Rome - US director Francis Ford Coppola after an absence of 10 years is to present his new film at the Rome film festival, to be held from October 18 to 27, the Italian news agency Ansa reported Friday. The new film Youth Without Youth is based on the work of Romanian author and religious scientist, Mircea Eliade, and stars Tim Roth, Bruno Ganz and Alexandra Maria Lara.
Ansa quoted Coppola as saying that all festivals wanted his new film, but he chose Rome because that was where films were chosen for the audiences.
Another highlight of the Roman film extravaganza will be premiere of Steven Sebring's Patti Smith: Dream of Life, in which the life of the US rock icon is depicted.
Director Shekhar Kapur is due to present a sequel to the Oscar- nominated drama Elizabeth with Cate Blanchett, Geoffrey Rush and Clive Owen. This film has already premiered in Rome.
Rome's Festa del Cinema is to take place at an auditorium designed by star architect, Renzo Piano. The complete programme will be available from mid-September.