The Ischia Film Festival Returns – Here’s How To Visit In Style
Earlier this year we broke the story that the venerable Cannes Film Festival, along with other major festivals (SXSW, Sundance, Venice, Aspen, et al) were to be postponed or cancelled in favour of a virtual replacement or 2021 postponement.
Today, we can happily announce that the first festival of the film circuit is officially back in business. The Ischia Film Festival is once again operating – running from the 27th of July until the 4th of August. The news comes as a welcome sign that Italy, as with most parts of Europe, are finally slowly recovering from the pains of the pandemic shutdown.
Although small, this island film festival is famous for dripping in dolce-vita glamour, attracting huge stars and filmmakers alike from all over the world.
The attraction is easy to understand; ever since the 1950’s its dramatic cliffs, bougainvillea and charming fishing villages have enamoured the jet set and the cinema world in equal measure. To this day – the history of both of these rarefied worlds is carved into the ambience and psyche of the island.
Socialite publisher Angelo Rizzoli (of the luxurious Rizzoli publishing house) famously decamped there in the 50s bringing along the trendy European set, Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor followed by filming Cleopatra there and more recently – Jude Law and Gwyneth Paltrow’s Talented Mr Ripley captured its beauty on the silver screen.
Needless to say, the reopening of the film festival is significant not only for the local economy that thrives from tourism – but also for the greater film industry across the country. We hope it encourages others to follow suit.
Should you wish to visit the festival this summer – we suggest staying at Burton and Taylor’s favourite haunt, the Regina Isabella – a stunning 5 star hotel by the water (quite similar in style to the Cala di Volpe Hotel on the neighbouring island of Sardinia – across from the Bay of Naples – but unrivaled in service and discretion).
Getting around the island can be tricky so if you’re not on a yacht make you bring a car across on the ferry from Naples. Remember, the island is very small and the villages are smaller, so pick up a small rental – or even better – one of Berluti’s gorgeous made-to-order buggies that come complete with leather suitcases strapped to the back marked with the brand’s famous pattern.
There certainly is no better way to spend the summer than indulging your inner cinephile whilst channelling your inner Dickie Greenleef. Saluti!
NEXT: Jet, Set, Victory! Level up your backgammon game this summer…