Italian cinema is trying to raise awareness on the issues of migrants in the country. Short films about migrant communities are competing for the MigrArti award, presented at the 74th Venice Film Festival.
The MigrArti award was created by the culture ministry to promote intercultural dialogue through film projects focusing on immigrant communities in Italy.
Some 23 short films are up for competition at this year's Venice Film Festival (August 31 - September 9). They were selected from among 237 submitted as part of the wider ministry project.
Film about 'new Italians'
The films showcase the daily life of 'new Italians' and their integration process. ''At a time when the government is trying in such a determined manner to fight illegality linked to migration flows, we also have the duty to try to explain the principle of reception to help the integration of those who come to this country and who abide by our rules and laws,'' Culture Minister Dario Franceschini said, speaking at the presentation of the award in Venice.
The winner of the award will be announced on September 9.
A competition was held in Italian fine arts high schools and technical institutes for the logo of the award, which is made out of wood from the migrant boats that have arrived on Lampedusa, south of Sicily. The winner was Viktoria Tribus from the Merano fine arts high school in the Bolzano province in northern Italy.