PAGE 7
CLUB NEWS
FALL 2020 Italian American Digest
Russo Brothers Italian American
Film Forum awards
Charles Marsala Grant
By Charles Marsala
In July, Charles Geno Marsala,
the President of the American Italian
Federation of the Southeast and a
District National Vice-President
the Italian Sons and Daughters of
America (ISDA), was one of eight
chosen for the 2020 Russo Brothers
Italian American Film Forum Grants.
The program was started by
Anthony and Joseph Russo who have
a cinematic repertoire that reaches
from the highest grossing Marvel
films to Emmy’s for their prime-time
projects. New Orleanian Anthony
Mackie is featured in several of their
films including the Captain America
series.
As active members of the Italian
Sons and Daughters of America
(ISDA), the Russo brothers have
partnered with National Italian
American Foundation (NAIF) and
ISDA to develop The Russo Brothers
Italian American Film Forum.
The Forum provides an incredible
opportunity for inspired and creative
artists to craft films that explore the
Italian American experience.
In 2020 there were nearly 200
Charles Marsala, sculptor Franco Alessandrini,
and Michael Santo of New York who chaired the
2019 Mayor’s Recognition of Italian
contributions.
applicants. Eight were selected to receive
the $8,000.00 grant to produce their
proposed film. Grants are awarded based
on the promise of the film’s premise,
how it relates to the Italian American
experience, and the creative potential of
the filmmaker.
Marsala
produces
“Celebrating
Culture” which airs on WLAE-TV
Sundays at 9pm. Eighteen episodes
have been produced Louisiana
culture, Coastal Restoration, Saving
Endangered Species, and the work of
Non-Profits. Eight episodes have been
produced on the Sicilian Migration to
New Orleans.
Several interviews of the show have
been embedded into a self-guided tour
app: “New Orleans Insider Tours”
which has over 400 points of interest
regarding Louisiana. Over 60,000
Sicilians landed in the French Quarter
during 1884-1920. Historic Markers
are being installed in the area some
called: “Little Palermo.”
Marsala, was on the committee
that organized the 2019 ceremony
with Mayor Cantrell in which she
recognized the contributions of
Sicilians and Italians to New Orleans
and America. As part of that ceremony,
Mayor Cantrell apologized for the 1891
involvement of City Officials in the
lynching of acquitted Sicilians for the
murder of Police Chief Hennessy.
Marsala’s submittal to The Russo
Brothers Italian American Film Forum
is to focus on the involvement of James
Houston in the lynching, Houston’s
business dealings, and the previous four
men Houston killed.