Rome International Short Film Fest
On Wednesday 24th October, and with my presence, The New Life took part at the fourth edition of the Rome International Short Film Fest in Italy. This is a gigantic event with some sections online and others at cinemas with screenings taking place for ten consecutive days in October. However, the award ceremony happens on Monday 3rd December. The festival is open to everyone, whether emerging or established filmmakers, and it features categories for both, including prizes for Italian directors living abroad. The New Life is competing in this category. The screening took place at Morgana - Spazio Polivalente, a small but fantastic location just opposite the Vatican. Among others, I had the pleasure of meeting Renato Francisci, one of the festival's directors, who is really interested in exchanging line-ups of films with Australian festivals as a form of cultural exchange. The screening went pretty well and I had the chance to answer some questions from the audience.

I was fortunate to attend the Rome festival, which was pretty good, and what a location!... just opposite the Vatican at the other side of the river (it was indoors though). This festival is somewhat widespread across 2 months, and prizes are awarded in December!... It was good to know the director of the fest, who's interested in having a cultural exchange with Australian festivals. After the projection of The New Life there was an informal Q & A with members of the audience. I've got a very good response to the film from them.