It is with great pleasure that I, again, welcome you to this year's milestone presentation of the Toronto Italian Film Festival, the fifth. Your enthusiasm and support of our film line-up each year is evidenced by our ever-increasing attendance. This, of course, makes our duties at the Festival so much more pleasurable. Italian film lovers, we thank you.

Toronto at this time of the year, is buzzing with activity, we are delighted that the Italian film festival is at the forefront of great summer indulgences. Aside from the obvious great weather that we enjoy, we love our Italian cinema. This year, Italian filmmakers have given us some fantastic choices. Our line-up is terrific. There is something for everyone including, some great Canadian shorts and North American and Canadian premiers. And not to be missed, some very interesting, visiting Italian and Canadian filmmaker, actors and directors for question and answer sessions.

This letter has become a big treat for me, I get to indulge myself and thank some very special people, whose support is invaluable and without them this festival would not be possible. So, a BIG thank you: Dr. Carlo Coen, Director of the Italian Cultural Institute, Mr. Lenny Lombardi, President of CHIN Radio and Television, Mr. Enzo De Luca, President of Siena Foods and Colio Wines, Mr. Marco Guglietti, Rosehaven Homes, Mr. George Friedman, President of the Windsor Arms Hotel, Ms. Alice Lee, of Telus Mobility, Mr. Robert Stein and Rick Cece of Plaza Pontiac Buick, Mr. Sam Scanga of Gus on Bay, Mr. Steven Salari of Coco Lezzone, Ms. Luciana Spagna of Alitalia Airlines, Mr Tom Vella of Heineken Canada, Ms. Brenda Burns of OMNI Diversity Television, Mr. Sal Ritacca and Mr. Domenic Tassielli of Leonardo Da Vinci Academy of Arts and Sciences, Mr. Daniel Iannuzzi, President and Publisher of Corriere Canadese and Tandem News, Mr. Rocco Mastrangelo, President of MVP Video, Mr. Paul Norris at Deluxe Labs, Mr. Lou and Wendy Myles, of Lou Myles Disegniatore, Mr. Carlo Settembrini, Italian Culural Institute, Adriana Chiesa Enterprises, Intra Movies, Mr. Gord Kidder and Rob Collis of CFRB Ralio, Mr. Mark Mastrangelo owner and the whole staff at Eden Trattoria, Benito, Franca and Silvia Piantoni at La Bruschetta Restaurant, Mr. Luca Viscardi, President, Toula Ristorante and Bar, Ms. Danielle Iversen, President, thatPR Thing, Mr. Lino Colangelo of Ital Records, Mr. Jay Goldman President, inflectionDESIGN, and 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
Festival Chairman

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