02/05/2007

With 80 independent, socially motivated films, the TekFestival “Ai confini del mondo… dentro l’Occidente” (lit. “At the edges of the world…inside the West”) offers a journey to the West, to its infinite facets and contradictions. Held in Rome from May 4-10, the event will present documentaries and feature films, 20 of which are Italian premieres.

The recurring theme at this sixth edition is the model of Western development, dealt with from various points of view and under multiple forms. Social stratification, immigration, perennial states of war, the effects of globalisation, the relationship between the media and the public imagination are just some of the points of reflection put forth by the films in competition.

The festival, which will also host workshops, debates, exhibits, meetings and parties, is divided into eight thematic and visual sections: Special Events (an exceptional selection of Italian premieres), Panoramas (a collection of the best international and domestic films of recent years), Wop – European exhibit on immigration (this year dedicated to the films of the multiple award-winning Swiss artist Ursula Biemann), Phag off (the section that explores the borders of politics of the body, in the representations of gender and sexual orientation), Cinema by Women Section (an in-depth look at the human and professional paths of several female directors), the International Documentary Competition (inaugurated this year and featuring eight documentary premieres) and Italian Documentary Competition.

The many internationally renowned guests include German director Angelina Maccarone, 2004 Oscar nominee Sam Green and Tunisia’s Nejib Belkadhi.

(Translated from Italian)