The Italian Film, Fashion and Food Fest arrives in Hollywood for the first time, in grand style beginning Sunday, February 26th and continuing through Saturday, March 4th.

Classic and contemporary Italian cinema will be screened daily at the legendary Mann's Chinese 6 Theatres, located in the heart of Hollywood. The festival will celebrate the art of filmmaking in general with emphasis on the proud heritage of Italian cinema in particular.


This wonderful festival of Italian film, fashion and food is promoted by the Capri in the World Institute, the Lazio Region of Italy and Rai Trade.

Los Angeles, Italia 2006 is honored to work in collaboration with the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF), the University of Southern California School of Cinema - Television, the CIM Group (owners of the Hollywood & Highland Center), and the Italian Department for Foreign Trade in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles, Italia 2006 is represented by the public relations giant Rogers & Cowan in Los Angeles, California.

Los Angeles, Italia 2006 hosts an exciting schedule of events highlighting the artistic excellence and refined cultural heritage of the Italian peninsula – all happening in the week leading up to The Academy Awards® Ceremony at the Kodak Theatre – also located in the Hollywood & Highland Center.

Special screenings of Italian contemporary and cult classics, retrospectives of Italy’s most famous film directors, encounters with leading figures in the film and television industry, conferences with students at the USC School of Cinema-Television, artistic performances, and a costume and photographic exhibition open to the public are just some of the highlights of this week – long cultural festival.

A VIP lounge with gourmet food and wine tastings highlighting the Lazio Region of Italy will be located in Trastevere Restaurant in the Hollywood & Highland Center. Prizes awarded to the Friends of Italian Arts & Entertainment and finally, to end the festival, a Gala dinner hosted by NIAF (The National Italian American Foundation) at the Regent Beverly Wilshire (Friday, March 3rd), co-chaired by Oscar-winning actor Ernst Borgnine and legendary former president of the MPAA, Jack Valenti.

Programming will include special tributes to Cristina Comencini, whose film "Don’t tell" is Italy's official candidate for the 2006 Academy Awards® , as well as Lina Wertmuller and Gabriele Muccino, two successful filmmakers who have already conquered Hollywood and the American public with films such as Wertmuller's "Seven Beauties" and "Swept Away" and Muccino's "The Last Kiss". Actor Will Smith has been so favorably impressed by Muccino's work that he has called upon the director to direct his latest film, "The Pursuit of Happiness", which will hit theatres on December 16th, 2006.
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