Bucharest – Romania is currently hosting the production and film crew of “Banat” (working title), Adriano Valerio’s debut feature film. The story focuses on two Italians from Bari, agronomist Ivo (played by Edoardo Gabbriellini) and working-class Clara (Elena Radonicich), and also stars Stefan Velniciuc and features a cameo by Piera Degli Esposti. Filming lasts for five weeks and will take place between Romania, Bulgaria, Macedonia and Puglia. The film, written by Adriano Valerio and Ezio Abbate, was selected by the Jerusalem Film Lab and the Euro Mediterranean co-production Forum (promoted by the Region of Puglia with the Apulia Film Commission). It’s produced by Mario Mazzarotto and Emanuele Nespeca for Film Movement with RAI Cinema, with the support of the Directorate General for Cinema and the contribution of the Apulia Film Commission. Co-producers include laArs Digita, Bulgaria, Romania (participating with Parada Film, already winner of the Golden Berlin Bear for “Child’s Pose”) and sees involved for the first time in a co-production with Italy, Macedonia (with Kt Film). The director, born in Milan, has lived for ten years in Paris. Valerio teaches directing and film analysis at the International Film School of Paris (EICAR); he collaborates with the Académie Libanaise des Beaux Arts (Beirut), the Marangoni Institute (Paris) and the Italian Cultural Institute (Paris). In 2013, with his short film “37 ° S 4”, he participated in over 110 festivals worldwide, winning numerous awards, including the David di Donatello, a special prize at the Nastro d’Argento and a Special Mention at the Cannes Festival. (9Colonne)