The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Benedetto Della Vedova, took part in the inauguration of “Breve Incontro – A’ la cour du court”, a cinematographic review organised by the Italian Cultural Institute in Rabat, held entirely online for ten weeks, starting on 16 March 2021. This initiative, promoted in collaboration with RAI, provides for online projection of 42 short Italian films made over the last two years, many of which have won awards at national and international festivals, as well as David di Donatello winners.
When opening the event, the Ambassador to Morocco, Armando Barucco, paid tribute to Ambassador Luca Attanasio who had served in that Country as the Consul in Casablanca, where he left profound memories in the local society.
Having also referred to the memory of Luca Attanasio, the Deputy Minister stated that the cinema industry is strategic for the Italian economy, as one of the fundamental aspects of Italian and European identity, and went on to point out how promoting it is an essential tool for our Country’s soft power.
“The audiovisual industry is one of the most creative in Italy. Its “multiplier effect” takes second place on the ranking of all national economic activities, and includes about 8,500 companies who directly employ about 50,000 people. If one takes its spin-off into account, this figure exceeds an impressive 170,000 people,” – continued Deputy Minister Della Vedova. – “It is a sector with a strong presence of women and young people, that is adapting and transforming to tackle the challenge of consumption online.”
The Deputy Minister concluded by thanking in particular the Centro Nazionale del Cortometraggio of Turin, and Casa del Cinema of Rome, as well as RAI obviously, that, in its various forms, “is the Foreign Ministry’s natural partner in the shared mission of promoting our language and culture abroad”.
