(ANS – Rome) – On May 20, the “Don Bosco” Cinema Theatre in Rome hosted the closing event of the second edition of Alice Through the Screen (Alice attraverso lo schermo), a project promoted by the Salesian Cultural Center and dedicated to media literacy and film appreciation in schools.

The initiative involved more than 3,000 children between the ages of 3 and 10 from 22 schools through a program that included training sessions, creative workshops, guided screenings, and opportunities for discussion. The project’s goal was to educate the younger generation — the so-called “Screen Generation” — in the mindful use of media by developing critical thinking, emotional sensitivity, and empathy.

During the final event, the short films created by the students under the guidance of industry professionals were screened. Through this experience, the children became active participants in the creative process, learning to understand the language of cinema and reflect on the emotions evoked by images.

“The Don Bosco system is a preventive educational system,” explained Fabio Zenadocchio, Director of the Salesian Cultural Center, “and the medium of film fits perfectly within our tradition.” In a context where images constantly reach young people through countless devices, the project — promoted by the Italian Ministries of Culture and Education and Merit — provided tools for critically analyzing audiovisual content and protecting oneself from the risks of continuous, unmediated media exposure.

The event’s patron was actress, director, and voice artist Pilar Fogliati, also known for voicing the character “Anxiety” in Disney’s Inside Out 2. Speaking with the children, she emphasized the value of storytelling through images: “Cinema helps us understand our limits and find a vocabulary of images to express ourselves.” Shared viewing, she added, becomes an opportunity for dialogue and discussion, “a small symposium on the human issues that emerge from films.”

Among the project’s primary objectives, as highlighted by Claudia Giuliano, coordinator of Alice Through the Screen, was the development of empathy: helping children recognize their own emotions while watching audiovisual content and understand the emotions of others. The short films creatively explored themes such as inclusion, friendship, courage, teamwork, respect for creation, and anti-bullying.

Particularly significant was the workshop led by director Margherita Giusti, who guided the children in discovering the creative process behind filmmaking while also teaching the value of patience, waiting, and technical awareness. “When we understand how things work,” she observed, “we are no longer afraid of them, but instead learn to master them.”

The project stands as an educational experience deeply rooted in the Salesian spirit: a journey of human and cultural growth that uses the language of cinema to help young people develop their identity, critical thinking, and interpersonal skills.

Source: Vatican News – Eugenio Murrali