Short-video-competition-2024-winner

Winners Short Video Competition 2024

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We are happy to announce the winners of the Short Video Competition at the seventh edition of the Italian Fusion Festival, held on 27 November 2024 at the United Arts Club, Dublin. This competition has always been a cornerstone of our festival, spotlighting the creativity and cultural exchanges between Italy and Ireland through the art of film.

Winner: “Home Thoughts from Abroad: Italians in Ireland” by Declan Cassidy

The top honor goes to the thought-provoking and beautifully crafted documentary Home Thoughts from Abroad: Italians in Ireland, directed by acclaimed Irish filmmaker Declan Cassidy. Declan Cassidy is an award-winning Irish filmmaker with a rich background in storytelling that bridges cultural and social themes. A founding member of the Irish Film and Television Academy (IFTA Awards), Cassidy began his career in documentaries, earning acclaim for his explorations of environmental and cultural topics. Italians in Ireland, is a 15-minute documentary celebrating the lives and contributions of the Italian community in Ireland. It forms part of Home Thoughts from Abroad, a series documenting the experiences of non-Irish national communities living in Ireland.

Cassidy’s work has received international recognition, with his short film Whatever Turns You On qualifying for Oscar consideration in 2010 after it won awards at festivals around the world. Through his not-for-profit organisation, EurAV European Audio Visual CLG, he continues to champion media literacy and social inclusion, promoting understanding and collaboration across cultures. Cassidy has a particular love of all things Italian. He studied Italian culture at Trinity College Dublin.

The documentary touches upon the history of the Italian community in Ireland – from the post-war wave, who hailed from the Frosinone region, to the more recent arrivals, who come from all over the peninsula. Ambassador Paulo Serpi tells the myth of the lost Roman legion, numbering 5,000 – the number of Italians who were found to be living in Ireland in the first census. It features prominent members of the current Italian community in various walks of Irish life, teasing out the similarities and differences between Irish and Italian cultures.

Motivation

“Home Thoughts from Abroad: Italians in Ireland” is a beautifully executed documentary that offers a captivating and nuanced portrayal of the Italian community in Ireland. It traces its history from the post-war influx from Frosinone to the vibrant and diverse contributions of today’s arrivals from across Italy. Cassidy’s work stands out for its masterful storytelling and ability to seamlessly weave personal narratives, cultural history, and broader social themes. The documentary balances historical depth with contemporary resonance, featuring insights from prominent members of the Italian-Irish community. By exploring the intersections of Irish and Italian cultures, Cassidy highlights their unique qualities and shared values, fostering a deeper understanding of these rich traditions. The jury was particularly impressed by the documentary’s artistic quality and thoughtful treatment of themes such as migration, identity, and cultural exchange. With Home Thoughts from Abroad: Italians in Ireland, Declan Cassidy has created an engaging film and an artistic bridge that celebrates diversity and shared human experiences. This documentary embodies the spirit of the Italian Fusion Festival, making it a deserving winner of this year’s Short Video Competition.

Special Mentions

While Cassidy’s film took the top spot, two other standout entries deserve recognition. Both short videos feature the Italian actress Alicia Casu, who is based in Dublin.

“Family quality time” by Fergus Keane

A mother and daughter bond on a day out in town which takes a dark and sinister twist.

“The Choice” by Oisin Cregan

Mia, an aspiring actress, moves to New York, leaving her boyfriend Oliver in Ireland. Feeling unfulfilled, she returns to Ireland to see if Oliver still loves her. While he does, Mia faces a dilemma: she’s pregnant and must choose between staying in Ireland to raise the baby with Oliver, giving up her dream career, or returning to New York and letting go of her feelings for him.

Congratulations to all the filmmakers and crew who participated, and thank you for making this year’s competition a resounding success!

The award ceremony during the Italian Fusion Festival:

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The Italian Fusion Festival 2024– Short Video Competition

Short Video Competition 2024 – 7th edition

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The Italian Fusion Festival 2024– Short Video Competition

“Corto | Italy and Ireland in a snapshot”.

The short video competition has been integral to the Italian Fusion Festival since its start.

The aim is to spotlight international filmmakers in Ireland who wish to showcase their works on our platforms.

Entry is open to any short film made by Italian-Irish film productions. The films must include at least one Italian and one Irish cast/crew/director/writer/composer/editor/producer. We accept both unreleased and previously released short movies.

Deadline: Thursday, 21 November 2024

Duration of short films: up to 15 minutes.

Submission: Send an email to info@italianfusionfestival.com with a short bio and a description of the video. Your email should also include a YouTube or a WeTransfer link to your video(s).

The winner will be announced during the event and will be awarded a voucher.

All the videos shortlisted by our jury will also be advertised and made permanently available to the wider public on different platforms, such as the Italian Fusion Festival and Radio Dublino web pages and social networks.

Contact us for further information.

Corto 2024

Corto: A Cinematic Triumph Unfolds in Dublin

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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.

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Winners Short Video Competition 2023

Winners Short Video Competition 2023

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The Winner of the Sixth Edition of the Italian Fusion Festival – Short Video Competition is Served by Renee Walker.

Motivation: Served is a darkly delicious masterpiece that echoes Italian stereotypes and cunningly challenges gender roles and expectations. With vivid colours, clever use of camera shots and angles, a twisted plot, and a play on words, “Served” serves up a thrilling narrative that makes this a gem of storytelling.

The short video also won the Audience Award after a hard-fought week against the short video “A Drinking Pub With A Music Problem” by Claire Issartel. The main actress of “Served”, Maria Monteleone, accepted the awards.

“Renvyle by the Sea” by Jan Sysley and Silvana Benedetto won the Jury Award.

Motivation: “Renvyle by the Sea” is an enchanting portrayal of life in the remote West of Ireland which comes alive in the form of a poetic documentary, with its breathtaking ocean landscapes, authentic tales of perilous fishing, traditional melodies, and the pure and authentic voice of the locals. A harmonious blend of art and reality, it’s a profound ode to an extraordinary way of life.

Silvana Benedetto accepted the award.

 

IIF Video Finalists

Short Video Competition 2023 Finalists

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We are happy to present the finalists of the Short Video Competition 2023.  The winner will be announced during the event and will be awarded with a plaque and a small cash price. You can vote your favourite video at the end of the post for the Audience Award.

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. Renee Walker returned to college at 48 to study TV and Media Production. She has immersed herself in many creative projects through the years ranging from choreographing, design painting to being a singer and musician in a wide range of bands. She feels that all of these creative parts of her contribute to the bigger picture. “Art” in all its many forms intertwine and push forward each new stage of her development. Renee continues her persuit of bringing life to thoughts and ideas within the film-making community.

The Return by Chiara Viale

Chiara Viale is an Italian born writer, director and producer based in Ireland. After a degree in English as a Foreign Language and Literature in Milan, she went on studying screenwriting in Dublin and began making independent films. Since then she has written, directed and produced numerous short films. Her first Independent Feature Film ‘The New Music’, was released in 2021. She is co-founder of the Dublin based production company Built To Fail Productions.

A Drinking Pub With A Music Problem by Claire Issartel

Claire is a French writer, director and editor living in Dublin. She studied Theatre and Film at the University in France and moved to Dublin 6 years ago to study film. Since she has made several short-films as writer, director and editor. She shot ‘’ A Drinking Pub With A Music Problem’’ during Kino D event (48 hours Filmmaking challenge) in Dublin with Marco Griffini as a DOP and support in editing and Martin Brady in sound recording. A Drinking Pub with A Music Problem is a short-documentary about the pub The Cobblestone in Dublin.

Renvyle by The Sea by Jan Sisley and Silvana Benedetto

Jan Sisley was born in Tāmaki Makaurau, Aotearoa/New Zealand. She graduated with an M.A. from the Auckland University Film School. She has worked on documentaries, music videos, films and television while continuing to make short films of her own. Jan’s festival screenings include CON-TEMPORARY Art Observatorium in Venice, Winnipeg Underground Film Festival, Torino film festival, and as part of The One Minutes screening across Asia and Europe.

Silvana Benedetto was born in Albenga (Italy), but she moved to Ireland in 2008. Fascinated by everything about visual Arts, acting and music since she was a child, she started to be involved in film projects in Ireland in 2013, juggling between long hours in the office and sleepless nights learning lines, writing scripts, producing short films. Can’t wait to retire and focus on acting and documentary film making. Jan and Silvana shot together “Renvyle by the Sea” over two very stormy days in Connemara. It’s an experimental poetic short documentary where we gave voice to local people of one of most remote areas in the West of Ireland. This short documentary won an award as “Spirit of the Festival” at “Shot by the Sea Film Festival” in Galway.

The Circle of Infinity by Stefano Rolando

Stefano Rolando is originally from a small village near Domodossola (VB) and he has been living in Ireland since 2006.He studied at DAMS (Bo) and attended a 2 years filmmaking course at BCFE college in Dublin. He currently works as a digital compositor for EGG vfx. In his VFX career he had the chance to work for international projects as Game of Thrones, The Favourite, The Woman King, Good Omens.  Circle of infinity is the short film he made in 2011 as his personal graduation project at BCFE. It is a personal interpretation of Nietzsche’s eternal return idea. The short film was a no-budget project and it was entirely filmed, edited and directed by Stefano.

Style by Beta O’Dwyer

Geraldine, writing under the name of Beta, is new to filmmaking having made her first short in January of 2023. She is a qualified Accountant by profession. Style was filmed at the Kino Kabaret Dublin filmmaking festival in August in collaboration with Maria Etienne (DOP). Maria graduated from the University of Bologna in 2022 with a masters in cinema and moved to Dublin to pursue a career in the Arts.

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