by InTrieste
In a notable display of cultural collaboration, the five winning short films of the “Corti senza Confine” call have been unveiled, marking a significant step in the lead-up to the 2025 European Capital of Culture celebrations.
The announcement was made at a press conference held at the Palazzo della Regione Autonoma Friuli Venezia Giulia, attended by notable regional figures including Vice President and Regional Councillor for Culture and Sports Mario Anzil, Regional Councillor for Productive Activities and Tourism Sergio Emidio Bini, and the coordinator of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Film Commission, Chiara Valenti Omero.
The “Corti senza Confine” initiative is a cornerstone of the cultural program designed for “GO! 2025,” orchestrated by the Central Directorate of Culture and Sports. It aims to produce original works that encapsulate the essence of the region and contribute to its cultural heritage long after the event.
The selected short films—”Gorizia” by Rumore srls, “L’estate che verrà” by Groenlandia Srl, “Dall’altra parte – favola di Aulo e Marina” by Tucker Film srl, “La battaglia delle spazzole” by Staragara I.T., and “Vivere” by La Scontrosa srl—were praised for their evocative portrayal of the Gorizia and cross-border region, embodying the historical and cultural significance of this “borderland.” The filmmakers were tasked with capturing this narrative within the thematic framework of the region’s symbolic transition from a divided past to a unified future. All works are slated for completion by October 30, 2024.
Renowned director Gabriele Salvatores, who served as president of the evaluation jury, expressed his enthusiasm and emotional connection to the project. “I am very happy that this project is among the initiatives proposed for GO! 2025. I firmly believe that we should live without borders, sharing ideas in peace, even if different,” Salvatores remarked. He praised the diversity and quality of the entries, noting the poetic and transcendent qualities of the selected films.
Each project will receive up to 100,000 euros in funding, covering all projected expenses, thanks to the support from the Central Directorate of Culture and Sports in collaboration with the FVG Film Commission – PromoTurismoFVG. The call, which closed on April 2, attracted 151 submissions from across Italy and Europe, far exceeding expectations.
The awarded films each tell unique stories linked by the theme of “absence of borders.” They will begin and end their narratives at Transalpina Square/Trg Evrope, a poignant symbol of the dissolution of borders. “Gorizia,” the only animated film among the winners, features the work of acclaimed artist Simone Massi and transforms the square into a stage where historical tragedies and future hopes intersect.
“L’estate che verrà,” directed by Mauro Lodi and produced by the Roman company Groenlandia S.r.l., narrates the deep friendship between an Italian and a Slovenian against the backdrop of impending war. Emma Jaay’s “Dall’altra parte – favola di Aulo e Marina,” produced by Tucker Film srl, is described as a modern fairy tale exploring the boundless love between two characters within a city that feels like the whole world.
Lorenzo Fabbro’s “La battaglia delle spazzole,” produced by the Gorizia-based Staragara I.T., offers a comedic take on the nightly routine of two street sweepers, while “Vivere,” produced by Trieste’s La Scontrosa srl and written by Chiara Cremaschi, is an introspective journey of two women discovering their interconnected fates.
“The cinema and Gorizia form a winning combination,” noted Councillor Sergio Emidio Bini. He highlighted the recent resurgence of Gorizia as a favored filming location, which has brought significant economic and cultural benefits to the region, including a notable increase in tourist visits.
With less than six months until the grand 2025 celebrations, Vice President Mario Anzil emphasized the lasting impact of “Corti senza Confine.” “This important event will have a lasting and living testimony that will convey to everyone the significance of this event for our territory,” he stated. Encouraged by the initiative’s success, Anzil hinted at possible additional funding to support more productions.
As Gorizia and Nova Gorica prepare to host the 2025 European Capital of Culture, these films promise to be enduring legacies, capturing the spirit of a region where the concept of borders is being reshaped by shared cultural experiences.
