The 4th Johannesburg Italian Film Festival…

They are back for their fourth year, and we had such a great time last year that we cannot wait to attend again. This year the Johannesburg Italian Film Festival will be showcasing the films of award-winning Italian film Director, Paolo Genovese, who will also be the guest of honour at the festival.

A number of award-winning Italian films are going to be screened – and the best part is that the festival is free to attend. Free movies? You heard us right :)

Six of Genovese’s films will be screened at no cost over the three-day event, and the director will also be hosting a Q&A session at AFDA with young South African filmmakers, the aim of which is to exchange and inspire ideas.

The festival is presented to the South African public by the Consulate General of Italy in Johannesburg, and Claudio Coci, president of the CCIS and curator of the festival shares, ‘We are very honoured to host a director of this calibre and we hope that Genovese’s presence may inspire young South African filmmakers to follow their passions and persevere in filmmaking.’

Genovese is one of Italy’s most successful contemporary directors and he was awarded both the ‘David di Donatello’ award at the Venice film festival as well as the award for best screenwriter at the Tribeca Film Festival, for his film, ‘Perfect Strangers’ in 2016.

The comedy-drama revolves around a circle of friends who decide to bare their secrets at a dinner by exposing the contents of their smartphones for all to see. It has been remade in several languages after grossing more than €14 million at the Italian box office in that year.

The full film schedule is available online on the JIFF website (below) and will be screened in Italian with English subtitles.

Entry free, but on a first come first served basis with limited seating. Hosted at Rosebank Cinema Noveau from 16th – 18th November – this is one not to be missed! Details: www.jiffestival.com