The NM Italian Film & Culture Festival has been delighting audiences and gathering fans since 2007 when its founder, Ronaldo Patrizio-Steiner, first staged a four day celebration of film and culture as a benefit for the University of New Mexico Children’s Hospital. That first festival featured 12 films and a buffet. It was declared a huge success as both an artistic and a fundraising endeavor. It became Ronaldo’s passion and his gift to the community. He spent the next 5 years nearly singlehandedly growing and diversifying the NM Italian Film & Culture Festival to run for an entire week and to feature music as well as more food and wine tastings.

When Ronaldo moved out of state after the 2012 festival, he left it in the hands of New Mexico Italian Festivals - the non-profit organization that he had established a year before. Members of that organization, all dedicated to the cause of the UNM Children’s Hospital and to promoting Italian culture in New Mexico, stepped forward to produce a festival in February 2014. Dates have been set. Plans are underway and we’re working toward a full roster of great films and exciting events.  Over the next several months we’ll keep you informed by posting our progress on this page and on our Facebook page.

Visit often! Stay tuned as we put together a great program of films and events, shining the spotlight on a culture that's rich in its cinema, music, food, traditions ... That's Italian!

1/9/2013: Please visit our sponsors page to see the businesses that have already committed to participate in 2014 to make our festival the best yet. We’ll continue to add sponsors, so check back often and stop in to their businesses to say “thanks!”

1/17/2013: We're pleased to announce that the official photographer for the 2014 festival will be Donatella Davanzo(  www.anthrophoto.net)  Donatella is the senior government photographer for the City of Trieste, Italy, a published author, and currently a Ph.D. candidate at the University of New Mexico.  Her work has been exhibited throughout Italy.  We're fortunate to have her enthusiastic participation in our event.

1/24/2013: The name is changed (but only slightly) to reflect the reality that Italian culture is comprised of more than just films, but the emphasis and goals remain the same. Raising money for The UNM Children's Hospital remains our purpose, and providing access to quality Italian films remains our primary vehicle. But look for food, music, dance, Ialian celebrities, and other features to enhance the experience.

2/14/2013: Back by popular demand! - the two most popular events of past festivals: the Sunday food and film event at the South Broadway Cultural Center and the final film and dinner event at the Guild and Scalo. The SBCC event on Sunday, February 9th (the 2014 Sunday Festa) will feature a great film, Italian street food, entertainment and other surprises. We welcome back our generous catering partners: Pizzeria Luca, Saggio's, Fastino's, Scalo, Trombino's, Saratori's, Tully's and Zinc. Stand by . . . there may be others! The final Sunday event, February 16 (the 2014 Gran Finale Film & Intermezzo Pranzo) always sells out early. Thanks to the generosity of the Guild Theater and Scalo Northern Italian Grill, that great film and food experience will once again close out the week's festivities.