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La Dolce Via Festival Launches Second Edition in UAE
La Dolce Via Festival: Italy and the United Arab Emirates Renew Their Cooperation to Support Young Cinema Talents
Under the motto “Empowering the Emirati Creatives and Talents”, the second edition of La Dolce Via Festival took place in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, with the aim of promoting excellence in film education and strengthening cultural cooperation between Italy and the United Arab Emirates.
This year’s edition welcomed a distinguished line-up of guests, including Italian film producer Marco Morabito, actress Eleonora Pieroni and renowned international guest Joaquín Cortés, the celebrated Spanish flamenco dancer and one of the leading figures of contemporary flamenco. In September, Cortés was awarded the rank of Officer of the Order of the Star of Italy during a ceremony held at the Italian Embassy in Madrid.
The festival was founded by Benedetta Paravia, organised through the initiative of A.N.G.E.L.S. APS – the National Association of Youth and Supportive Energies for Solidarity, a Social Promotion Association.
Its mission is to introduce Emirati university students to Italian film culture and create opportunities for exchange and cooperation among professionals, institutions and creative talents. The initiative aims to contribute to the development of an Emirati film industry driven by local talent, while encouraging partnerships, joint projects and co-productions between Italy and the UAE.
The second edition was hosted across two venues. The Cultural Foundation of Abu Dhabi welcomed the opening ceremony , while the American University in the Emirates (AUE) hosted the activities in Dubai.
The initiative was organised in cooperation with the Embassy of Italy in the United Arab Emirates, with the participation of the Italian Cultural Institute in Abu Dhabi, which joined the institutional partners this year to further promote Italian culture and strengthen its presence in the UAE.
Following the opening ceremony, the festival awards were presented. The award, named “Emitalía”, is a sculpture depicting a young female student looking towards the future without forgetting the past. Its name combines the words “Emirates” and “Italy”, with the second “i” carrying the emphasis, in accordance with Emirati pronunciation.
Film Training Led by Leading Italian Professionals
The programme involved students from Zayed University in Abu Dhabi, particularly from the College of Arts and Creative Industries, as well as students from different faculties of the American University in the Emirates, all sharing an interest in cinema and the creative industries.
The activities included advanced masterclasses in film production and specialised workshops in production and acting, giving participants the opportunity to engage directly with Italian experts and gain deeper insight into the skills and professional competencies required to work in the audiovisual industry.
Italian guests Marco Morabito and Eleonora Pieroni received an enthusiastic welcome from the students, who had the opportunity to learn first-hand about the creative, production and artistic pathways that shape contemporary cinema.
From the First Edition to Stronger Institutional Cooperation
The first edition of the festival welcomed director and producer Gabriele Mainetti and actor Alessandro Preziosi, who led meetings and training activities specifically designed for students. Their participation helped establish the initiative’s educational dimension by creating opportunities for direct interaction between young Emirati talents and highly experienced and internationally recognised Italian professionals.
Following the launch of the first three cooperation initiatives with public universities in the UAE, the partnership took another important step forward on 19 November 2025, with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the American University in the Emirates, represented by its President and Founder, Professor Muthanna Ghazi Abdul Razzaq, and A.N.G.E.L.S. APS, represented by its Vice President, Benedetta Paravia.
The agreement aims to develop advanced training and specialised professional development programmes in the film industry, providing students with opportunities for professional growth, including participation in training experiences and programmes in Italy as part of the activities associated with La Dolce Via Festival.
Cinema as a Tool for Growth and International Dialogue
The festival was launched under the patronage of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Italian Ministry of Culture, the Italian Ministry of Tourism and the Lazio Region, with the support and endorsement of the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and in cooperation with the Embassy of Italy in Abu Dhabi, headed by Ambassador Lorenzo Fanara, the Consulate General of Italy in Dubai and the Italian Cultural Institute in Abu Dhabi.
In a message addressed to the organisers on the eve of the festival, Italian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Edmondo Cirielli, stated:
“Culture and cinema represent extraordinary tools for dialogue between peoples, transcending borders and opening up new opportunities for younger generations. The second edition of La Dolce Via Festival embodies the strong friendship between Italy and the United Arab Emirates and our shared commitment to investing in talent, creativity and education. Italy, with its rich cinematic heritage, is delighted to be part of this journey towards growth and stronger cultural cooperation. I extend my warmest wishes to the organisers and to all the young people taking part in this important initiative.”
As it concludes its second edition, La Dolce Via Festival further strengthens its position as a platform for cultural and educational cooperation between Italy and the United Arab Emirates, using cinema as a tool for education, dialogue and the creation of new professional opportunities.
In her closing statement, Festival Director Benedetta Paravia said:
“I am also working this year to help an Emirati film production reach the red carpet of one of Italy’s major film festivals. Every country must invest in its own creative talents and give them the opportunity to develop a national narrative rooted in Emirati values and traditions, while reflecting the country’s aspirations for the future.”
Benedetta Paravia: “Empowering Emirati Talent Is My Commitment”
In her opening address, Festival Director Benedetta Paravia expressed her gratitude to the institutional partners, guests and supporters who made the second edition possible:
“My heartfelt thanks to the Cultural Foundation of Abu Dhabi, the Italian Embassy, the Italian Cultural Institute, Zayed University, Senator Cinzia Pellegrino, our international guest Joaquín Cortés, producer Marco Morabito, actress Eleonora Pieroni and all of you for being here today.
I created La Dolce Via Festival because I believe the extraordinary creative talents of the UAE deserve greater opportunities in the film industry. While the Emirates have achieved excellence in so many sectors, I felt that cinema and its young talents deserved greater attention and more professional opportunities.
Through this festival, Italy offers its expertise and excellence to help Emirati students and aspiring filmmakers, producers and actors turn their passion into a profession, building on the strong friendship between our two countries.