The Italian Film festival has decided not to award the 4th Italian Film festival Scholarship.

The level of experience of the applicants for the 4th scholarship was not sufficient to meet the criteria of the award. Whilst the festival’s Scholarship has had very worthy winners over the previous 3 years, winners that the festival was honoured to associate with this award, the overall level of applicants each year were always a concern. Unfortunately this year there was no applicant who passed the initial review.

There has also been no assistance (non-monetary) provided from any film related organisations in both Italy and New Zealand following many requests for that assistance. For these reasons plus the fact that funding of the award is a significant request for the festival, Cathay Pacific and Rialto Cinemas, an overall decision has been made to not continue with the award.

Sam Kelly, who is currently in Italy on behalf of the Italian Film festival, Cathay Pacific and Rialto Cinemas, will be the last recipient. Thank you to Cathay Pacific and Rialto Cinemas as without the combined support of these organisations this Scholarship would not have been born.