On Monday, September 5, 2022, Cultured Focus Magazine held its star-studded Cultured Focus Awards Ceremony and Diversity in Film Symposium at Hotel Danieli, Venice, Italy.
The Cultured Focus Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Pino Calabrese at the ceremony, after a distinguished and prolific career spanning fifty years in theatre, film, and television.
His illustrious career in the performing arts began in 1972 in the theater, working with professionals such as Massimo Troisi, Gigi Proietti, Enrico Montesano, and Pippo Delbono. In addition to cabaret and musical performances, Calabrese also produced dramatic and comedic productions with social and political content.
During the 2019 Sorrento Film Festival, he won an award for his film work on “Breaths” from 2018.
During the ceremony, Calabrese stated: “I would like to imagine a future in which each person could be represented on screen. Diversity is wealth, we should never forget it.”
Evgeny Afineevsky, who has already received nominations for Oscars and Emmys, was also recognized. The Excellence in Film award was given to this director and producer. In Afineevsky’s masterful documentaries, ordinary people are given a voice through their own stories. He explores the freedom and dignity of people in conflict through his highly respected films. In addition to these films, he created a film about Pope Francis on the life and teachings of “Francesco,” which was based on Pope Francis’ life and teachings. In the 79th Venice International Film Festival, his documentary “Freedom on Fire: Ukraine’s Fight for Freedom” will be screened. A journalist and lead actress from the film Natalia Nagorna was also present, who shared harrowing tales of the Ukrainian people’s struggles. Especially in today’s world, Afineevsky stressed the importance of hearing all voices.
Actress, screenwriter, director, and producer Daphne Di Cinto attended the Actors Studio Drama School and played the Duchess of Hastings in the Netflix series Bridgerton. It was an awe-inspiring experience for the audience to see her highly acclaimed short film, “IL MORO” (THE MOOR).
Cultured Focus recognized her as a Visionary in Film. At the Madrid International Film Festival 2022, the work was recognized for Best Director of a Foreign Short Film.
The Cultured Focus Innovation in Film Award was presented to Ainslee Alem Robson. The New Images Festival in Paris had already awarded Robson the Special Jury Prize for Ferenj: A Graphic Memoir in VR, among other awards. The 79th Venice International Film Festival featured her film KANDAKA. In the film, a female African ruler leads her people into war with the Romans. The combination of her philosophical and new media backgrounds lends a critical perspective to her emancipatory narratives. Using film and emerging technologies in digital art to convey her message, she constructs worlds focusing on decolonization narratives that deconstruct identity, perception, hierarchy, and colonial legacies.
Artist and professor Justin Randolph Thompson spoke about Black History Month Florence as its co-founder and director. As well as enhancing black history narratives through education, he discussed initiatives aimed at enhancing black history narratives.
A talented panel of industry leaders were flawlessly moderated by award-winning actress and writer Francesca Van Horne during the Cultured Focus Symposium on Diversity in Film.
Ekaterina Shevliakova led the meeting, and Best Color Makeup in Italy performed her makeup.
Among the other celebrities at the event were Alberto Boubakar Malanchino, Andrea Melis, Lorenzo Tronconi, Loretta Grace, Ira Fronten, Aida Diouf, Judith Saint Jermain, Cecilia De Pasquale, and Charity Dago. Film producer Taylor Re Lynn hosted the event.
Providing both American and global arts and culture news, Cultured Focus is an entertainment news magazine. A-list celebrities, corporate leaders, and countless others who make a positive impact in the world are featured in the magazine. It was founded in 2016 and showcases top talent from all corners of the globe.
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