It is with delightful pleasure that I, once again, welcome everyone to this year's presentation of the Toronto Italian Film Festival, the fourth. Your enthusiastic approval of our film line-up each year is evidenced by your ever-increasing attendance. This, of course, makes our duties at the Festival so much more pleasurable. So to you, Italian film lovers, thank you.

Mid-June in Toronto has become a much-anticipated time of year. Aside from the obvious great weather that we enjoy, we love our Italian cinema. Each year Italian filmmakers are giving us at the Festival, more to choose from. This year is no exception. Our line-up is terrific. There is something for everyone including, some great Canadian shorts and full-length features, North American and Canadian premiers. And not to be missed, some very interesting, visiting Italian and Canadian filmmaker, for question and answer sessions.

A sadness of this year's festival is the passing of Mr. Johnny Lombardi. His support and enthusiastic presence will be greatly missed.

As I do each year in this message, I indulge myself to thank some very special people, whose support is invaluable and without them this festival would not be possible. So, thank you: Tina Molinari, MPP Thornhill, (this year's Honorary Chair, Toronto Italian Film Festival), Mr. Lenny Lombardi, President of CHIN Radio and Television, Mr. Enzo De Luca, President of Siena Foods and Colio Wines, Dr. Carlo Coen, Director of the Italian Cultural Institute, Toronto, Mr. Lou Lettieri and Family of National Cheese, Mr. Joseph Vitale, President of Italpasta and Vitale Brands, Mr. George Friedman, President of the Windsor Arms Hotel, Mr. Clemente Benelli, President and CEO of IntesaBci Bank, Mr. Pier Luigi Roi and Ms. Brenda Burns of CFMT International, Mr. Daniel Iannuzzi, President and Publisher of Corriere Canadese and Tandem News, Dr. Angelo Infusino, Italian Trade Commissioner, Mr. Rocco Mastrangelo, President of MVP Video, Mr. Paul Norris at Deluxe Labs, Mr. Lou and Wendy Myles, of Lou Myles Disegniatore, Mr. Peter Dhama, Ferrari Maserati of Ontario, Mr. Carlo Settembrini, Italian Culural Institute, Adriana Chiesa Enterprises, Mr. Marco Guglietti, Rosehaven Homes, Intra Movies, Mr. Gord Kidder, CFRB Ralio, Mr. Mark Mastrangelo owner and the whole staff at Eden Trattoria, Benito, Franca and Silvia Piantoni at La Bruschetta Restaurant, Mr. Luca Vscardi President, Toula Ristorante and Bar, Ms. Danielle Iversen President, thatPRThing, Mr. Jay Goldman President, inflectionDesign, all of the volunteers who, with tireless energy help with the logistics and day to day hard work that goes into this terrific undertaking and last and certainly not least YOU, the Italian cinema lovers, Mille Grazie.

Fred Lamberti
Chairman