Academy Award  winning actor Nicolas Cage will be honored on the forth day of the 6th Annual Los Angeles   Italia Film, Fashion and Art Fest, on Thursday, Feb 24, 7:00 p.m. at the Mann Chinese 6 Theatre, it was announced today by Festival Founder and Executive Producer Pascal Vicedomini.

Singled out for his commitment in promoting the Italian-American heritage, Nicolas Cage will be presented with  The 2011 L.A. Italia   Excellence Award  by noted Italian director Marco Bellocchio.

Previous honorees include director Quentin Tarantino and actor Sylvester Stallone.**

Following the award ceremony Nicolas Cage will be going to the Archlight Theater for the World Premiere of his latest movie  Drive Angry.  The film is directed by Patrick Lussier, produced by Avi Lerner for Millennium Films and distributed by Summit Entertainment.

LA Italia will also proudly salute this year s Italian-American and Italian artists who have received Academy Awards  nominations,

including:

Melissa Leo, Best Supporting Actress for the movie  The Fighter"

Antonella Cannarozzi, Best Costume Designer for the movie  I Am Love  by Fabio Guadagnino.**

Additionally, Danish director Susan Bier will be a special guest for the evening in recognition of her Academy Awards  nomination for the  In a Better World.

The 6th Annual Los Angeles   Italia Film, Fashion and Art Fest (Feb. 20-26) is a week of screenings, symposia and special musical events at the Hollywood & Highland that showcases the best of Italy s contribution to the arts, with an authentic Italian style and spirit.**

Coinciding with the 83rd Academy Awards, the 6th Los Angeles Italia   Film, Fashion and Art Festival, chaired by Oscar-winner Bobby Moresco (Crash), is produced under the direction of Pascal Vicedomini by The Capri in the World Institute in association with CIM Group-USA, the National Italian American Foundatione, the Consul General of Italy and the Italian Institute of Culture in Los Angeles. It is sponsored and organized in collaboration Eni (the Italian multinational oil and gas company), Alitalia and Rai Trade with the support of the Italian Ministry of Culture (DG Cinema), the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Italian Embassy in the USA and Cinecitt  Studios, CInecitt  Holding and Italian Independent Productios.

Italian-American screenwriter and Oscar  winning director Bobby Moresco (Crash) and noted Italian actor Franco Nero serve as Festival Chairmen. Co-Chairs are Marina Cicogna, Shaul Kuba (CIM Group) and Jack and Leslie Kavanaugh. Golden Globe -winning and Oscar -nominated composer Tony Renis is Festival President. Joining in the festivities will be prominent members of the Los Angeles and International film communities and celebrity friends. Screenings and programs are offered at no charge to the public   admission is on a first-come, first-served basis.**