Alumna Cecilia Palmeri to Release Documentary on Ocean Viking Rescue Mission
JCU Communications alumna and recently appointed lecturer Cecilia Palmeri traveled for two weeks on the Ocean Viking, a Norwegian humanitarian ship chartered by the SOS Méditerranée organization for the rescue of life at sea in the Mediterranean. While on board, Cecilia documented the crew’s humanitarian work through photo and video content, which she is currently editing into an upcoming documentary.
On November 26th, Cecilia witnessed the rescue mission of a boat with 48 people in distress (43 of which were minors). The boat was spotted in international waters, off the coast of Libya, and then taken to safety to Brindisi, Puglia.
Filming on the Ocean Viking
“My experience as a documentary filmmaker on the Ocean Viking was incredibly impactful, and it’s still hard to put into words,” said Cecilia. In September 2024, she was contacted by Factanza Media for a project with SOS Méditerranée and Kento, an Italian rapper involved in social causes. “When I received the call, I immediately knew I would cancel any other commitments,” she explained. “The theme of immigration is close to me, therefore, working on a rescue ship was an opportunity that I am extremely thankful for.”
Cecilia spent 16 days on board. The experience included training and the rescue mission of a boat in distress. “The rescue only lasted a couple of days,” she said. “It was incredible to see how weeks of preparation resulted in such a fast operation.”
The experience left Cecilia with strong emotions. “I’m grateful to have worked with the Ocean Viking team, whose professionalism and humility reflect their vital role in one of the most important missions of this century,” she explained. “On the other hand, having lived through the whole experience, I am now even more aware of the obstacles NGO ships have to face.” She added, “I can’t help but feel angry about the false narration that is often reported on this topic.”
The Documentary Project
Cecilia is currently working on editing the footage she filmed on the Ocean Viking. It will showcase the work of NGOs and the laws they have to adhere to, serving as “a guide against misinformation.”
Through this project, Cecilia wishes to pass on the message shared by a SOS Méditerranée employee: “We can debate laws on immigration and other issues that come with the post-rescue, but rescue at sea should never be up for discussion; it’s a fundamental human principle. And if you challenge someone’s right to life, you risk having your own right to life questioned in the future.”
Cecilia is now teaching Video Production at JCU. “I had been thinking about teaching video production for a while. Since I’m not far removed from being a student myself, I felt I could relate to the challenges new filmmakers face, especially in a hands-on field like videomaking,” she said. “I’m now teaching the very class that sparked my passion for documentary filmmaking, and I’m honored to share the same enthusiasm with my students.”
Cecilia Palmeri is a freelance video editor and documentary filmmaker from Treviso, Italy. She holds a double degree in Communications from the University of Milan and John Cabot University, and a diploma in Documentary Filmmaking from Prague Film School. She has directed and produced the short documentaries Two Cups of Tea (2024) and Swim Higher (2024), both of which have been distributed and have won awards in national and international film festivals.
