12th Rome Film Fest Unveils Star-Studded Program and NYsferatu Premiere

The 12th edition of the Festa del Cinema di Roma, despite significant budget cuts, has announced an enticing program under artistic director Antonio Monda. The festival, scheduled for October 2017, will feature high-profile 'incontri ravvicinati' with David Lynch, Ian McKellen, Xavier Dolan, Chuck Palahniuk, and Vanessa Redgrave. The official selection will include about 35 feature films, with the full lineup announced on October 10. Notable films include Steven Soderbergh's heist comedy 'Logan Lucky' starring Channing Tatum, Adam Driver, and Daniel Craig, and Andrea Mastrovito's animated feature 'NYsferatu,' a 60-minute reimagining of F.W. Murnau's 1922 classic, funded through crowdfunding. The festival also introduces a retrospective curated by Mario Sesti titled 'La scuola italiana,' focusing on lesser-known Italian cinema. Restored films in collaboration with Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia and Istituto Luce Cinecittà include Marco Ferreri's 'Dillinger è morto,' Mario Mattoli's 'Miseria e nobiltà,' and Giuliano Montaldo's 'Sacco e Vanzetti.' Film critics A.O. Scott (The New York Times) and Justin Chang (Los Angeles Times) will participate in discussions on the role of criticism.