L'Albergo della Regina Isabella, Ischia

Hosted at the beautiful Italian L'Albergo Regina della Isabella Spa Resort, the Ischia Film and Music Global Fest is a truely special event for some of the leading figures of the global film and music industry. This year, chaired by Paul Haggis the week-long festival from 9-16th August, offered a cinematic feast, paying tribute to many of the greatest filmmakers, musicians and scriptwriters around the world. To name a few, this year awards were recieved by; Oliver Stone, Sir Ben Kingsley, Michael Radcliffe, Bobby Morresco, Andrea Bocelli, Sheryl Crow and Hillary Swank.

The itinerary for the festival includes insightful seminars on the film and music industry, for example the world script market; where films, such as 300 (2006), Babel (2006) and Crash (2004) were discussed by Bobby Morresco, Mark Canton and Terry Guilliam . They offered their advice  to upcoming filmmakers, stating the importance of perseverance and keeping the concepts for films simple so the inner subtilties can flow naturally. Bobby Morresco described the process of asking yourself a question when thinking of an idea such as, 'What happens when strangers lives collide?' as the starting point for Crash.

Throughout the week, various films are shown  at different locations around the island. However, the scheduled night-time screenings of the festival are projected on the cliff face outside the hotel. Here guests can watch the films surrounded by lapping waves and a starlit sky. Such films screened this year included a variety of documentary, short films and feature films; including David Lynch, Inland Empire (USA) Alfonso Curaròn The Possibility of Hope (Mex) and a selection of other films from talented directors from around the globe.   

Photograph of the outdoor screenings at L'Albergo Regina della Isabella

After the screenings, dinner and entertainment was provided at a variety of beautiful locations around the island this courtesy of  the hotel and festival sponsors [primarily Caffe Kimbo and Fiuggi]. This gave guests of the festival an excellent opportunity to experience the beauties of the island, Ischia. Each evening dinner is followed by an award ceremony to celebrate filmmakers, actors and musicians individual contribution to cinema.

This festival is still relatively modest in size compared to say Cannes, however there is a charm about this intimate atmosphere that keeps the focus purely on cinema; and of course enjoying the beautiful Italian climate, Ischia's beautiful volcanic scenery and the Regina della Isabella's superb hospitality. The week allows filmmakers to relax in the company of other members of the global scene and discuss their ideas and projects. Many guests make use of the hotel's Spa during their stay. The Regina della Isabella is situated on a natural volcanic spring and offers some of the best thermal treatments in the world. With the added bonus of being away from pressures of Hollywood, it is my opinion that Ischia is the filmmakers festival that replenishes the creative soul.

LL Hodgson. September 2007.