Savour all the glamour, passion, drama and artistry of Italian cinema when the Lavazza Italian Film Festival presented by Palace Cinemas hits Melbourne this September.

 The 11^th edition showcases twenty six films handpicked from the Cannes, Berlin, Rome and Venice film festivals. Among the festival highlights are opening night selection LA NOSTRA VITA, which won the Best Actor Award for Elio Germano at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.  Others include The First Beautiful Thing by Paolo Virzi (Her Whole Life Ahead), a runner-up for Best Film at this year’s David Di Donatello Awards (Italy’s own Oscars). Sweeping epic BAARIA (by Giuseppe Tornatore (Cinema Paradiso), chosen to open the 2009 Venice International Film Festival; controversial political documentary DRAQUILA – ITALY TREMBLES from Official Selection in Cannes; and Raoul Bova in the rom-com Sorry if I want to marry you.

 Other highlights include Giuseppe Capotondi’s debut feature THE DOUBLE HOUR; Gabriele Salvatores’ tongue-in-cheek comedy HAPPY FAMILY; Ferzan Ozpetek’s coming-out comedy LOOSE CANNONS; Silvio Soldini’s relationship drama WHAT MORE DO I WANT (with Alba Rohwacher (I Am Love); compelling drama THE MAN WHO WILL COME which won the Best Film Award at the 2010 David Di Donatello Awards; and impressive debut feature TEN WINTERS.

For full program, visit the website www.italianfilmfestival.com.au