaded by founder and president, Emanuele Viscuso, the SFF has grown from a small festival, developed in only a few weeks’ time, to the grand event it is today – an internationally recognized film festival organized and supported by contributors located around the globe.
The idea emerged after Viscuso received a request, from the Regione Siciliana (the Sicilian Film Commission) and by the Cultural Association, Ragusani nel Mondo, to showcase in Miami the works of Sicilian film directors. Describing his vision for the first festival held in 2006, he stated: “I imagined a kind of festival able to combine films and culture, entertainment and friendship, information and communication. From that moment real miracles started happening. Incredible supporters appeared magically. Instinctive love and tremendous appreciation for this idea were revealed by friends and sponsors. Extremely important people and institutions offered their help. Many professionals were happy to participate with their work and sustain. All this happened in a few days. I can say, I eye witnessed a miracle.”
Viscuso brings to the SFF a legacy of artistic contributions. Born in Palermo, Sicily, he is an artist and a cultural events organizer and promoter. His most famous piece is the 45 foot large sculpture Wave-Bridge On The Imaginary located at the Milan Malpensa international airport. His activity and international recognition goes from the field of music, design, art, photography, poetry, to architecture, urban planning and social causes. He represents private and public cultural institutions. He is also the founder of the International Festival of Organ Music in the Churches of the Historic Princedom of Castelbuono, Sicily. Viscuso has taken part in the Esperia STS-120/10A Mission, launched on October 23, 2007 from the NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre in Florida as delegate in Florida of Accademia Italiana della Cucina, a Cultural Institution of the Italian Republic. Thanks to his proposal and support on board the Space Shuttle Discovery, Node 2 – the interconnecting unit developed in Italy by Thales Alenia Space – and the ESA, the Italian Paolo Nespoli and other astronauts started their journey towards the International Space Station (ISS) bringing with them Italian and Sicilian food to offer to the other astronauts on the Station in orbit. The City of Miami Beach, where he has resided since November 2000, presented him with the Key to the City on October 17, 2007 as recognition for his cultural commitment to the community.
Through a cooperative effort by the Roberto Granata Foundation and the Sicilian Film Festival, a photographic exhibit titled: “Roberto Granata: Sicilian Photographer in Hollywood” will bring a touch of Hollywood glamour to South Florida. The display is a collection of Granata’s portraits of favorite celebrities such as: Anne Hathaway, Andie MacDowell, Robert De Niro, Diane Keaton, and Isabella Rossellini. Granata’s Foundation helps to support orphaned children in areas of the world that have been struck by earthquakes.
April 7, 2011 will be declared “Sicilian Film Festival Day” by the City of Miami Beach. In speaking about the 2010 SFF, Matti Herrera Bower, Mayor of Miami Beach, stated: “We recognize that through theatre, music and art, and love, boundaries are traversed and all nations learn to share each other’s works and get to understand and appreciate their different cultures. I believe [the Sicilian Film Festival] does a great deal for international relations.”
The evening will bring a ‘red carpet affair’ presenting directors and actors from each of the films including: Giovanna Taviani, Pasquale Squitieri, Franco Nero, Claudia Cardinale, Valeria Solarino, Isabella Ragonese, Donatella Maiorca, and Giuseppe Tornatore. With the generous support of many and through a variety of presentations and events, the 6th Sicilian Film Festival will offer everyone an affordable, but stylish cultural experience served South Beach style!
The Sicilian Film Festival
Miami Beach Cinematheque
1130 Washington Avenue
Miami Beach, FL 33139
www.SicilianFilmFestival.com
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