(ANS – Giffoni Valle Piana) – Five days, five films, and countless emotions. At the 56th Giffoni Film Festival, a festival dedicated to children and young people, members of the Percorsi Creativi (“Creative Pathways”) jury enjoyed an experience that extended far beyond the movie screen. Twenty-two young members of the Cinecircoli Giovanili Socioculturali (CGS), a national association inspired by the Salesian movement and dedicated to promoting film culture, were the stars of a program that combined a passion for cinema with creative workshops and opportunities for friendship and community.

The young film enthusiasts came from the CGS clubs La Giostra (Cagliari), Taras (Taranto), XXI (Civitavecchia), Dorico(Ancona), and Don Bosco (Padua).

The films in competition—with directors and actors available to discuss their work—served as the starting point for analysis and discussion during the afternoon workshops. Guided by the CGS staff, the participants learned to interpret visual storytelling, cinematic language, and themes, developing a more critical and discerning perspective.

The participants also documented their daily experiences through a team competition that encouraged them to become storytellers and creators of social media content.

The experience concluded on Saturday, July 25, 2026, with the presentation of the 19th Percorsi Creativi Special Award. The award was presented to the two films selected by the juries in the Generator +15 y Generator +18 categories, along with the reading of the juries’ official citations explaining their selections.

The results were as follows:

As part of the 56th Giffoni Film Festival, the CGS – Cinecircoli Giovanili Socioculturali jury presented the 2026 Percorsi Creativi Award (19th edition).

In the Generator +15 category, the award went to Morten, directed by Ivan Pavljutskov, because it highlights the way the protagonist navigates interpersonal relationships, allowing teenage audiences to identify with him. The story is told from Morten’s perspective. An introverted and socially isolated young man, he feels out of place because of his family and financial circumstances. Through his passion for analog photography, he discovers safe spaces where he can reflect and overcome his insecurities.

Water and cranes serve as recurring symbolic elements, representing his constant search for a way out of emotional and existential despair. The camera gradually reveals the characters through shots from behind, soft focus, and frequent reflections in the marsh water—a setting that becomes a character in its own right and plays a central role in the story. The cinematography is carefully crafted, using dark tones to create a somber atmosphere, particularly in Morten’s home, reflecting his family’s troubled life. Only near the end do brighter colors and lighting underscore his growing confidence and personal development. The soundtrack, blending acoustic and electronic instruments, complements the visuals beautifully. Completing the protagonist’s emotional journey is Emilie, the spirit of the marsh, who symbolizes the deepest part of Morten’s inner self and ultimately must be released so that he can become a new person.

In the Generator +18 category, the award went to You Believe in Angels, Mr. Drowak?, directed by Nicolas Steiner, for effectively addressing complex themes such as loneliness, remorse, and self-destructive impulses through a dystopian lens while placing hope for redemption in the power of creativity. The mise-en-scène, built through the striking use of both color and black-and-white imagery to distinguish different timelines, together with inventive camera angles, dynamic camera movement, and carefully designed sound, creates a richly symbolic world that fully supports its dreamlike, almost horror-inspired sequences. The screenplay successfully conveys a wide range of emotions, while the careful development of the characters is further enhanced by the expressive performances and physical presence of the actors.

Organized through a grant from the Ministry of Culture’s Directorate General for Cinema and Audiovisual Media, and with the support of the CGS regional coordinating bodies in Sardinia and the Marche as part of their Sentieri di Cinema(“Cinema Pathways”) project, the Percorsi Creativi training camp was about much more than filmmaking. It fostered community, friendship, shared experiences, meaningful discussion, and personal growth.

Marta Rossi