Andrea Galante, Director of The Milan International Film Festival, in association with the Consul General of Italy, Diego Brasoli, the UK Film Council and the Austrian Consul General, Peter Launsky-Tieffenthal, announce of the “Best of the Fest” awards presentation and screenings. Starting January 29th, for 4 consecutive Thursdays, the winners of the 4th annual MIFF, which occurred over 14 days Autumn 2003, will have their films screened in the plush Sala Rossellini at The Italian Cultural Institute in Westwood, California.

Andrea Galante and MIFF bring to Milan an opportunity to screen Independent feature and short film from around the globe. Now MIFF brings to Los Angeles the opportunity to screen this year’s Best of the Fest.

Kicking off the opening night Thursday January 29th, with a high profile, invite-only awards presentation, Phil Linson, Vice Dean of AFI (American Film Institute) Conservancy presents AFI graduate Tanja Mairitsch for her win with the Best Short Film FUELING THE FIRE. The Austrian Consulate General in Los Angeles have provided generous support to the evening and Austrian Consul General, Peter Launsky-Tieffenthal will be in attendance.

AMERICAN COUSINS lead actor Danny Nucci (TITANIC, FALCON CREST) will receive the honor for Leonardo’s horse, Best Director and Audience Choice awards given to AMERICAN COUSINS Director, Donald Coutts, and Screenwriter, Sergio Casci, last Fall in Milan. The UK Film Council have also provided their generous support to the evening’s celebration, and UK Film Council Director Susan Finlayson-Sitch will be on hand to promote UK productions.

Writer and Director Dan McCarthy will present Best Actor Award to Daniel Baldwin for his winning performance in IRISH EYES. Daniel will be accompanied by his wife, actress Isabella Hoffman, and his brother and sister-in-law Billy Baldwin and Chynna Phillips.

Fellow actor Tomas Arena (GLADIATOR, THE BODYGUARD, LAST TEMPTATION OF CHRIST) will present Best Actress award to Oksana Orlenko for her outstanding performance in LANA’S RAIN.

THE BURIAL SOCIETY received the Best Production Design Award which will be presented to James Hazell by Robert Boyle, who has Art Directed and Production Designed over 100 films including his work with Alfred Hitchcock (NORTH BY NORTHWEST, THE BIRDS). Jeff Schenk, COO of Regent Entertainment who are distributing the film internationally, will accept the award in James Hazell’s absence.

Gabriel Bologna, the film’s Director and winner of 2003 MIFF Best Screenwriter Award, will present Best Movie Poster award to Michelle King for THEORY OF THE LEISURE CLASS.

The 2003 MIFF Best Costume Design award will be presented by Vincent Schiavelli, journalist and actor in over 120 films (ONE FLEW OVER THE COCKOO’s NEST, AMADEUS, GHOST, MIFF 2003 Jury Member) to Director Jeff Burr, accepting for Gabi Riscan and Tora Dragomir, who live in Romania, for their work on STRAIGHT INTO DARKNESS.

This evening will include a screening of FUELING THE FIRE (best short) and AMERICAN COUSINS (audience choice) with refreshments provided by Zooma Sushi. Festivities will carry over to an exclusive party in an Italian Villa in Beverly Hills. Emmy winning (ACTS OF LOVE AND OTHER COMEDIES) and Oscar nominated (LOVERS AND OTHER STRANGERS) acting/ writing duo Rene Taylor (THE NANNY, DR. DOOLITTLE 2) and Joe Bologna ( BLAME IT ON RIO, MY FAVORITE YEAR) are opening their home to the guests of this special evening. Wood fired Pizza from Barri’s, made fresh on Joe & Rene’s outdoor wood burning oven and D’Aquino wines are sure enhance the revealers celebration.