A large coloured hot air balloon, e-mountain bikes and electric cars, tricycles and segways: these are the unusual guests which accompanied the official launch of the 18th edition of the Gran Paradiso Film Festival on Monday 25 August.
The Festival's first event registered the marked success of the range of sustainable vehicles, available thanks to the project ITER – Imaginez un Transport Efficace et Responsable, which were soon fully booked; in the afternoon a crowd attended the performance by Teatro Instabile di Aosta and the music parade with the same electric vehicles.
The welcome address of the authorities at Maison de Cogne Gérard-Dayné featured the Major of Cogne, Franco Allera, the President of the Gran Paradiso National Park, Italo Cerise, the President of Federparchi, Giampiero Sammuri, the President of Fondation Grand Paradis, Vittorio Anglesio, the Regional Ministers of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Renzo Testolin, and the Regional Minister of Tourism, Sport, Commerce and Transport, Aurelio Marguerettaz, and the Regional Counsellor, Jean-Pierre Guichardaz; all representatives of public bodies which supported the Festival to this important landmark, its 30th birthday.
The Festival Artistic Directors, Gabriele Caccialanza and Luisa Vuillermoz, shared the rich program with the audience, mentioning the numerous Italian premieres and international guests.
“The Festival succeeds in combining two extraordinary traits: a certain ease, which is a natural consequence of any friendship, a common sensitivity, a willingness to share and be involved; as well as a high-profile, high-quality character, considering that the Festival has seen the participation of national and international professionals and intellectuals”, argued the Regional Minister of Tourism, Sport, Commerce and Transport, Aurelio Marguerettaz.
The guest of honour, the Life-long Member of the Italian Senate, Elena Cattaneo, declared:
“This is a unique event since it reminds us of the luck we all have, of being able to walk every day on the friendly planet Earth. The Festival is the result of a considerable effort made by individuals who make it enjoyable to all audiences, just like the Park was bequathed to us by those who came before us, and helped safeguard it”.
The Senator was the protagonist of the evening conference “Science today: an opportunity”, dedicated to the importance of scientific research, in accord with the Festival main theme, “Nature is life”.
The screening of the first documentaries for the International Competition, The backyard jungle - spring awakening and Shark Girl followed the conference. A varied and large audience attended - both venues in Cogne were sold out; the Jury of the audience counting more than 100 members, who will declare the winner of the International Competition on Saturday 30 August.
For the detailed Festival program please consult the catalogue.