March 29, 2024 #1 Local News, Information and Event Source for the Century City/Westwood areas.

Cinema Italian Style’s Student Short Contest

By Sam Catanzaro

Cinema Italian Style, the five-day film festival bringing the best of contemporary Italian filmmaking to Santa Monica, is putting on a short film contest for film students from Santa Monica College, USC, Chapman University and the New York Film Academy Los Angeles. The winner will get a 4-day trip to Rome (roundtrip flight and hotel accommodation), a private guided tour of the Luce-Cinecittà Studio and a Plaque of Recognition of Excellence.

These shorts, all under five minutes, are inspired by, or pay homage to, classic Italian cinema. Century City Westwood News talked with three of the finalists to hear about their shorts and passion for filmmaking.

“Chef-D’Oeuvre Film D’Art,” directed by Chris Armienti (University of Southern California USC School of Cinematic Arts)

This short film, directed by Chris Armienti, a student at the USC School of Cinematic Arts, is described as a parody of French new wave cinema but done with an Italian sense of comedy.

“The only thing I really want the audience to take away from the movie is that life is too short to be so serious all the time. It’s okay to have some fun and laugh once in a while,” Armienti said.

Armienti became interested in filmmaking as a 14-year-old when given a digital camera by his father and was soon posting comedy skits on YouTube.

“It was a lot of fun, and it was the first initial seed that planted the idea that maybe one day I would want to pursue a career in entertainment,” Armeneti said, adding that after he saw “The Godfather” and discussed the film with his father,  “I wanted to learn everything more that I could about my Italian heritage. Learning more about my family history brought a real bonding experience for me and my dad.”

Armienti’s short film “Chef-D’Oeuvre Film D’Art” will be screened on Thursday, November 15  preceding  “There’s No Place Like Home.”

“Departure,” directed by Sungho Chun, (New York Film Academy)

In this film, directed by Sungho Chun, who moved to the United States after serving in the Korean military, a man is preparing to commit suicide, but a woman comes along and changes his fate. The short is inspired by “The Dreamers” by Bernardo Bertolucci, which Chun says left him pondering the nature of the world.

“At the end of “The Dreamers”, why did Isabelle try to commit suicide?” Chun asks. “Because she rejected the reality and ideals of our world. In my film, The Man also rejects the truth of the world. Actually, this is a problem that all humans face, but I don’t want them to give up their lives. “The Dreamers” left me pondering ‘what exactly is a dream, and who is a dreamer’?”

Chun’s short film “Departure” will be screened on Thursday, November 15  preceding “The Stolen Caravaggio.”

“Il breakup” directed by Ericka de Alexander

(University of Southern California USC School of Cinematic Arts)

“Il breakup” directed by Ericka de Alexander from the USC School of Cinematic Arts, pays homage to Roberto Benigni’s “Life is Beautiful.”

“We have the younger version of Guido and Dora in a more modern era, and on their anniversary, Dora decides to give Guido a ‘breakup letter.’ Heartbroken, Guido, the romantic and lovable character that we all love and care for, decides to give love another chance,” de Alexander  said. “At the end of the day, we cannot decide who we fall in love with.”

“Il breakup” will be screened on Saturday, November 17  preceding “Like a Cat on a Highway”

Also to be presented is the short film “La Finta Famiglia” directed by Roee Myzel of the University of Southern California USC School of Cinematic Arts. The screening will take place on Friday, November 16 preceding “Boys Cry.”

For a full list of screenings and to purchase tickets visit https://bit.ly/2JQyrG7.

Related Posts

Cantonese Dim Sum Master Chef Tony Opens Hollywood Dim Sum at TCL Chinese Theatre

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Experience Exquisite Dim Sum Creations in the Heart of Hollywood 97 years after its founding, the TCL Chinese Theatre will...

Fleurs et Sel Bakery Opens Storefront in West Adams, Welcomes Customers Three Days a Week

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Indulge in Freshly Baked Cookies at the New West Adams Location Fleurs et Sel Bakery, known for its delectable cookies...

Easter Specials Guide: Brunch Spots, Desserts, and More in West Los Angeles

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Discover the Best Easter Eats and Treats in LA for Your Holiday Celebration Easter is almost here, so here are...

(Video) Director Adam Wingard Talks About His Influences While Making GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Director Adam Wingard Talks About His Influences While Making GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE at the Beyond Fest Screening...

World Famous Director Caught in Traffic During Raid on Sean Combs Estate

March 26, 2024

March 26, 2024

Exclusive Neighborhood Faces Disturbing Scene and Street Blockage World-renowned director Ridley Scott found himself caught in the midst of traffic...

Attorney for Sean “Diddy” Combs Denounces Investigation as “Witch Hunt”

March 26, 2024

March 26, 2024

Legal Representative Criticizes Probe Amid Federal Sex Trafficking Inquiry An attorney representing Sean “Diddy” Combs criticized the investigation into the...

Historic Union Contract Ratified by Thousands of Hotel Workers At 34 Hotels

March 26, 2024

March 26, 2024

UNITE HERE Local 11 Negotiates Agreement Ensuring Wage Increases  Hotel workers, who spearheaded the largest hotel strike in modern U.S....

Human Rights Campaign’s Los Angeles Dinner Celebrates LGBTQ+ Advocacy and Unity

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

Notable Figures Gathered to Champion LGBTQ+ Rights and Combat Discrimination By Aneesha Pappy  The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s...

California Bars and Nightclubs Must Offer Drug Testing Devices Starting July 1

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

New Law Mandates License Holders to Provide Drug Testing Kits to Patrons Beginning July 1, establishments with Type 48 licenses...

Opinion: West Los Angeles Needs to Care about Veteran Homelessness

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

By Kelly Kravchuk  Veteran homelessness is a public health concern that impacts my West Los Angeles community. As a USC...

Federal Agents Raid Property Linked to Music Mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs In Holmby Hills

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

Authorities Conduct Searches in Los Angeles as Part of Ongoing Sex Trafficking Probe Federal agents from the Department of Homeland...

Biden Signs Government Funding Bill with Ban on Pride Flags at Embassies

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

White House Vows Repeal Amid Controversy Over LGBTQ Provision President Biden signed a huge government funding package on Saturday, which...

City of Los Angeles Pays Nearly Half a Billion in Liability Claims Over Four Years

March 24, 2024

March 24, 2024

LA Controller’s Report Reveals Significant Payouts from General Fund LA City Controller Kenneth Mejia has continued to audit the City...

Infamous Beverly Hills Mansion Where Menéndez Brothers Committed Murders Sells for $17 Million

March 24, 2024

March 24, 2024

Notorious Property Closes Deal Exactly 28 Years After Conviction A mansion in Beverly Hills, California, notorious for being the site...

Former Beverly Hills Therapist Indicted for Alleged Distribution of Child Sexual Abuse Material

March 24, 2024

March 24, 2024

Suspect Faces Federal Charges Following Investigation into Online Activity A former licensed marriage and family therapist based in Beverly Hills...