Documentary courses kick off in Palermo
Sicily is set to become a new point of reference for training documentary directors. From January, 2009 the regional headquarters of the National Film School will offer new spaces just for this purpose, inaugurated recently at the Cantieri culturali della Zisa of Palermo.
The project, made possible by an allocation of €9m of European funds given to the Region of Sicily for the renovation of various structures, also includes a new, 484-seat cinema, workshops and offices.
From December 10-14, the Cantieri culturali della Zisa hosted the third edition of the General State of the Documentary, organized by the Sicilia Film Commission in collaboration with Doc/It. The event included discussions, book presentations and screenings, many of which were premieres.
Among the latter was a 25-minute, working copy of Sicilia, the first documentary by John Turturro (co-directed with Roman Paska), produced by Giuliana Del Punta and Bruno Restuccia of Esperia Film. The journey of the Brooklyn-born actor-director through his ancestral land has piqued the interests of Berlinale selectors.
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