The Flaiano Film Festival, directed by director and screenwriter Riccardo Milani, is held in Pescara from 1 to 6 July 2024 at the Cinema Teatro S. Andrea, with free admission while seats last, as part of the 51st edition of the Flaiano International Awards. . The event ends on 7 July in Piazza della Rinascita with the Flaiano Prize for cinema, theatre, television and journalism.
Founded in 1973 by Edoardo Tiboni to honor Ennio Flaiano and constantly propose the study of his work, the International Flaiano Awards constitute a structure divided into a whole series of events, reviews, conferences, shows in which concrete cultural motifs converge: in the specific sense of production of literary, theatrical, cinematographic and television “events” which culminate in the summer and autumn days of the award ceremony. Precious heritage of Pescara and Italy, in their composite configuration, they have always intended to honor Ennio Flaiano outside of a cold commemorative practice, activating on the contrary a set of events in which concrete cultural motifs converge, in the more specific sense of production and dissemination of literary, theatrical, cinematographic and television facts.
In the presentation conference of the festival, Riccardo Milani, artistic director since 2018, and the president Carla Tiboni, illustrated the program of the event and announced a first guest, the actress Kasia Smutniak, who on July 3rd will present her directorial debut, the documentary “Mur”. As usual, there are three sections of the festival: the Flaiano Opera Competition first and second, the Panorama Italiano and the Homage, this year dedicated to the centenary of the birth of Marcello Mastroianni.
The Flaiano Opera Prima and Seconda Competition, a competitive section of the festival, reserved for Italian-produced films that have received ministerial funding, includes the screening of actresses’ and actors’ first works as directors: from Micaela Ramazzotti (“Felicità”, which will open the competition, at 8.30 pm on Monday 1st July) to Michele Riondino (“Palazzina Laf”), passing through Kasia Smutniak (“Mur”), Alessandro Roia (“With the grace of a God”) and Claudio Bisio (“L ‘last time we were children’). A popular jury, made up of 100 enthusiasts aged 14 and over, will vote for the best film after viewing the last title in competition on Friday 5 July. The winner will be revealed during the final awards evening, Sunday 7 July.
The Panorama Italiano section presents Italian films representative of the current cinematographic season: from “Comandante” by Edoardo De Angelis to “C’è Ancora Tomorrow” by Paola Cortellesi, “Io Capitano” by Matteo Garrone, “Cento Domeniche” by Antonio Albanese, “Mia” by Ivano De Matteo and the animated film by Enzo d’Alò, “Mary and the Midnight Spirit”.
The Homage to Marcello Mastroianni offers a retrospective dedicated to the actor, on the centenary of his birth. He will be remembered with “A particular day” and “Dramma della jealousia” by Ettore Scola, “The companions” by Mario Monicelli, “Ginger and Fred” by Federico Fellini, “Matrimonio all’italiana” by Vittorio De Sica and “Todo Modo” by Elio Petri.
“It is a source of great pride for me – underlines Riccardo Milani – to direct the Flaiano Film Festival, within such a prestigious award as the Flaiano, for the name and personality of Ennio Flaiano, a very current cultural reference figure. His ferocious and self-deprecating aphorisms and thoughts have told and continue to tell our country with unique wit and intelligence. As regards the selection of films – continued Milani – I acted as for my films: I look for the audience, I don’t like extreme cinephilia. Quality at the cinema is measured without self-celebration, but with concreteness and this festival wants to demonstrate this, with a choice of films that also takes into account the fundamental enjoyment of younger people”.
A deep bond with the land of Abruzzo, on the part of Riccardo Milani, who has chosen Abruzzo in various titles of his filmography. Among these, the recent “Un mondo a parte”, filmed in the small town of Opi, with some scenes in Pescasseroli – where most of the supporting actors come from – in Villetta Barrea, in Civitella Alfedena, but also on Lake Barrea , in Passo Godi, in L’Aquila and in Gioia dei Marsi. Then, dated 2003, “Il posto dell’anima”, filmed largely in Vasto, with scenes filmed in San Sebastiano dei Marsi. Another title from the Roman director’s “Abruzzo” filmography, “The War of the Antò”, whose twenty-fifth anniversary will be next year, was filmed in Montesilvano and in the Piana del Fucino.
“The 51st edition of the Flaiano International Awards – declares Carla Tiboni, president of the award – renews this year too the desire and will to honor the historical figure of Italian cinema, through the various sections of the award (cinema, theatre, television, journalism and poetry). The large participation of authors also in the fiction and poetry prizes enhance an edition full of artistic presences”.
Before the Flaiano Film Festival, the Flaiano International Awards continue their journey on June 22nd, with the Flaiano International Poetry Award. Then, the Flaiano International Prize for Fiction and Italian Studies, which is held on 30 June and which sees the three finalists in the over 35 category composed of Cristina Battocletti with her “Epigenetica” (published by La nave di Teseo), Antonio Franchini with “Il fire that you carry inside you” (published by Marsilio) and Dario Voltolini with “Invernale” (published by La nave di Teseo). The trio of finalists in the under 35 category is made up of Greta Olivo with “Spilli” (published by Einaudi), Vincenzo Reale with “La Fortune del Greco” (published by Rubbettino) and Marta Zura-Puntaroni with “L’olivastro” (published by effequ). The 2024 editions of the 25th International Writing and Image Festival dedicated to short films and the second edition of the “Flaiano fO” International Festival of Photography and Journalism have already been archived.
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