For Immediate Release

7th Annual Italian Film Festival of Minneapolis/St. Paul

Brings Contemporary Italian Culture to Midwest

Minneapolis, MN, 2015 -- The Italian Cultural Center of Minneapolis/St. Paul is thrilled to present a captivating lineup of contemporary Italian filmsduring its7th Annual Italian Film Festival (IFF). The IFF takes place February 26 through March 1 at the St. Anthony Main Theatre, 125 SE Main Street, Minneapolis, MN 55414.

The IFFbrings the unforgettable stories of Italy and its people to Twin Cities audiences. Italian Cultural Center members – many of whom are Italian by birth – savor the opportunity to share a multidimensional glimpse of contemporary life in Italy.

This year’s film festival will feature:

  • Carefully selected contemporary Italian films that are having their Minnesota premieres at the IFF!These films have been winning important awards and thrilling global audiences.
  • Thought-provoking, expert-led post-film discussions.
  • Special events, including a wine tasting and an opening night gala and auction.

Among this year’s films is a visually stunning animated film set in Napoli, a set of award-winning documentaries, and two heartwarming comedies that have the critics raving.

More highlights:

  • Opening night is Thursday, February 26. The festivities begin at 6:30 p.m. with a party in the Aster Café’s River Room, 125 SE Main St., Minneapolis. Guests will enjoy appetizers, wine and a lively auction hosted by WCCO news anchorman Frank Vascellaro. Following the party and auction, the Italian films kick off with a screening of Smetto, Quando, Voglio (I Can Quit Whenever I Want), a charming comedy that’squickly becomea cult hit in Italy. Fast paced and lighthearted, Smetto is a window into the precarious world of youth unemployment.
  • The lineup for Sunday March 1 includes two films that offer unique opportunities for Twin cities audiences:
  • Italy in a Day, a film that challenged 40,000 Italians to pick up a camera and document their lives on 26 October 2013. From 2,200 hours of footage, Academy Award Winner Salvatores and his team compiled a 75-minute masterpiece that captures the beauty, drama, and comedy of everyday Italian life.
  • The classic Italian film L’Amore in Città (Love in the City).Released in 1953, this film is an anthology of Italian cinema, containing six short films, each with its own writer and director. L’Amore is a collection of work by Italian film history’s best directors: Michelangelo Antonioni, Federico Fellini, Dino Risi, Carlo Lizzani, Cesare Zavattini, Francesco Maseli, and Alberto Lattuada. Full of comedy, drama, and romanceas well as beautiful shots of Italy from the 1950s, this is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to view some of the most renowned Italian filmmakers’ works on the big screen!

Tickets and complete information on the IFF feature films, showtimes and events are available hereat the Italian Cultural Center Website The Italian Cultural Center extends a Special Thanks to IFF community partner KBEM Jazz88.

Members of the media may contact:

IFF Executive Director Michelle Baroody

(847) 845-7729

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