Lake Como Film Festival Returns to Villa Erba with Andy Serkis

The seventh edition of the Lake Como Film Festival takes place at Villa Erba in Cernobbio, Italy, from July 26 to 28, 2019. The historic Visconti family estate hosts three days of film screenings, musical performances, and photo contests centered on landscape. The festival includes the Lake Como Film Nights at Villa Erba and the FilmLakers short film competition in Como. Notable guests include actor Andy Serkis, known for playing Gollum in The Lord of the Rings and a pioneer of motion capture technology. Serkis will attend on July 26 and 27 for a screening of his film Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle followed by a Q&A. Other participants: Caterina D'Amico, scientific director of the Luchino Visconti Archive, discusses Visconti's early career on July 26; Spanish filmmaker Carlos Casas presents his End trilogy (Cave) on July 26 and 27; Mexican electronic musician Murcof and Spanish video artist Manu Ros perform an audiovisual piece on the night of July 26. The festival highlights Como's cinematic heritage, dating back to 1898 when Lumière brothers footage was shot there. Villa Erba, where Visconti edited his film Ludwig in 1972, features a transparent congress pavilion designed by architect Mario Bellini, added in 1986.