After more than a year of conducting research, gathering photos and reviewing home movies, filmmaker Michael Accorsi has released a film that celebrates the 100-year history of Italian-Americans who lived and worked in Hershey.

"Gioia e Solideritá," which translates to "Joy and Togetherness," is a 20-minute production that illustrates real-life stories about Italians in Hershey, including their struggles and celebrations. "The story of this Italian community is quite remarkable," Accorsi said. "Like so many Italian communities, the values and strength of the community helped Italians persevere and achieve great accomplishments." He added that the film was recently selected for the Venus Italian International Film Festival.

Accorsi produces cinematic films as the owner of Accorsi Studios. His great-grandparents immigrated to the United States in 1914 and settled in Hershey along with many other Italians. "I just moved back to Hershey to spend time with my father and work on projects centering around the centennial for Italians here," Accorsi noted.

He explained that Italians first came to work in local quarries and later at the chocolate factory built by Milton Hershey. Accorsi noted that his father worked as a foreman in the chocolate factory.

Accorsi collected old photos, many of which had to be touched up because they were damaged, and gathered home movies, some of which had to be converted for digital use.

"I had to go through miles of personal family footage to create a story," Accorsi said. "It is not a documentary. I just did an overarching summary. I interviewed older residents and got film footage from people who had it that came from several families in town. I wanted to have as much film as possible and accentuate it with photographs."

A live screening was held in July at the Swatara Train Station in Hershey, and Accorsi was able to watch people's reactions as they viewed the film. "There are parts of the film that move pretty fast. I was worried about that, but (the viewers) liked the pace," said Accorsi. "It was emotional. There were some tears."

He noted that the film's message can be applicable to people of all backgrounds. "(Italians) were just a vibrant, happy, loving (people)," he said. "To me, that is the thing that connects to anybody. (Everybody) would identify with that."

The film will be available to stream online for a nominal fee starting on Friday, Oct. 22. Visit http://www.italiansinhershey.com for more details.

A screening will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 9, at 7 p.m. at Fenicci's of Hershey, 102 W. Chocolate Ave., Hershey, and on Sunday, Dec. 19, at The Mill, 810 Old W. Chocolate Ave., Hershey. Both screenings will begin at 7 p.m. Tickets holders will be able to enjoy the film, appetizers and a glass of wine. Tickets are available on the previously mentioned website. Space is limited.

For more information about the film or to learn about additional screening dates, visit http://www.facebook.com/italiansinhersheyfilm.