Pittsburgh Filmmakers & Robert Morris Host Italian Students Whose School Was Damaged in Earthquake

Pittsburgh Filmmakers and Robert Morris University have welcomed a total of six Italian students whose schools were severely damaged in the recent earthquake that affected the Abruzzo region.

The students at the Filmmakers are Juri Fantigrossi, Michele Giacardi, Antonio Paolucci and Flavia Tiberi. All are from L’Accademia dell’ Immagine in L’Aquila, Italy.

Studying at Robert Morris are Berardo Artieri and Luca Lugini, who were studying engineering and computer science at the University of L'Aquila.

Pittsburgh Filmmakers discounted the students' tuition for the semester, which is being paid by UPMC, which originated this arrangement as part of its ongoing relationship with Italy.

Some scholarship support has also come from the University of Pittsburgh’s Office of the Provost to make this project possible. Additional funds are being raised by local Italians and Italian-Americans to cover board, supplies, travel, and other aspects of the students’ routine expenses.

Robert Morris offered to cover tuition for fall and spring semesters, about $20,000 each. More money was raised to pay for room and board, textbooks, airplane tickets and living expenses. RMU said it plans to continue fundraising efforts this fall with a picnic and golf tournament. Read more about the Italian students at RMU by CLICKING HERE.

The film students have a tentative agreement with RAI, the Italian television network, to broadcast work they will be making here. They were scheduled to meet with RAI’s Piero DiPasquale, in town for the G-20 Summit, for more details and guidance. Each student is enrolled in four classes this fall at Pittsburgh Filmmakers, plus one at Pitt.

See the Pittsburgh Filmmakers October Schedule at www.pghfilmmakers.org/exhibition/film_imgs/oct09cal.pdf