The Italian Fusion Festival is proud to announce the winners of its 8th Edition Short Video Competition, which were revealed yesterday evening during the festival.
This year marked a significant milestone for the competition, as it expanded its eligibility for the first time beyond Irish productions with Italian cast or crew members to include all Italian filmmakers living abroad. This evolution has enriched the competition with fresh perspectives and diverse storytelling voices from the worldwide Italian diaspora.
The Winner: Coming Back by Alessio Rupalti
Coming Back, directed by Alessio Rupalti, has been awarded the top prize in this year’s competition – a deeply deserved recognition for a film that masterfully captures the complexities of family, identity, and political division.
Why Coming Back Won
Set in the aftermath of Britain’s Brexit vote, Coming Back follows William as he returns home to confront his father about the referendum results. Their opposing political views become a catalyst for reopening old, unhealed family wounds, ultimately revealing how love can hide behind the most unexpected choices.
What makes this 11-minute drama exceptional is its ability to root a deeply personal family story within a broader political context without losing sight of the human emotions at its core. Written by celebrated British screenwriter Ivor Baddiel, the film demonstrates how political moments become personal, and how family divisions mirror societal fractures.
Rupalti, an award-winning director who founded Cliffs Films in London in 2018, has dedicated his career to creating meaningful and original stories through short films. Coming Back premiered at the Rome Film Festival and has won multiple international awards, screening at festivals worldwide.
The director moved to London in 2018 specifically seeking new creative challenges. As he explained in a past interview, “I wanted to show what I can do outside my home country”. His experience arriving in post-Brexit Britain, surrounded by confusion and passionate debate, inspired him to create cinema that doesn’t merely entertain but tells meaningful stories about important historical moments.
Coming Back embodies the very essence of the Italian Fusion Festival’s mission – it is a bridge between cultures, a dialogue between Italian and British perspectives, and a testament to how shared storytelling can illuminate our common humanity even amid division.
Jury Prize: It’s All About You by Kristina Tomic
It’s All About You, directed by Kristina Tomic, received the Jury Prize for its sensitive exploration of human connection and healing.
The film follows Kristina as she struggles with overwhelming pain, while her friend Graciela quietly offers support. As various people come and go – each bringing kindness in their own way – Kristina slowly begins to feel whole again. The film concludes with Dorian’s arrival in a final moment of reflection, leaving the audience to interpret his purpose and meaning.
Tomic is a Croatian-Italian actor and director based in Dublin whose work explores the depths of human connection. She has collaborated with filmmakers from China, the United States, Italy, Mexico, Kenya, India, and Uruguay, and her short films have been recognized internationally, screening at festivals throughout the United States, South America, Europe, and the United Kingdom.
Special Mention: Empty Shells by David Austin
Empty Shells, directed by David Austin, received a Special Mention for its thought-provoking blend of science fiction and metaphysical mystery.
Set in a world where teleportation is becoming commonplace, the film follows two friends who must uncover the truth about the soul’s journey – before it’s too late. This ambitious concept challenges viewers to contemplate the nature of human consciousness in an increasingly technological world.
Austin is a filmmaker currently based in Brighton, UK, who describes himself as someone who “enjoys entering other dimensions” – a fitting description for a director willing to tackle such profound philosophical questions through the lens of speculative fiction.
A Celebration of Global Italian Creativity
The 8th Edition of the Italian Fusion Festival Short Video Competition reaffirms the festival’s commitment to celebrating cooperation, dialogue, interaction, and cultural exchange. These three exceptional films, each unique in style and subject matter, demonstrate the richness and diversity of contemporary Italian filmmaking both in Ireland and across the global Italian creative community.
We extend our warmest congratulations to all three filmmakers and our sincere thanks to everyone who submitted their work. Your contributions continue to elevate the artistic spirit of our festival and strengthen the bridges between Irish and Italian culture.
