Previewing the 35th edition of Sport Movies & TV International FICTS Fest

In recent days, the call for entries for the Sport Movies & TV International FICTS Fest – the 35th in its prestigious history – has ended. All attention will now shift to the event itself, which will take place in Milan from 15-20 November and represents the culmination of 16 festivals held across five continents, celebrating excellence in TV, cinema, culture and sports communication.

FICTS is Federation Internationale Cinema Television Sportifs, which is based in Milan and is recognised by the International Olympic Committee. It promotes the values of sport through images in the 116 affiliated nations and is presided over by Prof. Franco Ascani, Member of the Commission Culture and Olympic Heritage of the Italian Olympic Committee.

Franco Ascani comments: “The access to the Festival is free but reserved exclusively to all those who register at https://www.sportmoviestv.com/accredito/. The centre of the event will be the 17th century Palazzo Giureconsulti, in the heart of the city of Milan (Piazza Mercanti 2 – corner Piazza Duomo). Here are scheduled 140 projections (including 30 world and European previews, etc.), four exhibitions, four meetings, two workshops, two press conferences, 23 international guest awards. Some 20 other events take place in 10 different locations in the city, in collaboration with academic, cultural and sports organisations.”

Are you expecting a huge crowd as in previous years?

Yes, of course. Sport Movies & TV 2017 brings together 5000/6000 operators and industry experts from all over the world, including authors, media, world-wide networks, including representatives of 1,710 sports TV channels in the five continents, producers, radio personnel, directors, Olympic committees, sports federations, advertising and communications agencies, and more.

What would you say is the main theme?

Everything revolves around sport as told by television and cinema through documentaries, commercials, reportage, fiction, cartoon, etc. This year [this will include coverage of events on] national and international networks, local broadcasters, and via streaming on the internet, in addition to paper media, daily press, industry magazines, radio and the new FICTS portal, www.sportmoviestv.com, which is dedicated to the world of cinema, television, web and sports culture.

Among the various ‘events within the event’, what’s the most important?

It is difficult to answer because Sport Movies & TV 2017 Itnternationa FICTS Fest, like every year, is a worldwide showcase for sports productions from the five continents participating in the awarding of the ‘Oscar of Cinema and Sports TV’, the Guilland d’Honneur, in addition to the Mention d’Honneur and the Special Awards that will be assigned to each section by an international jury composed of representatives of cinema, television, media, sport and culture countries that do not participate in the Festival.

Also, do not forget the first edition of the Paralympic International Movies & TV Festival dedicated to Paralympic Heroes who participated in sporting events in 2017 in the presence of Sir Philip Craven, Past President of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), and Dr. Luca Pancalli, President of the Italian Paralympic Committee.

Finally, is it correct that there are some very special anniversaries that will be marked at this year’s event?

Yes, above all, the number 50 will be predominant because 50 years have elapsed since the organisation of the first Festival in the history of sports cinema (before the birth of the International Federation), Sport Filmtage Oberhausen – Internationales Film und Fernesh Festival 1967, in accordance with the regulations of the FIAPF (Fédération Internationale des Associations de Producteurs de Films) from the city of Oberhausen. This is a special anniversary that we will celebrate during the 35th edition of Sport Movies & TV.