The 64th edition of the Taormina FilmFest, just wrapped with Andrzej Jakimowski’s Once upon a Time in November winning the Taormina Arte Award for Best Film. Lorena Luciano and Filippo Piscopo’s It Will be Chaos took home the The Taormina Arte Award for Best Directing, while Debra Granik won The Taormina Arte Award for Best Screenplay for Leave No Trace. Nino Monteleone’s Be Kind received a Special Mention.
“The festival offered a week-long series of exceptional films which were attended by a very attentive audience who appreciated their selection, originality and depth,” said artistic co-director Silvia Bizio. The festival will return for its 65th edition in June 2019
2018 Winners of the Taormina FilmFest Awards
The Cirs Award of the Italian Social Reintegration Committee:
Road to the Lemon Grove by Dale Hildebrand – CANADA/ITALY – International Premiere
The Angelo D’Arrigo Award, presented by Laura Mancuso:
Dr. Pietro Bartolo, from Lampedusa
The Sebastiano Gesù Award, in memory of the Sicilian film critic who passed away earlier this month:
Luca Vullo Ccà Semu (30 mins) – ITALY
The Ferrari De Benedetti Award, presented by the journalist Paola Ferrari:
La Libertà non Deve Morire in Mare by Alfredo Lo Piero – ITALY – World Premiere
The Videobank Award, presented by Ginevra Chiechio:
Lello Analfino, leader of the historic Tinturia musical group
The Tauro d’Oro Award:
Maurizio Millenotti for the costumes of The Happy Prince
The Tauro d’Oro Lifetime Achievement Award:
Matthew Modine
The Tauro d’Oro Awards, for Best Director and Best Actor:
Rupert Everett for The Happy Prince
The Tauro d’Oro Award:
Richard Dreyfuss
The Tauro d’Oro Italian Excellence Award, for acting, directing and screenwriting:
Michele Placido
The Tauro d’Oro Best Independent Film Award:
Trauma is a Time Machine by Angelica Zollo – USA – European Premiere
The Taormina Arte Award for Best Producer:
Gianluca Curti
The Taormina Arte Award for Best Distributor:
SunFilm Group
Special Mention:
Be Kind by Nino Monteleone – ITALY – World Premiere
The Taormina Arte Award for Best Screenplay:
Leave No Trace by Debra Granik – USA – Italian Premiere
The Taormina Arte Award for Best Actor:
Alberto Mica in Transfert by Massimiliano Russo – ITALY – World Premiere
The Taormina Arte Award for Best Actress:
Leven Rambin in Tatterdemalion by Ramaa Mosley – USA – International Premiere
The Taormina Arte Award for Best Director:
It Will be Chaos by Filippo Piscopo and Lorena Luciana – USA/ITALY – International Premiere
The Taormina Arte Award for Best Film:
Once upon a Time in November by Andrzej Jakimowski – POLAND – International Premiere