Jonas Carpignano’s Mediterranea was voted by the audience, the winner of the NICE City of Florence Award at the New Italian Cinema, presented by the San Francisco Film Society in partnership with the New Italian Cinema Events of Florence, Italy; the Italian Cultural Institute of San Francisco; and the Consulate General of Italy, San Francisco.

“This is a real honor and I am happy that the film resonated so much with the audience in San Francisco,” said Carpignano. “I’m looking forward to sharing it in Florence. And of course, thanks so much to the San Francisco Film Society for their support of this film throughout its development.”

Director/Regia: Jonas Carpignano
Cast: Koudous Seihon, Alassane Sy, Adam Gnene, Vincenzina Siciliano, Ernest Zire, Mary Elisabeth Innocence, Mimma Papasergio, Annalisa Pagano, Joy Odundia, Davide Schipilliti, Zakaria Kbiri, Norina Ventre, Serigne “Chico” Baity Kane, Annalisa Spirli, Francesco Papasergio

Ayiva (Koudous Seihon) left his native Burkina Faso in search of a job that would allow him to provide for the needs of his daughter and sister. Taking advantage of his position in an organization smuggling with immigrants, he finds a way to leave behind the African continent. Ayiva tries to adapt to his new life in Italy, but the tension in the local community continues to grow and things get more dangerous for him. Determined not to give up, he tries to resist, but at a price…

The NICE City of Florence Award was decided by audience ballots from San Francisco screenings of films in competition. The festival also gave special recognition to Matteo Bini and Giorgio Pasotti’s I, Harlequin, to acknowledge the film’s extraordinary audience support and immense cultural value.

This year’s New Italian Cinema opened on November 11 with sold-out screenings of the Taviani brothers’ Wondrous Boccaccio and Paolo Sorrentino’s Youth, and closed on Sunday with Nanni Moretti’s Mia Madre.  Notable filmmaker appearances included Matteo Bini, co-director of I, Harlequin (Io, Arlecchino); Marco Pontecorvo, director of Partly Cloudy with Sunny Spells (Tempo instabile con probabili schiarite); and Alessia Scarso, director of Italo (Italo barocco).