Film festival in Taormina is one of the oldest in Italy. Each year at the end of June film stars from all over the world come to the Bohemia resort in the east part of Sicily. The most famous directors of Hollywood brought their best films to the Taormina festival. Such film stars as Elizabeth Tailor, Gregory Peck, Marlon Brando and Sophie Loren were the guests of this festival at different time. The Grand Prize of the festival is Golden Taurus. In 2008 it was awarded to the Egyptian director Ibrahim El Batu for his film “The Eye of the Sun”.
Taormina film festival is not so famous as Berlin film festival or Cannes film festival. But still many interesting events occur there. Directors from different countries of the world show their films, the best and the most famous directors of the world cinematography organize their master classes.
Taormina film festival can be called unique, because a lot of the films are shown in the largest amphitheatre, which was built by the ancient Greeks and which is the most interesting place of the city. The opening ceremony of the festival is usually held in the building of Palazzo del Congresso.
Not so long ago a famous American critic Deborah Young became the president of the festival. Thanks to her a lot of American directors started to take part in this festival. The most important fact is that European cinematography is represented as a piece of art and not only as an entertainment. During the festival the Days of Honorary Guests are held, during which different countries show their best films. In 2008 the honorary guests of the festival were Turkey and Egypt.
Retrospective shows of the greatest world film directors are held in Taormina regularly. There is also a special contest for the films, which were shot on Sicily.
The site of the festival is https://www.taorminafilmfest.it
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