Hayden Panettiere to join will join Vanessa Redgrave, Dennis Hopper at Ischia

Hayden Panettiere, star of the television phenomenon Heroes and Freddie Highmore, the brilliant 15 year old lead in such critically acclaimed films as The Spiderwick Chronicles, August Rush and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory will join legendary actors Vanessa Redgrave and Dennis Hopper at the 6th Annual Ischia Global Film & Music Fest. The star-studded addition to an already remarkable line-up of directors, producers and financiers is certain to make this year’s international gathering an important celebration of worldwide cinema. The festival will take place at various locations throughout Ischia, Italy, from July 13 till the 20, 2008.

In a short time, Panettiere has developed an impressive list of film credits that include Ice Princess, Joe Somebody, Remember the Titans, The Architect, Mr. Gibb, Raising Helen, Message in a Bottle, Object of My Affection and The Affair of the Necklace. In addition to her on camera work, she has voiced numerous animated characters including Princess Dot in A Bug’s Life, Suri in Dinosaurs and a jockey in Racing Stripes. A civic activist, she is proud to serve as an ambassador for the World Conservation Union’s Wildlife Foundation, an organization that helps raise funds to support and save endangered species. She is also a vocal advocate of the whale preservation society, Whaleman Foundation.

Though only 15, Highmore has already distinguished himself as one of the brightest young actors working today who regularly earns the respect of his fellow, more seasoned actors. After appearing in the 2005 best picture nominee, Finding Neverland with Johnny Depp, it’s reported that Depp suggested Highmore for the title role of Charlie Bucket in Tim Burton’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. It has also been widely reported that Kate Winslet states he is “frankly the best child actor I have ever seen.”
The 6th Annual Ischia Global Fest is jointly produced by Pascal Vicedomini and the Ischia International Arts Academy, with support from the Film Department of the Italian Ministry of Culture, The Campania Region of Italy, The Naples Chamber of Commerce, Venice Casino, Kimbo Coffee and Fiuggi Mineral Water.