The Italian Film Festival was founded in 2000 by Antonio Zeccola who, in one of the many success stories of Australian migrants, built Australia's only national network of boutique cinemas , which now includes more than one hundred screens nationwide. Eighteen years ago Antonio realized that in Australia there were other film festivals but none dedicated to Italian cinema, and an idea was born. In November 2000 in Sydney and Melbourne, the first edition featured 11 feature films, five retrospective titles and five short films, including the opening night selection Silvio Soldini's Pane e tulipani (Bread and Tulips) and I cento passi (The Hundred steps) directed by Marco Tullio. Jordan. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The event was a resounding success. Driven by public demand, the second Italian Film Festival expanded nationally in 2001 to Perth, Adelaide and Brisbane, with the opening night selection Malena starring Monica Bellucci, the centerpiece The Son's Room (The Son's Room ) directed by Nanni Moretti and the closing night selection L'ultimo baci (The Last Kiss) directed by Gabriele Muccino. Since then the festival has grown in popularity, to the point that it now becomes the largest public celebration of Italian cinema outside of Italy. Organized entirely by Palace, a 100% Australian-owned independent family business, the festival continues to showcase new contemporary Italian cinema and acclaimed classics on the big screen. For nearly two decades the Festival has celebrated Italian language, culture and la dolce vita with an ever-growing audience, attracting 86,500 people nationwide last year. The opening night of the Italian Film Festival was honored with the screening of Let go! (“Let go”), winner of the 2017 Italian Golden Globe for best comedy. -expert in matters of the body, but less so of the mind. With a Sigmund Freud-style beard and glasses, Servillo is Dr. Elia Venezia, a psychoanalyst who is separated from his wife but still lives in the same apartment building as her. Venice lives a comfortable and rather self-centered existence, until a period of illness forces him to turn to the doctor. Tasked with losing weight, he befriends a vivacious Spanish personal trainer, Claudia (Verónica Echegui), a single mother with a criminal, deranged ex-boyfriend. As Claudia drags Elia around Rome, a series of mishaps occur, breathing new energy into her tired and predictable life.Servillo, known for his dramatic work with Paolo Sorrentino (The Great Beauty), clearly revels in a change of pace with this lighthearted caper.Continue mind: this is just one example. Get a custom article from our expert writers now. Get a custom essay The screening was framed by a feast of Italian culinary delights, think samples of all that delicious Italian cuisine has to offer and a pre-party featuring live music with the band Soulganic and mozzarella afterparty testing's, twelve by Gigi and Italian songs by DJ Sveta. The Italian Film Festival will continue in various Australian locations until October 25.