EDWARD BERGER TO RECEIVE THE ‘LA, ITALIA DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR’ AWARD
LOS ANGELES, February 20 – German director Edward Berger, nominated for 8 Oscars with the film Conclave, following his recent BAFTA win, will receive the “Best Director of 2025” award on Monday, February 24, at the Chinese Theatre in Hollywood during the 20th edition of the Los Angeles, Italia Festival. This traditional Italian event in the USA, held on the eve of the Academy Awards, is promoted with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Intesa Sanpaolo, with the patronage of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Enterprises, the Ministry of Tourism, and the participation of ENIT, Riflessi, Givova, and Scabec.
Actor Sergio Castellitto, who plays the ruthless Cardinal Goffredo Tedesco in Conclave, will present the European director with the award and will, in turn, receive the ‘LA Italia Excellence Award’ from him.
“Honoring Berger and his immense talent, confirmed with Conclave after conquering Hollywood in 2023 with All Quiet on the Western Front,” says Pascal Vicedomini, founder and producer of LA, ITALIA, who adds, “The sensitivity he showed in imagining a behind-the-scenes look at the Vatican, full of surprises, during the election of a new Pope, is deserving of every praise, and we are all certain it will bring him more significant achievements.”
“We are delighted to also honor Sergio Castellitto, a multifaceted and complete talent, a giant of Italian cinema worldwide who has been able to solidify his artistic career in films that are part of cinema history, often portraying characters of great moral, civil, and historical value,” declares Raffaella de Laurentiis, Honorary President of Los Angeles, Italia, who has worked since 2006 to promote Italian talent overseas during the hottest week of the global showbiz scene.
The names of Edward Berger and Sergio Castellitto join the already impressive roster of LA, Italia 2025, which also includes director Pupi Avati, who will present the US premiere of The American Backyard, actress Isabella Rossellini with a retrospective titled “Roberto, Ingrid, and… Isabella: The Beautiful Story of the Rossellinis,” and many other talents of contemporary Italian cinema, presenting 30 films in US premieres.
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