EVVIVA! The Ballarat Italian Film Festival is back this winter, with movies on screen for young and old.<\/p>\n
An initiative of the Ballarat Italian Association in partnership with Showbiz Cinemas, BIFF 2023 will present four Italian films, including one for kids, on Friday 11 and Saturday 12 August.<\/p>\n
BIA president Frank Cotronea said the showcase is open to everyone, with all movies subtitled in English for those who don\u2019t speak Italian, but the main aim is to give back to association members, and the wider community.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s about embracing the Italian language and culture, and what we\u2019ve got to offer,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve been running film festivals for about 15 years now, and we\u2019ve developed a great working relationship with Showbiz in recent years.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nostalgia, L’Arminuta, and Belli Ciao are set to be screened, alongside children\u2019s film, La Befana Vien Di Notte or The Legend of the Christmas Witch.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re aiming to engage both parents and children,\u201d Mr Cotronea said. \u201cWe want to encourage young kids to get involved and learn the language.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome children receive private Italian language tutoring at the moment, but we\u2019re planning to start some Italian children\u2019s language classes in term four.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Cotronea said the association always works to promote Italian culture and language, and to boost membership, but a big focus in 2023 is to attract more young families.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe older generation who are long-time or founding members are not always going to be around, so we\u2019re focusing on the membership of young families, because if we\u2019re not careful, we won\u2019t have an association,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The association has about 200 members and meets formally every couple of months for functions and celebrations.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have a lot of fun,\u201d Mr Cotronea said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
EVVIVA! The Ballarat Italian Film Festival is back this winter, with movies on screen for young and old. An initiative of the Ballarat Italian Association in partnership with Showbiz Cinemas, BIFF 2023 will present four Italian films, including one for kids, on Friday 11 and Saturday 12 August. BIA president Frank Cotronea said the showcase […]<\/p>\n