INTERVIEW: Procida Film Festival celebrates cinema on picturesque island
Photo: Procida is an island located in the Bay of Naples, Italy. Photo by John Soltes.
Procida is a tucked-away gem in the Bay of Naples, Italy, located between the larger Ischia and the mainland. With Mount Vesuvius visible on a clear day and the ferry boats bringing tourists and locals like, the island and its characteristically colorful houses offer a tranquil, inspiring slice of Italian life.
This reporter’s roots originate in Procida, and learning about its history of Catholic worship, neighborhoods, maritime influences and unique cultural offerings has been a wonderfully enriching exercise. Reconnecting with family has been an unparalleled highlight.
What was not mentioned in the guidebooks or immediately apparent upon stepping foot on the island is its rich cinematic history. Procida has been the scenic backdrop of many successful TV shows and films, including, most famously, The Talented Mr. Ripley, Il Postino, Morgan the Pirate and Purple Noon. Sophia Loren even filmed Francesca and Nunziata on the island (and a cousin played a part in the production).
To celebrate Procida’s unique contribution to cinema, the island hosts the annual Procida Film Festival, occurring these past few days at the La Suite Boutique Hotel. The four-day festival has many film screenings, parties and events centered on the cinematic entries and the island’s unique history.
Recently, Hollywood Soapbox exchanged emails with Luciana Borgogna, president of Meridian14, promoter of the Procida Film Festival; and Francesco Borgogna, president of the organization committee for the Procida Film Festival. Questions and answers have been slightly edited for style.
What can audiences expect at this year’s Procida Film Festival?
Every year the Procida Film Festival has a different theme related to the sea. This year the main topics will be around environment and social topics. This year the PFF has received more than 2,000 movies from 110 countries. The artists compete across three main categories: shorts, documentaries and Panorama Campania (movies produced by young authors and related to the Campania region).
Several Italian celebrities will attend the festival to present their movies or discuss specific topics, including actors, movie producers, directors, university professors, etc. Names are available on https://www.facebook.com/
What inspired you to create the Procida Film Festival?
The Procida Film Festival was founded by Fabrizio Borgogna. Fabrizio aimed to develop a festival where young movies enthusiasts, producers, movie script[writers] can discuss and promote new movie concepts and ideas. This project was launched in 2002 with some events related to movies produced on the islands: the movie tours.
In 2004, the event was renamed the Island of the Postman to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the movie Il Postino. Luis Bacalov attended the event.
In 2013, the event changed its set up and was called the Procida Film Festival with a contest of movies across different categories.
In 2014, the event received 400 movies.
Since 2015, La Suite Boutique Hotel has been the main location of the festival, with some events on other locations, but still on the island of Procida.
Why is Procida such a special location for film and TV productions?
Procida has been the location of multiple Hollywood and Italian movies, because of [its] natural beauty, its coast, its sea and picturesque and colorful houses. See https://www.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
This year’s Procida Film Festival runs June 20-23. Click here for more information and tickets.
