Filmmaker and producer Valentina Castellani-Quinn has been named Artistic Director of the Matera International Film Festival (MATIFF), where she unveiled a new programme designed to promote dialogue and understanding across borders.
The initiative, titled A Drop of Hope, uses film as a platform to foster empathy, reflection, and engagement around issues of peace, reconciliation and shared humanity. It was introduced in Matera – a UNESCO World Heritage Site and former European Capital of Culture – chosen for its historical role as a cultural crossroads.
Castellani-Quinn said the initiative was inspired by the work of The Parents Circle, a grassroots organisation made up of bereaved Israeli and Palestinian families who advocate for peace. She hopes to encourage audiences, particularly young people, to look beyond the fast-paced content of social media and reengage with storytelling as a force for change.
“Cinema today is one of the most powerful platforms for conveying ideas,” she said at the launch. “Through imagery and dialogue, it transcends boundaries and speaks directly to the soul.”
Bridging cultures through cinema
The A Drop of Hope programme is intended to support cultural diplomacy and interfaith understanding through carefully selected films and conversations. Castellani-Quinn, who lives between Europe and the United States, brings to the role a background in both independent film production and international cultural outreach.
This year’s edition of MATIFF featured over 100 international films, including Eleonor the Great, the directorial debut from Scarlett Johansson, and I Bambini di Gaza (The Children of Gaza), a documentary by Loris Lai and produced by Tarak Ben Ammar, which premiered at the Santa Barbara Film Festival and was awarded Best Feature at MATIFF.
Also screened was a newly restored colour version of Pier Paolo Pasolini’s Il Vangelo secondo Matteo (The Gospel According to Matthew), shown in its international premiere.
Positioning film as a cultural force
With Castellani-Quinn at the helm, MATIFF is placing itself at the intersection of creativity and conscience, reflecting a growing trend among international festivals to take on social and humanitarian issues.
Her vision for the programme extends beyond this year’s festival, with plans to involve global partners, educators, and cultural organisations in future editions.
“Peace does not begin in politics,” she said, “it begins in the human heart—and often, it begins with a story.”
As geopolitical tensions remain high in many parts of the world, A Drop of Hope aims to remind audiences of the unifying power of film, and the importance of platforms that prioritise listening, shared experience, and human connection.
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