The 2003 festival provides further opportunity to explore the many facets of Italian cinema. We have chosen films this year that cover comedy to drama, period to political, social change to sexual exploration.
www.italianfilmfestival.co.nzThe 2003 festival provides further opportunity to explore the many facets of Italian cinema. We have chosen films this year that cover comedy to drama, period to political, social change to sexual exploration.
www.italianfilmfestival.co.nzThis has been assisted by a new partnership between the festival and Palace Films, the pre-eminent distributor of Italian and other language films in Australasia.

We are pleased this year to be able to screen the latest films from the 3 masters of Italian cinematic comedy, Aldo, Giovanni and Giacomo - 'Ask me if I am Happy' and 'The Legend of Al, Jack and John'. Each of these films has continued to create new records at the Italian box office.

Unfortunately we continue to be frustrated with our inability to bring the classics of Italian cinema to New Zealand during the festival. Even with the weight of the Embassy of Italy brought to bear on Rome we remain unsuccessful in getting agreement for these films to come to New Zealand. Suffice to say the roadblocks thrown at us all were overwhelming. We are confident that in 2004 we will find a way to overcome those frustrations.

The festival welcomes the new Italian Ambassador for New Zealand. The Embassy of Italy is a great supporter of the festival and we look forward to working with the new ambassador. We also like to thank the Society of Italian Authors and Editors (SIAE) and the contributing Italian film distribution companies for their generous support allowing this festival to be held.

Buon divertimento!

Tony Lambert
Director