Scorsese, MOMA boost Perugia

ROME -- Italy's Perugia Intl. Film Festival is shaping just as one high-profile event, getting forged a partnership with Martin Scorsese's The Film Foundation together with a detailed rapport with NY's Museum of recent Art, besides existing ties for the Hamptons Intl. Film Festival. Headed by Hamptons topper Karen Arikian, this new non-competitive fest, situated inside the Umbrian hillside college town, not definately not Rome, held a preview event in Perugia in the last weekend, before its first edition, set to use March 22-25. Perugia fest's soft launch composed spotlights on U.S. cinema verite pioneer D.A. Pennebaker and also the pointing partner, and wife, Chris Hegedus and also on digital digital photographer/filmmaker Bruce Weber, all whom were attending. MoMa's chief curator of film, Rajendra Roy, moderated conversations. A restored copy of Italo master Luchino Visconti's "Senso" opened up in the pre-inaugural, because of The Film Foundation, whose controlling director Jennifer Ahn mentioned this program is ideal for Perugia being forum for film upkeep discussion and education. Arikian mentioned the fest will focus on Perugia's student population, its artistic heritage and culinary tradition. It will concentrate on the rarely celebrated role of costume and production designers within the building of the film, and be in the city's famous Umbria Jazz festival. Fest is produced and operated by Santa Barbara-based Stratus Media Group, that's financing startup costs. William Morris Endeavor Entertainment posseses an advisory role. The goal is ensure it is lucrative in three years from corporate sponsorships and tie-inches, mentioned Perugia fest prexy Emanuele Rossi. Board people include Berlin topper Dieter Kosslick, EFM chief Beki Probst, and triple Oscar-winning costume and production designer James Acheson. Contact Nick Vivarelli at nvivarelli@gmail.com