Biennale College Cinema 2024-25: Four Final Projects Selected Across Six Countries

3 December 2024 | Source

Biennale College Cinema 2024-25 has selected four international projects, representing Italy, Kenya, Nigeria, Cambodia, USA, and India, for the production phase. The micro-budget films, supported with €200,000 each, will debut at the 2025 Venice Film Festival. Screenwriting workshops start December 4, followed by pre-production in January.

Venice Film Festival

Italy

The Biennale College Cinema has announced the four final projects selected for its 13th edition (2024-2025), showcasing an impressive array of global talent. The selected projects hail from Italy, Kenya, Nigeria, Cambodia, USA, and India, emphasizing the program's commitment to fostering diverse cinematic voices.

The selected projects are:

"Agnus Dei" (Italy) / Director: Massimiliano Camaiti; Producer: Giovanna Nicolai (2nd feature)
"1 Woman, 1 Bra" (Kenya/Nigeria) / Director: Vincho Nchogu; Producer: Josh Olaoluwa (1st feature)
"Becoming Human" (Cambodia/USA) / Director: Polen Ly; Producer: Daniel Mattes (2nd feature)
"Secret of a Mountain Serpent" (India) / Director: Nidhi Saxena; Producer: Vimukthi Jayasundara (2nd feature)

Each project will receive a €200,000 production grant from La Biennale di Venezia. Workshops for the selected teams begin with a screenwriting session from December 4-7, followed by pre-production workshops in January 2024.

Upon completion, the feature-length films will premiere at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival in 2025, continuing the program's legacy of spotlighting new talent.

In parallel, Biennale College Cinema will present two past projects at the 16th Kyoto Historica International Film Festival (December 3-8). These include:

"My Birthday" ("Il Mio Compleanno") / Director: Christian Filippi / Producer: Leonardo Baraldi, from the 12th Biennale College Cinema
"Vajont" / Director: Iolanda Di Bonaventura / Producer: Saverio Trapasso, from the 4th Biennale College Cinema Immersive

Both films will be screened at the Museum of Kyoto and other venues, with Q&A sessions and masterclasses featuring the directors.

The Biennale College Cinema, under the leadership of Director Alberto Barbera and Head of Programme Savina Neirotti, is supported by Italy’s Ministry of Culture and Creative Europe. It collaborates with the Gotham Film & Media Institute and TorinoFilmLab, reflecting its educational and developmental goals.