Italian Film Kicks Off This Year's Cinequest Film Festival In San Jose

SAN JOSE (KCBS) - This year's Academy Awards may be in the history books, but Bay Area film buffs still had reason to celebrate. San Jose's Cinequest Film Festival was ready for launch Tuesday evening, continuing through March 13.

KCBS' Mike Colgan Reports:

Opening night was to include a screening of John Turturro's documentary "Passione," followed by the presentation of Cinequest's Spirit Award to Turturro.

"It'll be a wonderful evening, really celebrating the passion of Italian music and cinema and love of life and culture," summed up Cinequest director and co-founder Halfdan Hussy. "So, a great evening followed by some amazing parties after we premier the film."

Up to 100,000 people from all over the world were expected to pack various downtown San Jose theaters over the next two weeks, which would mark the Silicon Valley film festival's 21st year.

"We're bringing together 250 screenings, 75 United States and world premiers," Hussy explained. "Over 700 artists and animators coming in to Cinequest."

Click here for more info on Cinequest.

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