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Italy Reads Archive: ITALY READS STUDENT VIDEO CONTEST

PAST WINNERS

Past winners of this award have used these funds to defray the cost of class instructional visits in Italy and abroad, make a donation to their school library on behalf of the class or to subsidize an end-of-year dinner together.

Over the past 10 years, more than 350 JCU students have become qualified Italy Reads Volunteers. They engaged high school students in class discussions in English, at Italian and International high schools in Rome and surrounding cities.

Italy Reads has grown from 20 to 200 teachers of English, and from 17 to over 65 high schools in Rome and nearby cities. This means that approximately 4000 Italian high school students each year are joining together to read, discuss and share ideas about a selected work of American literature, all in English!    

John Cabot University's Italy Reads Program is proud to play a role in stimulating creativity and enthusiasm in students through the study of language and literature.

2022 Winners

Videos inspired by the book Summer on the Lakes in 1843 by Margaret Fuller. 

Videos (25) submitted for the competition were produced by 250 students at 7 Italian high schools in Rome, Civitavecchia, Terni, and Foggia. 

  • 1st Place (500 Euro) was awarded to Margaret Fuller's Life, by students of Prof. Andrea Ridolfi, Liceo Scientifico Statale “Giovanni Keplero,” Rome
  • 2nd Place (300 Euro) was awarded to Conversation with Margaret Fuller, by students of Prof. Marina Schiaroli, IIS Classico Artistico – Liceo Classico “G.C. Tacito,” Terni
  • Honorable Mention for Educational Strength was awarded to Women’s Role Over Time, by students of Prof. Giuseppina Santoro, Istituto Magistrale Statale “Giordano Bruno,” Rome
  • Honorable Mention for Video Editing Skills was awarded to A Different Woman, by students of Prof. Anna Mastrolito’s students at Liceo “A. Volta,” Foggia
  • Honorable Mention for Research on Social Issues was awarded to The Role of Women Over Time, by students of Prof. Loredana Quinto, Istituto Magistrale Statale “Giordano Bruno,” Rome

2021 Winners

Videos inspired by the book Beetlecreek by William Demby. 

Videos (31) submitted for the competition were produced by 280 students at 14 Italian high schools in Rome, Civitavecchia, Sabaudia, Pomezia, and Canicattì. 

  • 1st Place (500 Euro) was awarded to "Beetlecreek" Chess, by students of Prof. Neda Tempera, IIS "Torricelli," Rome2nd Place (300 Euro) was awarded to The Colours of Friendship, by students of Prof. Elisabetta Ranieri, Liceo Scientifico "Morgagni," Rome
  • Honorable Mention for Originality of Concept was awarded to Be-socialcreek, by students of Prof. Maria Bellucci, IIS Torricelli, Rome
  • Honorable Mention for Video Technical Quality was awarded to A Desire for Change, by students of Prof. Anne-Marie Peduto, IIS B. Pascal, Pomezia
  • Honorable Mention for Creative Reinterpretation was awarded to Sinking in Memories, by students of Prof. Annamaria Sartori, IIS "Croce Aleramo," Rome
  • Honorable Mention for Research on Social Issues was awarded to Women's Discrimination at Work, by students of Prof. Loredana Quinto, IMS "Giordano Bruno," Rome

2020 Winners

Videos inspired by the book Silent Spring by Rachel Carson. 

Videos (28) submitted for the competition were produced by 198 students at 8 Italian high schools in Rome and Milan. 

  • 1st prize (€ 500): Chimera, by students of Professor Rita Gatti at Liceo Scientifico "Tullio Levi Civita", Rome
  • 2nd prize (€ 300): Pollution Lifestyle, by students of Professor Loredana Quinto, IMS Giordano Bruno, Rome
  • Honorable Mention for Thought-Provocation: A Fable for Today, by students of Professor Monica Rizzo at ISS Niccolò Machiavelli, Rome
  • Honorable Mention for Motion Graphics: Ecoland - a new World, by students of Professor Anita Sparacio at Liceo Scientifico Statale "R. Donatelli - B. Pascal", Milan
  • Honorable Mention for Creative Concept: Silent Spring in the 21st Century, by students of Professor Andrea Ridolfi at Liceo Scientifico Giovanni Keplero, Rome
  • Honorable Mention for Educational Strengths: Silent Spring, by students of Professors Eleonora Cruciani and Francesca Galli at IIS Niccolò Machiavelli, Rome.

2019 Winners

Videos inspired by the Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman. 

  • 1st prize (€ 500): Journey Through a Modern Man's (confused) Mind, by the students of Class V EE, Professor Laura Galante at Liceo Classico Europeo Marco Foscarini, Venice
  • 2nd prize (€ 300): Praise life!, by the students of Class V E, Professor Daniele Funaro, Licei Vittoria Colonna, Rome
  • Honorable Mention for Best Script: Looking for Life, by the students of Class 4 N, Professor Marinella Putano Bisti and Professor Annunziata di Dea at Liceo Classico Sperimentale Statale Bertrand Russell, Rome
  • Honorable Mention for Originality of Concept and for using Whitman's criteria to describe a place: My Rome by the students of Class 4N, Professor Marinella Putano Bisti and Professor Annunziata di Dea at Liceo Classico Sperimentale Statale Bertrand Russell, Rome
  • Honorable Mention for bringing one of Whitman's key ideas into a different context using a clear and well-timed narrative: Why should you not speak to me? by the students of Class IV E, Professor Elisabetta Ranieri at Liceo Scientifico Statale Morgagni, Rome

2018 Winners

Italy Reads 2018 Student Video Contest Award winners were:

  • 1st prize (€ 500): The Lame Shall Enter First, by the students of Class IV A, Professor Gatti at IIS Leopoldo Pirelli.
  • 2nd prize (€ 300): I Confess I Love, by the students of Class V B, Professor Guaia, Liceo Benedetto da Norcia.
  • Honorable Mention for Best Script: Interviewing Flannery O'Connor, by the students of Class IV A, Professor Scarnecchia at Liceo Statale Sperimentale Bertrand Russell.
  • Honorable Mention for Artistic Interpretation: A dance: an act of grace for Good Country People by the students of Class IV C, Professor Gatti, IIS Leopoldo Pirelli.
  • Honorable Mention for Best Setting: Alexander's Dream by the students of Class IV C, Professor Cessari at Liceo Scientifico "Francesco Sbordone", Napoli.
  • Honorable Mention for Best Atmosphere: Crossing Paths by students in Class V O of Professor Rizzo at Liceo Linguistico Niccolò Machiavelli.
  • Honorable Mention for Originality: The Lame Shall Enter First by the students in Class IV B of Professor Sterpetti at IIS Leopoldo Pirelli.
  • Honorable Mention for Outstanding Casting and use of the camera: Loss of Innocence by students of Class V E, Professor Ridolfi at Liceo Scientifico Giovanni Keplero.

2017 Winners

Italy Reads 2017 Student Video Contest Award winners were:

  • 1st Place Prize (€500): With Words Comes Freedom, by Professor Giuliana Lilli's students at Liceo Bertrand Russell.
  • 2nd Place Prize (€200): for I'm Not Afraid to Know, by Professor Stefania Caprioli's students at Liceo Scientifico J.F.Kennedy.
  • Honorable Mention for Best Concept and Directing: for To See Her Is a Picture, Professor Lucioli's students at Liceo Aristofane.
  • Honorable Mention for Best Lighting: for Waves of Consciousness, by Professor Papacchini's students at Liceo Immanuel Kant.
  • Honorable Mention for Best Choreography: for Will There Really Be a Morning?, by Professor Zumbo's students at Liceo Bertrand Russell.
  • Honorable Mention for Best Composition, Audio (Vocal Track), and Editing: for Blossoming, by Professor Ciaffaroni's students at Liceo Augusto.
  • Honorable Mention for Best Mise-en-scene: for Silence Is Really Loud, by Professor Caprioli's students at Liceo J.F. Kennedy.
  • Honorable Mention for Best Acting: for Fantasies of Reality (this video is a tribute to Ezra Pound) by Professor Caronna's students at Liceo Dante Alighieri.
  • Honorable Mention for Best New Media Interpretation: for Same Day, Same Fades... Emily Dickinson, by Professor di Forenza's students at Liceo Vittoria Colonna.

2016 Winners

Italy Reads 2016 Student Video Contest Award winners were:

  • 1st prize (€ 500): The Glass Menagerie, by Professor Andrea Ridolfi's students in Class 5H, Liceo Scientifico Giovanni Keplero of Rome, awarded for originality of filmmaking technique.
  • 2nd prize (€ 200): Chained, by the students of Professor Silvana Calvanese and Professor Angela Pastore in 5B and 5C, Liceo Scientifico Carlo Pisacane of Padula, awarded for the original adaptation of the play.
  • 3rd prize (€ 100): Second Chance, by Professor Grazia Maria Bertini's students in Class 5M, Liceo Ginnasio Statale Virgilio, awarded for the original interpretation of one of the key themes of the play.
  • Honorable Mention - No Need to Hide, by Professor Antonella Guaia's students in Class C, Liceo Classico Benedetto da Norcia, Rome
  • Honorable Mention - The Reunion, by Professor Marinella Putano Bisti's Class 4M, Liceo Classico Statale Sperimentale Bertrand Russell, Rome
  • Honorable Mention - The Glass Menagerie, by Professor Flaminia Micciolo's Class 4I, Liceo Classico Statale Sperimentale Bertrand Russell, Rome

2015 Winners

Italy Reads 2015 Student Video Contest Award winners were:

  • First Place Award (€500) - The Bluest Eye Book Trailer by Professor Elisabetta Ranieri's 4F Class at Liceo Scientifico G.B. Morgagni. Judges commented: "For its original, appropriate and playful use of computer gaming in recreating the novel's characters, setting and narrative. Its use of sound was accurate at replicating the novel's gloomy mood."
  • Second Place Award (€300) - shared by two classes: My Mute Shout by Professor Alessandra Tedeschini's 5AL Class at Liceo Immanuel Kant, Rome. Judges commented: "This is an interpretation of the novel through different original choices (black and white, the piano score, and a series of events that are turned backwards). There is great attention to detail, as in the young woman's makeup."
  • Second Place Award - The Bluest Eye by Professor Cinzia Cetraro's 5D Class, the "PSG9 Group", at Liceo Scientifico Isaac Newton, Rome. Judges commented: "This video made use of charming visuals, a moving soundtrack, and a vibrant voice-over."
  • Honorable Mention - The Bluest Eye  by Professor Rita Gatti's IV-L Class at Liceo Linguistico Leopoldo Pirelli di Roma. Judges commented:  "This entry is notable for its particular choice of using original drawings to tell Pecola's story in a concise way. The original artwork was simple but meaningful and essential. The voice-over also contributed to a smooth narration."
  • Honorable Mention - Goodbye Little Dumpling by Professor Antonella Nifosi's V-D Class at Liceo Keplero, Rome. Judges commented: "This video was produced with careful research of photographs and appropriate reading choices. The soundtrack and voice-over fit in nicely."
  • Honorable Mention - An opposite world...how would it be?by Professor Claudia Caccio's 4-CL Class at Liceo Kant, Rome. Judges commented: "This is an interesting take on racism and its nature. The video employs many narrative tools from drawings to acting and interviews."
  • Honorable Mention - Shadows by Professor Cinzia Cetraro's 4-F Class at Liceo Scientifico Isaac Newton, Rome. Judges commented: "This video deserves mention for its contemporary approach that put the novel's major themes into today's social context to see how they relate to us and what kind of behavior they should prompt."

2014 Winners

Italy Reads 2014 Student Video Contest Award winners were:

  • First Place Award - €500, to be used by the class as they choose, goes to A Farewell To Arms, by students in Class IV–D, "The Chalkboard Group" (Professor Cinzia Cetraro), Liceo Isaac Newton, Rome. One of the judges commented: "In a word, this video is stunning . . . beautiful condensation of the complexities of the novel's story told in via the beautiful medium of animation. Truly a work of art. The students and teachers involved in making this video should be very proud of their work."
  • Second Place Award - €300, to be used by the class as they choose, goes to Curiosity increaseth knowledge - The enchantment of reading, by students of Class V-C, (Professor Maria Gabriella Gatti), Liceo Scientifico Archimede, Rome. One of the judges commented: "A beautiful video that not only champions the importance of reading but also depicts a significant aspect of Hemingway's novel. A first rate telling of a multi-layered story in a brilliantly concise way."
  • Honorable Mention - Acid rain, by students at The Swiss School of Rome (Professor Yvette Manigold). One of the judges commented: "Truly a great work of interpretive art. Innovative, avant-garde and groundbreaking. A truly original and bold take on the novel. This video took artistic risks that paid off greatly. First rate."
  • Honorable Mention - Rain, by students of Class V, Liceo Scientifico S. Anna Falletti Di Barolo, Rome (Professor Francesca Minutello). One of the judges commented: "A very nice adaptation of the central themes of the novel into the present. This video makes Hemingway's novel clearly relevant to students of today."

2013 Winners

Italy Reads 2013 Student Video Contest Award winners were:

  • First Place (500 euro prize): The Namesake by students of Class 1 A, Liceo Classico at Liceo Immanuel Kant. Their teacher is Professor Alessandra Tedeschini.
  • Second Place (300 euro prize): Interview with Hyenas by students of Class 3 H, at Liceo Scientifico Statale “Innocenzo XII” in Anzio. Their teacher is Professor Fortuna Pappalardo.
  • Honorable MentionLet Me Be by students of Class 3 C at Liceo Immanuel Kant, Rome. Their teacher is Professor Claudia Francesca Cacciò.
  • Honorable Mention for Best ActingOne Hand, Five Homes by students of Class 5E at Chris Cappell College, Anzio. Their teacher is Professor Ida Balzano.

2012 Winners

Italy Reads 2012 Student Video Contest Award winners were:

  • For English language schools division, there was a tie between two classes. The 1st prize of 500 Euros was shared equally by: The Great Gatsby, submitted by students of the 9th year and their teacher Anna Madden at St. George's British International School Rome, and Shadows of a Page, submitted by students of the 12th year and their teacher Anna Madden at St. George's British International School Rome.
  • For Italian Licei division, the 1st prize of 500 Euros was awarded to: Two Sides of a Dream, submitted by students of the V-B and their teacher Fortuna Pappalardo at Liceo Scientifico Statale 'Innocenzo XII'.
  • Finalist in this category was awarded to The Great Gatsby, submitted by students of the IV-D and their teacher Cinzia Cetraro at Liceo Scientifico Statale 'Isaac Newton'.
  • Best Production DesignDreaming of Gatsby, submitted by students of the III-E and their teacher Antonella Guaia at Liceo Classico 'Benedetto Da Norcia'.
  • Best CinematographyBlack and White Dream,submitted by students of the IV-D and their teacher Marialuisa Garruba at Liceo Scientifico Statale 'Marcello Malpighi'.
  • Best Direction and Best EditingStay moment, you're beautiful - The Great Gatsby, submitted by students of the III-D and their teacher Rossella Manni at Liceo Ginnasio Statale 'E. Q.Visconti'.
  • Best ScreenplayInterview after Gatsby's Death, submitted by students of the V-CL and their teacher Claudia Cacciò at Liceo Ginnasio Statale 'Immanuel Kant'.
  • Best Actress, awarded to two students, one from each of the two divisions of the contest: Eleonor Carpigo from Shadows of a Page, St. George's British International School Rome, and Alessia Appignani, from Two Sides of a Dream, Liceo Scientifico Statale 'Innocenzo XII'.
  • Best Actor: Nikola Bialkov from Two Sides of a Dream, Liceo Scientifico Statale 'Innocenzo XII'.           
  • Best Supporting Actresses: 'The Yellow Girls' from Interview after Gatsby's Death, Liceo Ginnasio Statale 'Immanuel Kant'.
  • Best SceneryInterview after Gatsby's Death, Liceo Ginnasio Statale 'Immanuel Kant'.

2011 Winners

Italy Reads 2011 Student Video Contest Award winners were:

  • First Prize: Liceo “Newton,” Class IV-F, Prof. Cinzia Cetraro
  • Second Prize: Liceo “Newton,” Class III-D, Prof. Cinzia Cetraro
  • Special Prize for Exceptional Artistic Merit: Liceo “Innocenzo XII,” Class IV-B, Prof. Fortuna Pappalardo
  • Finalist: Liceo “Pascal,” Class III-C, Prof. Anne-Marie Peduto
  • Finalist: Liceo “Keplero,” Class IV-G, Prof. Antonella Nifosi