When it comes to movie festivals, I must confess that I’ve got something of an addiction.

They certainly offer a great opportunity to see unusual and independent movies, although for me, it is much more than that.

There is always the chance that you will bump into some gorgeous actor, as I did a few years ago in Venice when, on the same day, I both stepped on Raoul Bova’s foot and interviewed the magnificent George (Clooney, of course).

Then there are the cool on-boat (or should I say, on-yacht) parties, filled with celebs, thousand-dollar bags, funky appetizers and great cocktails.

Not forgetting the massive international prémieres, the red carpets, the bodyguards and the limos, the photo calls, the press conferences and the restaurants, where you might spot Mrs Bellucci having a plate of delicious maccheroni.

But aside from this glittering side of festivals, what I like most about them is the opportunity they give you to meet, chat and learn from people that share your same movie addiction.

And that is exactly what happened at the Ischia Film Festival, where I recently attended a two-day workshop on Product & Location Placement held by various pros of the field, including movie producers, scholars, directors and CEOs of branded entertainment agencies.

At this event women were, as you might have imagined , the best and most inspiring lecturers (might that be because women are also the best and most inspiring product buyers??)

My personal top three include the speeches given by Elisa Boltri (from Cattleya), Romilda De Luca (from Armosia) and Marina Marzotto (from Propaganda G.E.M.) who all provided interesting case histories, anecdotes and also a juicy insider secret (which is that Tom Hanks will be driving a brand new model of the Lancia Delta in his upcoming movie, Angels & Demons)

But the festival was not just about these intriguing workshops. There was also a great selection of movies screened in which you could look out for brands, logos, products and unusuals locations, such as in the witty Just Add Water. Shot in Trona, California, this flick is absolutely filled with food & beverage brands (most noticeably Pepsi), and is a perfect example of the commercial art of product placement.

Add all of this the fact that Ischia is surely one of the most enchanting places that you could ever wish to go on vacation to, and you might understand why I simply adore film festivals. My passion for travelling and that for movies blend into one.

So not only am I a frequent flyer, but also a frequent movie festival goer.

Filed under: Movies & Cinema