The United Arab Emirates recently hosted the inaugural Italian-Emirati film festival, “La Dolce Via Festival,” aimed at empowering Emirati creatives and talents through specialized training delivered by leading Italian industry experts. This milestone event involved significant participation from the Italian Embassy in the UAE and the Consulate General of Italy in Dubai, with notable attendance from Deputy Head of Mission Giacomo Bonaiuto and Consul General Eduardo Napoli. The festival celebrated its opening with the presentation of an award to His Excellency Mohammed Al-Mar, Chairman of the Mohammed bin Rashid Library, alongside Italian consul Dr. Muthanna Al-Duwayhi, major contributors like Thuria Al Awadi and Roberta Calarisi, and special guests Gabriello Mainetti and Alessandro Preziosi.
Festival Overview
The “La Dolce Via Festival,” launched by Benedetta Paravia and supported by the A.N.G.E.L.S. Foundation – the National Italian Solidarity Energy Association (APS) – is dedicated to nurturing young Emirati creatives and university talents. This initiative aspires to connect a new generation with Italian cinematic culture while fostering the development of a national cinema hub in the UAE, driven by Emiratis. The festival encourages collaborative projects and co-productions between Italy and the UAE, offering undergraduate and graduate students from arts, design, and communication disciplines an enriching educational pathway led by experts from the Italian film industry.
Engaging Activities
Held from November 24 to 26, the current edition of the festival saw participation from students from various Emirati universities, with the American University in the Emirates playing a prominent role. Students actively engaged with filmmaker and producer Gabriello Mainetti during an advanced workshop at the Abu Dhabi Cultural Complex and the Mohammed bin Rashid Library, where they explored his trilogy alongside other specialized workshops designed for them. The presence of actor Alessandro Preziosi further captivated the emerging talents.
Strategic Collaboration
On November 19, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the American University in the Emirates, represented by its President and Founder, Professor Muthanna Abdul Razak, and the A.N.G.E.L.S. APS, represented by Deputy President Benedetta Paravia. This agreement aims to develop specialized advanced training programs in the cinema sector, allowing media and design students to enhance their professional growth through distinguished educational paths in Italy, under the framework of the “La Dolce Via Festival.” This marks the fourth agreement signed by Benedetta Paravia as part of her continuous efforts in this realm.
Vision for the Future
Benedetta Paravia, the festival’s founder and director, expressed her commitment, saying, “Since my arrival in the UAE in 2002, I have seen it as my duty and honor to contribute to the development of this extraordinary country through Italian expertise. I have launched initiatives to support localization, fully aware of the importance of this national project. Today, I am focused on empowering today’s students to achieve the Golden Lion in Venice as directors, producers, or actors. The UAE is rich with exceptional talents that deserve encouragement and guidance towards advanced cinematic education.”
The “La Dolce Via Festival” stands as a significant milestone in cultural and cinematic relations between Italy and the UAE, marking the first film festival established between the two nations and paving the way for future collaborations and creative endeavors.
For more information, visit www.ladolceviafestival.ae.