Los Angeles Italia Festival

Los Angeles Italia Festival Closes with a Brunch Honoring Italian Filmmakers – Two Went On to Win Oscars

To celebrate the ending of the seventh annual “Los Angeles Italia – Film, Fashion and Art Fest.” the Italian Consulate in Los Angeles held a luncheon Feb. 25 in honor of Italian filmmakers in L.A. for the Academy Awards.

Hosted by Italian Consul General Giuseppe Perrone and John Brooks, luncheon guests toasted producer Marina Cicogna; Enrico Casarosa, nominated for best animated short film, “La Luna;” and the husband and wife team of Dante Ferretti and Francesca Lo Schiavo, who captured the Oscars the next day for Best Achievement in Art Direction for Martin Scorcese’s Best Picture nominee, “Hugo.”

The “Hugo” Oscar marked the third win for Ferretti and Lo Schiavo, who declared the 2012 Oscar “for Martin and for Italy.” Ferretti has had ten nominations; and Lo Schiavo, eight. Also as part of the week-long festival, the couple received the L.A. Italia Excellence Award.

The festival included screenings, symposia and special tributes to legendary filmmakers Dario Argento and Sergio Corbucci. Cult filmmaker Argento is known for his horror films; Corbucci for his “spaghetti westerns.“

Impresario Pascal Vicedomini produced the festival, along with board chair Pupi Avanti; honorary chair Mark Canton, producer of “300” and “The Immortals;” and masters of ceremonies Gianluca Mech and Elisabetta Canalis of “Dancing with the Stars.” Co-chairs included “Crash” director Bobby Moresco, “Swept Away” director Lina Wertmuller, actor Franco Nero of the classic film “Camelot” and “Die Hard 2;” Leslie and Jack Kavanaugh, Shaul Kuba and Marina Cicogna.

Among those enjoying the festival were actors Joan Collins, Danny Glover of “Lethal Weapon,” Beau Dunn of “Melissa & Joey,” Kenny Doughty of “Titus,” Caroline Carver of “The Aryan Couple,” Daniela Bobadilla of “Awake,” Betsy Brandt of “Breaking Bad,” Joelle Carter of “Justified,” Mariah Bonner of “The Social Network,” Kasia Wolejnio of “The Mechanic,” Connor Weil of “Lies in Plain Sight,” Sofia Milos of “CSI: Miami” and Alex Meneses of “Selena;” actor/producer Jeff Garlin of “Curb Your Enthusiasm;” producers Ann Lopez and Cindy Cowan; artist, photographer and playwright Amanda Eliasch; choreographer Kenny Ortega; director John Landis; musician Pepino di Capri; fashion designer Renato Balestra; and jewelry designer Tarina Tarantino with her husband, company CEO Alfonso Campos.

Top photo: from left, Los Angeles Italia festival producer Pascal Vicedomini, Oscar winner Dante Ferretti, master of ceremonies Gianlucas Mech and Oscar winner Francesca Lo Schiavo; Center photo: artist, photographer and playwright Amanda Eliasch, left, with Joan Collins, right; bottom photo: Closing brunch for the Los Angeles Italia festival at the residence of the Italian Consul General (photos courtesy of the Los Angeles Italia festival)