Mumbai: The Rome Film Fest is changing its name. The third edition, taking place from 22-31 October will be called the "Festival Internazionale del Film di Roma". This decision was taken by the event’s new president, Gian Luigi Rondi, who took over on 12 June.
The Festival will feature the following sections: Selezione Ufficiale (Official Selection), sub-divided into Anteprima (Premiere) and Cinema 2008, then L’Altro Cinema (Extra), Alice nella città (Alice in the City) and L’Occhio sul mondo (Focus). The Business Street will now be the Mercato del Film (Film Market), destined to become an important showcase for international buyers.
Piera De Tassis will coordinate the work of the artistic directors responsible for the respective sections of the Rome International Film Festival.
The choice of using Italian names to define the Rome Festival and its sections springs from the desire to give the event a stronger Italian identity. This does not mean the festival will shut its doors to international cinema.
Films competing in the Official Selection will be eligible for two prizes: "Marco Aurelio d’Oro" (the Golden Marco Aurelio) for Best Film (75,000 Euros), chosen by votes cast by all festival audience members; and the "Premio della Critica" (Critics’ Prize) for Best Film (75,000 Euros), given by a jury of international professionals. This jury will also award prizes to the Best Actress and Best Actor.
During the Festival, there will be two meetings with David Cronenberg and Michael Cimino. There will be also one exhibition of 50 frames of Cronenberg film. It will be an international premiere. The festival will give three homage one to Alida Valli, other to Nino Manfredi and the third one to Dino Risi.
