Welcome
Wow Itís June!! Here we go! Itís the Ninth Annual Toronto Italian Film Festival.
BENVENUTI A TUTTI. I think you will be really proud of us this year. I cannot remember ever having a better lineup of fi lms than now. WE HAVE OUTDONE OURSELVES! Congratulations Italian and Italian Canadian Filmmakers. Firstly, we have scooped every fi lm festival in the world with the North American premier of ì7 Km From Jerusalemî. This masterpiece of cinema has been praised most of the Italian media and by a no less fi gure than his Holiness Pope Benedict XVI. Among the other fi lms from our Italian fi lmmakers, we have two of the largest grossing fi lms in recent Italian memory; one very poignant story about a historical mafi a adversary; and a coming of age tale that we can all relate to. We also have a new Canadian premier of a film by Franco Nero that will certainly take you down a musical memory-lane. We are also very proud to present three world premier, Canadian films that will have you wondering if the subject matter is not about you and what it is to be Italo/Canadian. Once again we at the Festival are ready to showcase some of the best fi lms made this past year both out of Italy and Canada. Our Italian fi lm lovers have made this festival one of the biggest Italian film festival in North America. Congratulations! We are privileged.
Each year the Toronto Italian Film Festival recognizes an outstanding individual who has contributed to the art of film and film culture this year, we are extremely proud to honour just such an individual, her nameÖGabriella Martinelli, president and CEO of Capri Films. Ms. Martinelli is one of Canadaís most successful fi lmmakers. You can read about some of her accomplishments in our Spotlight article of this Program Guide. Each year the Festival attracts a group of volunteers that have made this Festival what it is today. A group of hard-working individuals that deserve a special mention, a big thank you and praise by yours truly, the following are: Lino Grasso, Head Programmer; Alessandra Zoppas Programming; Nadia Fiorino, Programming; A huge thank you goes to a very talented writer/fi lmmaker, Karen Shenfeld, whose writing magic has displayed the epitome of professionalism; Marlo De Lucia, Sales; and Monica Man, Graphics. My anchor and very understanding wife, Aurora Bustamante/ Lamberti, my soul-mate. All of our efforts would not be possible without the continued support of the following generous individuals, THANK YOU: Mr. Lenny Lombardi, President, CHIN Radio and Television, Mr. Ali Bidibadi, CHIN Television, Mr. Marco Guglietti, Rosehaven Homes, Mr. George Friedman, President Windsor Arms Hotel, Mr. Robert Stein, President of Plaza Pontiac Buick GMC, Mr. Enzo De Luca, President Colio Wines, Mr. Stephen Bartolini, President International Academy of Design and Technology, Ms. Paola Berardini and Mr. Joe March, Multicom Media, Mr. Sergio Tagliavini of Lo Specchio, Mr. Tommi Korhonen, European Reporter, Mr. Sal Ritacca and Mr. Domenic Tassielli of Leonardo Da Vinci Academy of Arts and Sciences, Danielle Iversen, President That PR Thing, Mr. Lino Colangelo, of Ital Records, Mr. Rocco and Virginia Mastrangelo of MVP Video, Mr. Luca Viscardi, President Toula Ristorante and Bar, Mr. Paul Bordonaro and Mama Rosa of the Bloor Cinema, Mr. Marco Mastrangelo and the staff at Eden Trattoria, Mr. John De Laurentiis of Le Firme, Filmauro, Ms. Gabriella Martinelli, president of Capri Films, Mr. Aldo Di Felice, President TLN Television, Mr. John Montesano, TLN Television, Agatha Pezzi, TLN Television, and all of our tireless volunteers.
Last and certainly not least, YOU, the Italian Cinema lovers, MILLE GRAZIE.
Fred Lamberti Chairman