Photo: John Viola (President of NIAF), Robert Davi, Tony Renis, Franco Nero, Jimmy Kimmel, Pascal Vicedomini, Joann Iacono, Antonio Verde (Consul General of Italy in LA) and James Kimmel.
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HOLLYWOOD, CA, February 3, 2015 – Jimmy Kimmel, host and executive producer of the Emmy-winning “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” ABC’s longest-running late-night talk show, will be honored with the Los Angeles, Italia – Film, Fashion and Art Fest’s ‘Award of Excellence,’ and Marco Pontecorvo’s latest movie, “Partly Cloudy (With Sunny Spells)” starring John Turturro and Luca Zingaretti, will have its world premiere showing as part of the Festival’s opening night festivities on February 15th. The announcements were made here today by Festival founder and producer Pascal Vicedomini.
The 10th annual L.A., Italia Fest runs February 15th to February 21st at the TLC Chinese 6 Theatres in the famed Hollywood & Highland complex,with a star-studded array of Italian, Italian-American and international artists scheduled to participate in the weeklong celebration showcasing the best of Italian culture. This year’s festival is dedicated to Frank Sinatra in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of his birth.
The L.A., Italia ‘Excellence Award,’ which Kimmel will receive, is presented to Italian-Americans who have made an outstanding contribution to the world of entertainment. Now in its twelfth season, “Jimmy Kimmel Live” is recognized for presenting some of the most popular comedy bits in late night television and features a diverse lineup of guests including actors, musicians, athletes, comedians, authors, politicians, newsmakers and the occasional random weirdo.
“There is no one more deserving to receive our ‘Excellence Award’ than Jimmy Kimmel,” said Vicedomini. ” His unique, cutting style brilliantly comments upon the contemporary scene as he skewers both pop culture and breaking news on a nightly basis through his monologues and video montages. He is truly an Italian-American treasure.”
“We are eager to bring attention to Pontecorvo Jr. and his latest film,” continued Vicedomini. “He is one of Italy’s most talented contemporary filmmakers, and thanks to his courage and determination has been able to penetrate Hollywood’s entertainment industry.”
After directing the acclaimed “Pa-ra-da” (launched at L.A., Italia 2009) and TV dramas like “Alladin and Sherazade” and “L’oro di Scampia,” the 48th years old son of the legendary director Gillo Pontecorvo (Oscar nominated for the “The Battle of Algiers”) helmed “Partly Cloudy (With Sunny Spells),” a bitter comedy on the pressing issue of employment, featuring the Italian-American superstar John Turturro, and one of Italy’s most appreciated performers, Luca Zingaretti. The film mirrors today’s Italy, with all its virtues and faults. The story, set in a sofa manufacturing company in the Italian region of Marche, revolves around two friends whose lives are turned upside down by an incredible discovery. The artistic relationship between Turturro and Pontecorvo – the latter being one of the most sought-after cinematographers in Italy and overseas (he worked on the series’ “Games of Thrones” and “Rome”) – began on the set of Francesco Rosi’s “The Truce”, and continued in “Passione,” a tribute-movie to the Neapolitan songs, and in the recent “Fading Gigolo,” both for director Turturro.
Oscar-winning writer Bobby Moresco (“Crash”) is chairing this year’s festival with Lady Monika Bakardi as its president and Mark Canton serving as chairman of the Honorary Board which includes Italian producer Marina Cicogna, director Lina Wertmuller, actor Franco Nero, Italian music legend Tony Renis, and Valerio Massimo Manfredi.
Acknowledged by the media as one of the most exciting Italian film events in the world, since 2006, L.A., Italia has been presented under the auspices of the Capri in the World Institute with the support of MIBACT (DG Cinema), Italian Trade Commission, ANICA and with the sponsorship of Bank of the West, the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF), Enigma GB, and Ambi Pictures. Sister film festivals including Capri, Hollywood – The International Film Film Festival in December and the Ischia Global Film & Music Festival in July are also under the domain of Vicedomini.
Additional L.A., Italia 2015 supporters include the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of the Economic Development and the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. It is organized with the participation of the Italian Consulate General, the Italian Trade Commission and the Los Angeles Italian Culture Institute, Cinecittà Studios, Luce Cinecittà, and Italian Independent Productions.
ACCORDING TO TODAY’s THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER
Jimmy Kimmel Slated for L.A. Italia’s Festival Honor
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/jimmy-kimmel-slated-la-italia-769744
Jimmy Kimmel To Be Feted By Los Angeles-Italia Film Fashion and Art Festival
Jimmy Kimmel
Biography
Jimmy Kimmel serves as host and executive producer of the Emmy-winning “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” ABC’s longest-running late-night talk show. Now in its twelfth season, “JKL” produces the most popular comedy bits in late night and features a diverse lineup of guests including actors, musicians, athletes, comedians, authors, politicians, newsmakers and the occasional random weirdo. Kimmel’s monologue skewers pop culture and up-to-the minute news. “JKL” airs weeknights at 11:35/10:35 CT, broadcasting from Disney’s El Capitan Entertainment Center in Hollywood.
In addition to the nightly show, annual specials like “Jimmy Kimmel Live: After The Oscars” and “Jimmy Kimmel Live: Game Night” are well-known for their all-star comedy videos. Videos including “I’m F**king Matt Damon”, “I’m F**king Ben Affleck,” “The Handsome Men’s Club,” “Movie: The Movie” and “Movie: The Movie, 2V,” have become hugely popular on television and online.
In January 2013, Kimmel was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 2012, he hosted the Primetime Emmy Awards and the annual White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner in Washington, D.C.
After 12 years in morning radio, Kimmel got his start in television as co-host of “Win Ben Stein’s Money” on Comedy Central, for which he won an Emmy for Best Game Show Host in 1999. Kimmel co-hosted, co-created and executive produced 100 episodes of “The Man Show” for Comedy Central. Kimmel served for four seasons as on-air prognosticator for “Fox NFL Sunday,” co-created, executive-produced, and co-starred in “Crank Yankers” for Comedy Central/MTV, and co-created and executive-produced “The Andy Milonakis Show” for MTV and MTV2.
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