FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Natalie Wulderk
202-939-3117
nwulderk@niaf.org

–  NIAF offers The Russo Brothers Italian American Film Forum Grant in conjunction with the Directors and the Italian Sons and Daughters of America –

 (WASHINGTON, D.C. – April 26, 2019) The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) is pleased to announce that directors Joe and Anthony Russo, who collaborate with NIAF and the Italian Sons and Daughters of America (ISDA) to offer The Russo Brothers Italian American Film Forum, are projected by the film industry to set global box office records this weekend with the release of their new film, Avengers: Endgame.

The Russo Brothers have had two films achieve the worldwide box office records for their respective years: Captain America: Civil War in 2016 and Avengers: Infinity War in 2018.

“Avengers: Endgame is projected to earn between $800 and $900 million this weekend, which will be a new opening weekend box office record,” said Basil Russo, ISDA President and father of the Russo Brothers. “Early online reviews indicate that both critics and audiences love the film. This is truly an exciting time for our family.”

“On behalf of NIAF, we offer our congratulations to Joe and Anthony Russo with their achievements and worldwide success in the film industry,” said NIAF Chair Patricia de Stacy Harrison. “We are proud to collaborate with the Russo Brothers and ISDA to provide grants to aspiring filmmakers that celebrate our Italian American heritage.”

Each year, The Russo Brothers Italian American Film Forum awards multiple $8,000 grants to ambitious filmmakers around the country to create documentary, fiction or non-fiction narrative films that explore the Italian American experience for the benefit of future generations. Grants are open to people of all nationalities and backgrounds. The grants are awarded based solely on the promise of a film’s premise, how it relates to the Italian American experience, and the creative potential of the filmmakers.

“The collaboration between NIAF, Joe and Anthony Russo, and ISDA has been benefiting filmmakers and the Italian American community since 2017. Now in its third year, The Russo Brothers Italian American Forum has announced its eight 2019 Grant Selectees who will receive $8,000 to create films about the Italian American experience. On behalf of NIAF, we look forward to continuing this wonderful program with the Russo Brothers and wish them the most success in their latest film, Avengers: Endgame,” said NIAF Chair Gabriel A. Battista.

For more information about The Russo Brothers Italian American Film Forum and the 2019 Grant Selections, visit: www.niaf.org/programs/russo-brothers-italian-american-film-forum-grant/.

The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to preserving, promoting and protecting the Italian American heritage and culture. To learn more about the Foundation and become a member, please visit www.niaf.org.