Lino Banfi's 80th in Giffoni FF preview

(ANSA) - Rome, July 11 - Italian actor Lino Banfi celebrated his 80th birthday on Monday with the young patients of Bambin Gesù Children's Hospital on the Janiculum Hill in Rome as part of the official preview event for the 46th Giffoni Film Festival.
    The Festival will take place in Giffoni Valle Piana in Salerno from July 15-24.
    Monday's event was organised by Aura's Charity as part of the Giffoni Experience.
    Banfi met with Francesco Avallone, secretary general of the Bambino Gesù Foundation, hospital scientific director Bruno Dallapiccola and health director Massimiliano Raponi, Giffoni Experience Deputy Director Manlio Castagna, and Aura President Alfonsina Novellino. Festival Director Claudio Gubitosi said he was happy that Banfi chose to spend the day at the event.
    "This shows his great sensitivity as a man. I'm certain that it will be an unforgettable moment for the little patients at Bambin Gesù. We have to thank the hospital and its president Mariella Enoc for this opportunity," Gubitosi said.
    Enoc, who is also president of the Bambin Gesù Foundation, said the event reaffirms the partnership between Giffoni and Bambin Gesù.
    During the Giffoni Film Festival, one of the films will be awarded the "Courageous Lives Prize", which takes its name from the Bambin Gesù Foundation's national Jubilee Year of Mercy fund drive.
    A group of patients will also make up part of this year's festival jury.
    Gubitosi will present the festival programme on Monday evening at the new Marina d'Arechi tourist port in Salerno, with Festival President Piero Rinaldi and Giffoni Valle Piana Mayor Antonio Giuliano.