‘My sole concern over the last few weeks has been saving the Rome Film Fest, an event to which I have dedicated three intensely rewarding years of hard work with a team of talented young film professionals.

For this reason, in meeting with the Mayor of Rome today, I confirmed my decision to step down as president of the festival, in order to put an end to any and all controversy or forms of political manipulation that could objectively arise in light of my appointment to a national role in the Democratic Party.

However, I would like to stress the fact that the spoils system had nothing to do with my appointment as President of the Rome Film Fest. My contribution was to help create the event from scratch – a much acclaimed event, which in only two years has risen to prominence in the international film scene.

What is absolutely essential is to re-establish a serene working environment and an atmosphere of whole-hearted collaboration, in order to arrive at shared solutions concerning the future of the event.

It seems clear that the Mayor has confirmed the city government’s decision to continue to be a member of the Fondazione Cinema per Roma, honor the commitments undertaken by all the foundation’s members, and give the green light to the 2008 edition of the festival, the preparation of which is by now well underway.

And to open a welcome debate at the end of the next Rome Film Fest as well, with a passionate appraisal of all the event’s strengths as well as room for improvement after its first three years in existence. I believe this discourse to be extremely positive.

Now it is up to the diverse government institutions involved in the foundation to reach an agreement between themselves, set an agenda for the future, reorganize the Board of Directors, and appoint a new president who enjoys the full confidence of all concerned.’