With only about a month to organize the first Italian Film Festival in Milwaukee, Barbara Klein, Paul Salsini and I didn't know exactly what to expect. But our fingers were crossed. Barbara has organized similar events in St. Louis and Kansas City and she's the force behind the Milwaukee event, too. Paul and I are the guys on the ground here.

Last night was the first of three nights -- one film each night -- at Marquette's Varsity Theater and with a turnout of more than 100 for "The Fever," we were pleased. Especially considering we did it with little advance notice and zero advertising. But there were Italian teachers, Italian language students, Italian-Americans, Marquette students and film buffs in general, who all got a chance to rate the film afterward.

The Milwaukee International Film Festival had a table set up and two representatives on hand, too.

Tonight's film is "Come Into the Light," a film which chronicling one Sicilian priest's battle against the mafia and tomorrow the series closes with "The Destination," about a young man doing his military service in a small Sardinian town. Both start at 7 p.m. and are free.

We hope to grow the festival next year, so go see the films tonight and tomorrow, leave your e-mail address on your way out and stay tuned for the second annual Italian Film Festival in Milwaukee next spring.