A full house at the Maison de La Grivola, in Cogne, watched with curiosity and attention the opening ceremony of the 24th edition of the Gran Paradiso Film Festival, which was live streamed in two nearby local venues and on the web.
During the ceremony, attended by Festival partners and several high-ranking regional officials, the theme of this year’s edition – “Building from memory” – was unveiled alongside the extensive programme of events that will take place in the municipalities of Gran Paradiso area from 28 July to 13 August.
The ceremony was presented by the Festival’s Artistic Director, Luisa Vuillermoz, and by the quick-witted comedian, Dario Vergassola, who entertained the public and the authorities with his signature dry humour.
Festival partners underlined the importance of the event for the Gran Paradiso area, and drew attention to the growing environmental sustainability awareness among the wider public. Vergassola commented: “The Festival is all about quality: the official selection includes outstanding documentaries. Never before has the need for nature, as well as the importance of protecting the planet, been so strongly felt. The Festival is clearly dear to its audience, and partners and stakeholders are justly proud of it”.
Registration to join the Festival jury is still open. In a clear sign of significant growth from past editions, 375 entries have been registered to date.
The Gran Paradiso Film Festival is a Fondation Grand Paradis project, realised within the framework of the PACTA Project Promouvoir l’Action Culturelle en Territoire Alpin (Interreg V-A Italy-France ALCOTRA 2014-2020); in collaboration with: the Department of Environment, Transport and Sustainable Mobility of the Autonomous Region of the Aosta Valley; with the support of: the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Activities and Tourism, the Department of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, Sport and Commerce of the Autonomous Region of the Aosta Valley, The Regional Council of Aosta Valley, Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Torino, Gran Paradiso National Park, Compagnia Valdostana delle Acque; Municipality of Cogne; with the participation of: Federparchi, Italian Alpine Club; Fondazione Comunitaria della Valle d’Aosta, the Alpine Convention; with the patronage of: Municipality of Aymavilles, Municipality of Introd, Municipality of Rhêmes-Notre-Dame, Municipality of Rhêmes-Saint-Georges, Municipality of Valsavarenche, Municipality of Villeneuve and Ente Progetto Natura; technical sponsorship – Montura.
