Opening soon of the 2008 Sport Movies & TV Festival

From 31 October to 5 November 2008, the Italian city of Milan will be the world’s capital of Sport, Movies and TV, host of the 26th edition of the International “Sport Movies & TV 2008” Festival. Organised by the International Sports Movies and Television Federation (FICTS), and supported by the IOC, this Festival is the final phase of the “World FICTS Challenge”, staged in 12 cities on the five continents.

6 days, 180 screenings and 30 awards
Over six days, 180 cinema and TV productions from 44 countries and representing 46 sports disciplines will be in competition. The best production in each of the six categories of: “Olympic Spirit”, “Documentaries”, “TV programmes”, “Sport and Society”, “Films” and “Sport and Advertising” will be awarded the prestigious “Guirlande d’honneur” by the international jury. Parallel to the screenings and the film competition, workshops, meetings and exhibitions will offer a comprehensive approach to the world of sport.

Olympians on the credits of the Festival
Personalities from the world of sport, cinema and journalism are expected in Milan. Among them are Edoardo Mangiarotti, the fencer with 13 Olympic medals; Yelena Isinbaeva, Olympic champion and new world record holder in the pole vault; Dick Fosbury, of “Fosbury flop” fame; Gianluigi Buffon, the goalkeeper world champion with Italy; and some 30 Olympic medallists.