New Italian Cinema, presented by the San Francisco Film Society; New Italian Cinema Events of Florence, Italy; the Consulate General of Italy, San Francisco and the Italian Cultural Institute of San Francisco wrapped up an eight-day run dedicated to celebrating the rich cinematic tradition of Italy and bringing the country’s newest directors and films to audiences in San Francisco. Andrea Segre's Shun Li and the Poet was selected to receive the NICE City of Florence Award.

The NICE City of Florence Award was decided by audience ballots from San Francisco screenings of films in competition and announced at the Closing Night award ceremony Sunday, November 18 by Rod Armstrong of the Film Society and Viviana del Bianco of New Italian Cinema Events.

This year’s New Italian Cinema featured a competitive series of seven feature films by emerging directors, a four-film tribute to actress/director Valeria Golino—including a sneak peek on Opening Night of an excerpt from her feature directorial debut Vi Perdono—a special documentary presentation featuring Duccio Chiarini’s Hit the Road, Nonna, and two Closing Night screenings of Laura Morante’s film The Cherry on the Cake.

In an announcement on Opening Night, the New Italian Cinema Events organization presented the Susan Batson Award for acting to tributee Valeria Golino and to Alessandro Roja (The Greatest of Them All). Now in its fourth year, the award acknowledges superb acting talent and provides actors an opportunity to study their craft with acclaimed acting coach Susan Batson.

For the fourth year, the Film Society’s Youth Education program teamed up with many of the filmmaker guests in town for New Italian Cinema to arrange school visits and cultural enrichment opportunities for local high school students. Ivan Cotroneo (director of Kryptonite!), Roan Johnson (director of The First on the List) and Raffaele Verzillo (director of 100 Meters to Heaven) made visits to Italian classes at San Francisco School of the Arts and Lowell High School to discuss their craft—mostly in Italian—with many students.

New Italian Cinema was presented with additional support from Comune di Firenze; Fondazione Sistema Toscana; Ministero dei Beni Culturali; Regiona Toscana; John and Romana Bracco and Guerrino De Luca; media sponsors San Francisco Examiner and San Francisco Bay Guardian; event sponsor Osha Restaurant and Lounge; and venue sponsor Landmark Theatres.

San Francisco Film Society
Building on a legacy of more than 50 years of bringing the best in world cinema to the Bay Area, the San Francisco Film Society is a national leader in exhibition, education and filmmaker services.

The Film Society presents more than 100 days of exhibition each year, reaching a total audience of more than 100,000 people. Its acclaimed education program introduces international, independent and documentary cinema and media literacy to more than 10,000 teachers and students. Through Filmmaker360, the Film Society’s filmmaker services program, essential creative and business services, professional development classes, and funding totaling millions of dollars are provided to deserving filmmakers of all levels.

The Film Society seeks to elevate all aspects of film culture, offering a wide range of activities that engage emotions, inspire action, change perceptions and advance knowledge. A 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation, it is largely donor and member supported. Patronage and membership provides discounted prices, access to grants and residencies, private events and a wealth of other benefits.

For more information visit sffs.org.

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