The 16th Matera Sport Film Festival will take place from November 20 to 22, with a program exploring the cultural and social role of sport through films and personal accounts. The event is organized by Matera Sports Academy and has artistic direction from Michele Di Gioia.
A key program feature is the Italian premiere of Swim Sistas, a documentary short directed by Cat White. It follows four Black British women from different generations and addresses identity, resilience and solidarity among women. The film is narrated by Oscar-nominated actress Naomie Harris and distributed by Walter Nicoletti’s Voce Spettacolo. It is also the focus of a campaign ahead of the 99th Academy Awards, in the documentary short film category.
Carlo Paris will again chair the festival jury. Among its members is Montaser Marai, director of Al Jazeera 360. RAI Sport will join the event as a media partner.
Di Gioia said the festival aims to strengthen its international profile and create more opportunities for cinema, sport and journalism to meet, while promoting the local area and its professionals and making Matera more attractive to international film productions.
Sources: ANSA Cultura.