Italy Reads Student Video Contest Winners Announced
The winners of the 14th annual Italy Reads Student Video Contest were announced during an online award ceremony held on March 16, 2023. This event is the culmination of months of in-class lessons and discussions, meetings with JCU student mentors, public events, and theatrical performances offered by The English Theatre of Rome. All activities are in relation to the work of American literature selected for each year. This year, participants read Margaret Fuller’s Summer on the Lakes in 1843. For the video contest, students produce a 3-minute video inspired by the work and the author.
John Cabot University Guarini Campus
Students from around Italy participate each year in one or more of the five Programs for High Schools offered free of charge to the community by John Cabot University. Students earn recognition for their work in these programs to satisfy their requirements for Percorsi per le Competenze Trasversali e per l’Orientamento (PCTO), a mandatory program that allows Italian high school students to gain practical work experience.
This year, approximately 250 students from seven schools in Rome, Civitavecchia, Terni, and Foggia participated in the production of the 25 videos submitted. The videos were selected by a jury composed of Dr. Katie Simon, an expert in Margaret Fuller and this year’s Keynote Speaker, Roberto Ronzulli, Coordinator of the JCU Media Lab video production and expert in video production, and Lily Serber, JCU visiting student and Italy Reads Volunteer Mentor.
Students who participate in the contest gain first-hand experience with the challenges of producing a brief, creative work. The selection criteria include artistic interpretation of the themes of the novel, acting ability, creativity in direction, and technical aspects of the video.
1st Place (500 Euro), Margaret Fuller’s Life
Prof. Andrea Ridolfi’s students at Liceo Scientifico Statale “Giovanni Keplero,” Rome
The judges commented: Great acting and connection to themes. The creativity of the map showing where the next scene will take place is a great add-on for the viewer to know the time and place of what is to come. The pacing of the video is right, it keeps the viewer interested throughout. There were no dull moments.
2nd Place (300 Euro), Conversation with Margaret Fuller
Prof. Marina Schiaroli’s students at IIS Classico Artistico – Liceo Classico “G.C. Tacito,” Terni
The judges commented: This video is super creative and different from the others. It has an outside-the-box approach to the acting and script. The acting is great, and the content is well-connected to the book’s themes. It’s nice to see all the students in the video. The way the video breaks down the complex ideas presented in Margaret Fuller’s book and make them accessible to a wider audience is effective.
Honorable Mention for Educational Strength, Women’s Role Over Time
Prof. Giuseppina Santoro’s students at Istituto Magistrale Statale “Giordano Bruno,” Rome
The judges commented: The video was both informative and thought-provoking. A powerful examination of women’s rights and violence against women.
Honorable Mention for Video Editing Skills, A Different Woman
Prof. Anna Mastrolito’s students at Liceo “A. Volta,” Foggia
The judges commented: Lovely pacing. Overall, the video is impressive and informative. Clearly, a good deal of time and effort was put into the project!
Honorable Mention for Research on Social Issues, The Role of Women Over Time
Prof. Loredana Quinto’s students at Istituto Magistrale Statale “Giordano Bruno,” Rome
The judges commented: The students who created this video went above and beyond on the research. While this video did not feature much acting, it was creative because it showcased a variety of educational research. The timeline toward the beginning of the video showing the role of women over time was effective. Students did an excellent job of summarizing the key themes and ideas in the book related to women’s rights and exploring their historical significance.
At the ceremony, students shared why they enjoyed making their video, and, along with their teachers, emphasized the importance of this interdisciplinary, multi-media approach to the study of literature.
Congratulations to all!
