First Matera film festival 24-26/9

(ANSAmed) - MATERA, JULY 9 - From film sets of large International productions, such as the ''The Gospel According to St. Matthew'', "The Passion" and "No Time to Die" of the 007 series slated to be in cinemas starting in November, Italy's City of Stone will become a place to promote works and national and international initiatives through the first-ever edition of the Matera Film Festival.
    The festival, organised by the Making-Of association in collaboration with Camera con Vista and will be held September 24-26.
    The films will be screened in Cinema Guerrieri and open-air areas of the city.
    The first edition will have three sections: Mff Long for feature films, Mff Doc for documentaries, and Mff Short for short films.
    Awards will be given to the best first work by an Italian and a carer award and there will be sections out of competition as well as a masterclass with both Italian and foreign instructors.
    The jury is led by the directors Giancarlo Fontana and Giuseppe Stasi alongside honorary president Enzo Sisti, who has brought large international productions to Matera.
    Award winners will receive a small statue depicting Giuliana, the fossil of a whale that was found in 2006 on the banks of th San Giuliano dam.
    The design for the statue will be decided by a contest, entries for which are due by September 1. (ANSAmed).