Corto 2024

Corto: A Cinematic Triumph Unfolds in Dublin

On Wednesday, January 31, 2024, the Pavilion Hall at the Istituto Italiano di Cultura in Dublin came alive with the magic of Italian-Irish cinema during the sold-out event, “Corto. Italy and Ireland in a Snapshot.” Organized by Radio Dublino in collaboration with the Italian Institute of Culture, this annual rendezvous with the finalists of the Italian Fusion Festival – Short Video Competition proved to be a cinematic extravaganza.

The evening commenced at 7:00 PM local time, with Maurizio Pittau, Founder and Director of Radio Dublino and the Italian Fusion Festival, opening the event. Pittau welcomed the audience and highlighted the significance of the Short Video Competition in promoting Italian-Irish film productions, showcasing their creativity on diverse platforms.

Debora Lupi, the accomplished Panel Moderator, guided the audience through the night’s program, fostering an engaging atmosphere. Lupi introduced the impressive lineup of short films and facilitated a Q&A session with the attending directors, providing insight into their creative processes.

The heart of the event was the screening of six remarkable short films that beautifully encapsulated the artistic fusion of Italian and Irish cultures:

  1. The Return by Chiara Viale: A contemporary interpretation of John Francis O’Donnell’s poem, “The Return” (1837-1874).
  2. A Drinking Pub With A Music Problem by Claire Issartel: A short documentary exploring the social and cultural significance of The Cobblestone pub in Dublin.
  3. Renvyle by The Sea by Jan Sisley and Silvana Benedetto: An experimental and poetic documentary giving voice to the local community in one of the most remote areas of Western Ireland.
  4. The Circle of Infinity by Stefano Rolando: Filmed in Dublin, this short offers a personal interpretation of Nietzsche’s eternal return idea, presented in a thrilling narrative.
  5. Style by Beta O’Dwyer: A captivating discussion on style at Dublin University, potentially leading to a new friendship.
  6. Served by Renee Walker: A suspenseful tale of a calculating woman serving her estranged husband a meal to remember, accompanied by unexpected divorce papers.

The accompanying photo gallery, skillfully curated by Chiara Provenzale, captures the essence of the event – the joy of filmmakers presenting their works and the audience immersed in the cinematic journey.

“Corto. Italy and Ireland in a Snapshot” proved to be a resounding success, showcasing the extraordinary talent and cultural convergence between Italy and Ireland. Our gratitude extends to the Istituto Italiano di Cultura for hosting this captivating evening and to Radio Dublino for their unwavering commitment to promoting cultural diversity through the art of cinema. As we eagerly anticipate next year’s edition, we look forward to diving once again into the compelling stories and magic of Italian-Irish cinema.

Corto. Italy and Ireland in a snapshot

  • Title: Corto. Italy and Ireland in a snapshot
  • Event date: Wednesday 31 January 2024, 19:00 (Local time)
  • Place: Istituto Italiano di Cultura, Pavilion Hall, Dublin
  • Opening: Maurizio Pittau
  • Panel Moderator: Debora Lupi

The annual appointment with the finalists of the Italian Fusion Festival – Short Video Competition proposes a program of 6 short videos organised in Dublin by Radio Dublino, in partnership with the Italian Institute of Culture.

The Short Video Competition has been an integral part of the Italian Fusion Festival since its start in 2013 and aims to offer a spotlight to Italian-Irish film productions in Ireland wishing to showcase their works on several platforms. The artists involved, mainly Italian and Irish, express a true artistic fusion of elements of both cultures. The directors of the short videos will be at the event, and they will present their videos.


Short Videos

The Return by Chiara Viale

This short is a contemporary interpretation of the poem The Return by John Francis O’Donnell (1837-1874).

A Drinking Pub With A Music Problem by Claire Issartel

It is a short documentary about the pub The Cobblestone and its role in Dublin.

Renvyle by The Sea by Jan Sisley and Silvana Benedetto

The short film is an experimental poetic short documentary where directors give voice to
local people of one of the most remote areas in the West of Ireland.

The Circle of Infinity by Stefano Rolando

Circle of Infinity is a short film filmed in Dublin, and it is a personal interpretation of Nietzsche’s eternal return idea.

Style by Beta O’Dwyer

A discussion at Dublin University about Style… and maybe about a new friendship.

Served by Renee Walker
A calculating woman cooks her estranged husband a meal to die for and serves him with divorce papers. He arrogantly obliges, believing that he has the upper hand. But she has other plans.


Participation at the event is free of charge, but registration is compulsory.

Registration: https://iicdublino.esteri.it/en/gli_eventi/calendario/corto-italy-and-ireland-in-a-snapshot-serata-finale-del-concorso-per-cortometraggi-dellitalian-fusion-festival-2023/