ROME – Selena Gomez, Jessica Chastain, Freida Pinto, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Omar Sy, Sullivan Stapleton, Leo Howard, and Lena Headey are among expected attendees at Italy’s Ischia Global Film and Music Festival, the informal event on the Italo isle in the bay of Naples which prides itself on its relaxed atmosphere.
Gomez (pictured) is coming to present the European preem of William H. Macy’s directorial debut, “Rudderless,” this year’s Sundance closer about a grieving father, played by Billy Crudup, who finds salvation from the discovery of his deceased son’s demo tapes and lyrics. The 21-year-old actress and pop singer will also be feted with one of two Ischia Kids Global Icons awards, the other one going to Leo Howard, the 16-year-old star of Disney XD’s “Kickin’ it.”
“We are increasingly becoming a fest for hot rising young stars,” says Ischia topper Pascal Vicedomini, who also tops sister event Capri Hollywood. Both are conceived as events where attendees can network informally while enjoying splendid locations and luxurious accommodations.
Chastain will be tubthumping first-time U.S. helmer Ned Benson’s double feature debut “The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby.” Pinto, also getting a nod, is coming with “Desert Dancer,” an Iran-set musical directed by Richard Raymond set against the backdrop of the 2009 protests that ignited a movement toward greater freedoms. As previously announced, “Dancer” will be the fest’s opener. Both stars are being celebrated with Ischia Global Art Awards.
Gaul’s Omar Sy (“The Intouchables”) will present the world preem in Ischia of action thriller “Good People,” directed by Henrik Ryben Genz and produced by Avi Lerner and Heidi Joe Markel. “People,” which also James Franco and Kate Hudson, will be released Stateside September 26 via Millennium Films.
Avi Lerner, who is an Ischia regular, is part of copious contingent of international industryites announced for Ischia’s Global Production Summit, also including producers Mark Canton, who chairs the fest, Paula Wagner and Rick Nicita, Guy East, Italy’s Gianni Nunnari and Aurelio De Laurentiis, and helmers Paul Haggis, Marc Webb, Justin Chadwick, Ferzan Ozpetek and Ivan Cotroneo.
On the music side, the fest will celebrate composer Michael Nyman (“The Piano,” “Gattaca,” “The Libertine”) with its Ischia William Walton Music Award.
Ischia’s 12th edition will run July 12-20.
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