Albuquerque - The New Mexico Italian Film Festival will open with three major attractions on Sunday, Feb. 10, 2008. An entire afternoon of Italian music, Italian film, Italian food and Italian wine, will be served up for 650 Festival patrons. The second annual Italian Film Festival is a benefit for the University of New Mexico Children’s Hospital.

The Gala Opening for the 2008 Festival will take place at the downtown KiMo Theater and move to the ballroom of the Embassy Suites Hotel. First up will be a special 1PM concert by the Albuquerque Philharmonic Orchestra. Orchestra Director, David Felberg,  says, “Our entire orchestra is so excited about playing Italian movie music for this special occasion. This is a bit different from our usual fare, but an opportunity that we really look forward to”. Felberg continues, “Playing for the benefit of the “UNM Children’s Hospital makes it even more special”.
 
Among the possible musical selections for the afternoon concert are Suite from The Godfather, Henry Mancini’s arrangement of Cinema Paradisio, and Morricone’s Theme from Marco Polo. The concert may also include Director Felberg’s own arrangement of music from Il Postino.
 
Following the concert will be the presentation of one of the 2008 Festival’s selected Italian films. The actual film title will be announced soon, when rights negotiation are completed with the Italian distributor of the movie.
 
The third event of the afternoon moves Festival patrons to the ballroom of the Embassy Suites Hotel for a Pranzo degli Spuntini. This food and wine extravaganza will be unique to Albuquerque and the first for the Italian Film Festival. Approximately twenty outstanding Italian restaurants, delis and bakeries will serve their favorite menu items. Patrons will enjoy everything from antipasto, to entrée specialties to desserts of cannoli and Italian cookies. Italian wine will be served, arranged through Southern Wine & Spirits.
 
Major sponsors for the second annual Italian Film Festival are Merrill Lynch, Whole Foods Market and First Community Bank. Borders Books and Music is also a sponsor and advance ticket sale provider. Major media sponsors are KRQE-TV13, KASA-TV2, Classical Music KHFM, the Premium Shopping Guide and Local I-Q, which will be distributing a special section prior to the Festival.
 
Tickets for this spectacular afternoon of music, film, food and wine will be only $40 and available to purchase over the Festival web site, by calling the Festival phone number (505)856-2988 and after Christmas at the three local Borders Books and Music stores. For more information on 8-day, 16 movie Italian Film Festival, contact Ronaldo Patrizio-Steiner at www.italianfilmfest.org or calling (505) 856-2988.