Back to index of Festival Previews 

 Interview with Luca Raffaelli Thomas Renoldner 



Luca Raffaelli and Vincenzo Gioanola at I CASTELLI ANIMATI'98

Thomas Renoldner:

"Luca Raffaelli, you are the artistic director of I CASTELLI ANIMATI, an annual animation festival in Genzano di Roma, Italy.
Before we talk about the festival, would you be so kind to give me a few informations about yourself?"
Luca Raffaelli:

"I'm forty years old and have been working in animation and comics for more than twenty years.
I mainly work as a writer: articles and essays ( my book "Le anime disegnate" on cartoons' philosophy from Disney to Japanese, is now at its third edition and has been translated in English - in "A reader in Animation" by Jane Pilling - and in French - by Dreamland) on animated films and comics, short stories and childrens' books, scripts for films, tv series and programs, comics and songs.
I organised many Festivals, I was the vice-director of Lucca's Festival, the artistic director of the first three editions of Cartoombria and am now directing - for the second time - I CASTELLI ANIMATI. This is certainly the most interesting and successful experience."
Thomas Renoldner:

"Besides the special presentations of films by Joanna Quinn (United Kingdom), Marv Newland (Canada), Carlos Trillo (Argentina), Rin Taro (Japan) and Roberto Gavioli (Italy) I CASTELLI ANIMATI will present two competitions reserved to artistic short films;
  • the third International Competition
  • and the second Italian Competition.
    You are the person, who has selected all films for both programs. What is your basic conception when you select the films?"
    • Luca Raffaelli:

    "I CASTELLI ANIMATI are interested to every kind of animation;
    I'm particularly excited by the idea of having a big variety of different styles and techniques. I could say that a film is like a person: if, when I meet this person, I can feel something deep, touching and shining, if I feel that there is something that is complete in at least one part of his/her personality, then he/she becomes one of my favorites."
    Thomas Renoldner:

    "Is I CASTELLI ANIMATI the only festival to present an Italian competition and what are the special characteristics of your presentation of Italian films?"
    Luca Raffaelli:

    "I CASTELLI ANIMATI is the only Italian Festival that has a competition for animated short films created in Italy. The industry of Italian animation film is in great development and turmoil and the Festival's program will screen, together with the shorts, commercials and commissioned films to offer a complete picture of the variety of styles and techniques that are being used by Italian authors and producers."
    Thomas Renoldner:

    "There are a lot of European animations festivals showing international competition programs.
    Talking to an international audience and comparing your festival with others, which arguments would you have to convince them to visit the festival in Genzano di Roma?"
    Luca Raffaelli:

    "Yes I admit it, I CASTELLI ANIMATI is a totally unique Festival!
    It still is a little one, and it still can concentrate all its events in one place. This way I can define a program - that fills up mornings, afternoons and evenings - in which the different retrospectives, homages and competitions alternate rapidly and are mixed with brief conferences, introductions of the authors, performance and last minute surprises. This produces in the audience an atmosphere of great participation and liveliness, that expands to the authors as well...
    Last year proof of the enthusiasm by the authors guests of the festival, Oscar Grillo, Federico Vitali, Pal Toth, Vincenzo Gioanola, Giulio Cingoli, Vincent Patar and Stéphan Aubier, Gert van Goethem, was fantastic!
    This year we are trying to do even better!!"

    Luca Raffaelli, audience and Sergio Staino at I CASTELLI ANIMATI'98
    Thomas Renoldner:

    "This really sounds like a hot Italian animation marathon. I regret that I cannot be there, but wish the festival many guests and success and the described intensive atmosphere.
    The festival dates of I CASTELLI ANIMATI'99 are 29th September - 3rd October1999."





    Back to index of Festival Previews