The L’Aquila Film Institute "La Lanterna Magica" is a non-profit organisation. It has gained official recognition from the regional government of Abruzzo for the highly praiseworthy activities conducted since 1981 which involve research and promotion related to film, audio visuals and multimedia.
The Institute is characterised by initiatives that have rendered it an important point of reference for people working, studying or interested in the world of cinema and audiovisuals. This has enabled the Institute to develop valuable connections with important figures in the entertainment industry, organisations and institutes in various countries, as well as national and international press.

The Institute was established by Gabriele Lucci; he fulfilled the role of the Artistic Director until 2000.
Since the early 1980s Lucci created initiatives of international importance: The "City In Cinema" festival on film and art techniques, which ran for ten years (1981-1990), the European Conference on High Definition, the International Conference on Audiovisual Language, the Nestor Almendros Award for young or emerging directors of photography, the conference dedicated to the French director François Truffaut, and various workshops led by Oscar winners.
"La Lanterna Magica" also boasts important publications such as the book "Nestor Almendros - Direttore della Fotografia", two volumes of "Costumisti e Scenografi del Cinema Italiano" as well as other publications on film arts and techniques.

One of Lanterna Magica's greatest achievements was, in 1995, the establishment of the International Academy of Image Arts and Sciences. The Academy is a state-of-the-art film school providing specialised training in film and audiovisual communication. An important collection of over one thousand films was acquired in 2000 to create a Film Library.
The titles include many rare films and films of historical and artistic importance. Moreover in 2001 “La Lanterna Magica” gives his basic contribution to the final costitution of the Abruzzo Film Commission and, during 2002, works to reopen the historic Cinema Massimo, point of reference of civic cultural life.

Many of the events and initiatives organised by Lanterna Magica have received both public and critical acclaim which can be seen in the articles which have appeared in the national and international press: “Le Monde”, “La Repubblica”, “The Guardian”, “Il Corriere della sera”, “Variety”, “La Stampa”, “Suddeutsche Zeitung”, “Il Sole 24 ore”, Rai and Mediaset television.
The L’Aquila Film Institute currently consolidates its work through Annual Events (Cultural events, Notte Noir, Nestor Almendros Award, Coccarde in Video, Publishing) and Permanent Services (L’Aquila Film Library, Regional Video Library, Education, Cinema Massimo).

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