The greatest stars, directors and contemporary Italian films will be featured in the fourth annual Italian Film Festival, set for Feb. 14 – 21 in Albuquerque. A benefit for the UNM Children’s Hospital, the festival will feature a line-up of 10 films that have garnered more than 100 international prizes and nominations.  For more information visit the website: italianfilmfest.org

Film photo from Agata and the Storm. Licia Maglietta, a shade over 50, is wonderful as Agata

The 2008 Cannes Film Festival Grand Prix winner, Gomorrah, will be included among the newest releases. The 2010 line-up also will include two “classic” films: The White Sheik (1952), Federico Fellini’s first film; and Boccaccio 70 (1962).

The festival will begin with the perfect Valentine’s Day gala: Vincenzo Bellini’s opera Norma, billed as “the ultimate Italian opera.” The classical music presentation will be surrounded by a feast of Italian food and wine. Doors open at the South Broadway Cultural Center at noon, with antipasto, mimosas, biscotti and coffee. Between the two acts of the opera, there will be an intermezzo dinner catered by three of the area’s top Italian restaurants.

Boccaccio

For more information on the 2010 Italian Film Festival, contact Managing Director Ronaldo Patrizio-Steiner at 856-9501 or rsteiner@swcp.com. A complete line-up of activities can be found.