NABA presents NABA Cinema Factory, a project conceived to foster dialogue around cinematic language and filmmaking as a creative practice, bringing together a conversation with a leading figure in directing and a showcase of the finest audiovisual projects produced by students from the Media Design and New Technologies and Set Design areas.
The programme will take place on 25 March at the Sala Excelsior of the Anteo Palazzo del Cinema in Milan (Piazza XXV Aprile, 8), with a public masterclass led by acclaimed Italian director Matteo Garrone, followed by a screening of a selection of NABA student short films — works that have earned recognition at some of the world's most prestigious film festivals or been awarded at the NABA Cinema Factory Awards.
The event is part of the NABA Public Programme, the Academy's calendar of initiatives open to the city, through which NABA continues to assert itself as a driving force for culture and creativity.
NABA Cinema Factory: the masterclass
During the masterclass, scheduled from 5:30 PM to 7 PM and moderated by Roberto Manassero, the director will reflect on his creative approach through the lens of his own filmography — from his early work, including L'imbalsamatore and Primo amore, through internationally acclaimed titles such as Gomorra, Reality, Tale of Tales, Dogman and Pinocchio, right through to the contemporary odyssey of Io capitano, which won the Silver Lion at the 80th Venice International Film Festival along with the Marcello Mastroianni Award for Best New Young Actor, and received nominations at both the Academy Awards and the Golden Globes.
Attendees will have the opportunity to explore the singular relationship Matteo Garrone builds with his cast, the narrative and visual construction of his stories, and, more broadly, the meaning and role that auteur cinema can still play in interpreting the world today. The event will also offer a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse into his sets, enriched by personal anecdotes, candid reflections, and previously unseen material.
Admission to the masterclass is free, subject to booking via the Anteo website.
NABA Cinema Factory: the short film screenings
From 7 PM to 8:30 PM, three student short films will be screened: At Least I Will Be 8,294,400 Pixels by Marco Talarico, which received the Best Technical Contribution Award at SIC@SIC 2024 (Settimana Internazionale della Critica) at the 81st Venice International Film Festival (2024); Largohen Dallëndyshet by Deni Neli, winner of the Pelliconi Award for Best Film at the Visioni Italiane 2025 festival at the Cineteca di Bologna, and presented out of competition at Alice nella Città (2024), the Ischia Film Festival (2025), and the Tirana International Film Festival; and Petrolia by Giulia Mancassola, winner of the Best Short Film Award at IBAFF, the Festival Internacional de Cine de Murcia (2025), and the Canais TVCine – Doclisboa, Green Years Award (2024), as well as being selected for the Tampere Film Festival (International Category), INTERFILM BERLIN – International Short Film Festival, and Festival dei Popoli. All three works explore themes of memory, roots, and identity through distinct visual languages and approaches.
During the evening, the short films recognised at the NABA Cinema Factory Awards will also be presented. Scheduled for 17 and 18 March at NOISE / Il Cinemino (Via Ascanio Sforza 49, Milan), the Awards celebrate the categories of Best Short Film, Best Short Animation, and the special WIFTMI Chantal Award, curated by Women in Film, Television & Media Italia. The awards in these categories — honouring the finest cinematic audiovisual projects created by students from the Media Design and New Technologies and Set Design Areas — are decided by a jury comprising the founders of NOISE / Il Cinemino: Agata Delaurentiis, Guido Casali, Giorgio Scorza, Icaro Campaniello, Davide Lo Re, and Gianluca Segale, with the special awards judged by Prem1ere Film and WIFTMI – Women in Film, Television & Media Italia. Many thanks to NOISE / Il Cinemino, MOOVIE, and Wacom for their support.
NABA Cinema Factory: the yearbook
All outstanding projects and highlights from the academic year will also be gathered in the bilingual Areas Yearbook, offering a comprehensive overview of participation in the sector's leading initiatives, collaborations with institutions and companies, and the awards and recognitions earned by students at national and international festivals.