AwardsWatch

The Oscar® Nominee Will Accept His Award At Opening Ceremonies On February 19th

Mel Gibson has been awarded the 'Director of the Year' award for “Hacksaw Ridge” by the 12th edition of the Los Angeles Italia - Film, Fashion and Art Fest it was announced here today by festival founder-producer Pascal Vicedomini and festival honorary chair Mark Canton. Gibson will accept his award during the festival’s opening night ceremonies on the evening of February 19^th.  As in prior years, the 2017 festival will take place at the Chinese Six Theatre complex at Hollywood & Highland adjacent to the home of the Academy Awards®, and will put Italian cinema in the spotlight through a series of premieres, screenings retrospectives and exhibitions.

“Hacksaw Ridge” recounts the story of an American World War II hero, played by Andrew Garfield, who saved 75 lives in the Okinawa battle without firing a single shot. The film is produced by Bill Mechanic, David Permut, Terry Benedict, Bruce Davey, Paul Currie, Brian Oliver, William D. Johnson and Tyler Thompson from a script by Robert Schenkkan and Andrew Knight. It is being released by Summit/Lionsgate.

“Mel Gibson delivered an exciting, well-cast and beautifully executed motion picture that has struck a chord with audiences and critics through the world. And thus, our board unanimously voted to honor him with this much-deserved award,” said Vicedomini and Canton.

Gibson, a double Oscar-winner for “Braveheart” (1995, Best Director and Best Film), and an Academy Award® contender for directing “Hacksaw Ridge” has already won several awards for his work on the film including those from Capri, Hollywood – The International Film Festival, the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television, the Australian Film Institute and The Hollywood Film Awards amongst others.

“It took over 15 years to bring Hacksaw to the screen, said producer Bill Mechanic. “Although I always thought Mel was the perfect director, he passed twice over that period, but luckily reconsidered and made a great film.”

LA, Italia 2017 is chaired by music icons Mike Stoller and Corky Hale, with producer Mark Canton as honorary chair, Andrea Iervolino and Lady Monika Bacardi as co-presidents, and Tony Renis as president. It is presented by the Capri in the World Institute with the support of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities (DG Cinema) in collaboration with ANICA, the Italian Trade Commission, SIAE, and NIAF - the National Italian American Foundation, as well as AMBI Group and ISAIA. It is also sponsored by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and the Italian Consulate General in Los Angeles.