The award for the Best Italian Film went to 'The Prince of Ostia Bronx' (Italy) by Raffaele Passerini. Dario, the Prince, and Maury, the Countess, are two actors rejected by the academic theater and cinema, so, they decide to transfer their imaginary stage on the gay nudist beach of Capocotta, near Ostia, Rome. In a world obsessed with reality shows, the Prince and the Countess are here, on this very beach, free to be the absolute protagonists of their improvised sketches, a magical and safe place, where life mixes with art and creativity becomes an antidote to an absent audience. Until one day a director comes, and the shooting of the film can begin. Failure becomes a parody that can make, anyone who wants to join, a Prince or a Countess, at least for a day.

 

The prize for the Best Feature Documentary Film went to 'Neighbors' (Croatia) by Tomislav Zaja. An observational documentary about people with mental illness who are leaving their institution after decades spent in isolation and once they get out trying to put their shattered lives back together.

 

Best Narrative Short Film award went to '023_GRETA_S' (Germany) by Annika Birgel. A young actress' audition quickly spirals out of control, turning into  an intimate and manipulative interrogation. As she fights to stand her ground, one pressing question will remain: how far will she go to get the role? 023_GRETA_S is a disquieting drama about the abuse of power in the film industry.

 

'Partner in life but not a wife' (United States) by Elie Gardner was awarded as Best Documentary Short Film. Ellen White dated Kenneth Wheeler for 43 years. He asked her to marry him countless times, but she never said yes and refused to move in with him. This is the story of how they met, fell in love and stayed in love for more than four decades.

 

The Best Animated Film award went to 'First Kiss' (United Kingdom) by Ali Aschman. One night at the beach. A reflection on the complex trauma of being a teenage girl.

 

'Interrogation' (United Kingdom) by Ivo Krankowski won Best Experimental Film. How to get to the bottom of things. An examination of the nature of truth in a tense interview situation.

 

A film festival focussing on the complexity of human relationships set in Shakespeare's city of love Verona, Italy. Does it get any better than this? The Verona International Film Festival presents films which revolve around relationships in their different forms whether spiritual, physical, interpersonal, familial, and humanitarian and can even touch upon relationships between nations and political parties. Films can tackle the complexity, ever-changing dynamics, adversity, and multi-faceted aspects pertaining to these different types of relationships.

 

The 2019 was yet another successful edition with a record number of attendees (completely sold out) and the amazing support by the Multisala Rivoli, VeronaSera and Il Nazionale.

 

See you all next year.

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