Historic First! Vatican Makes Academy Awards History with Oscar Submission Bid!

For the first time in the 97-year history of the Academy Awards, the Vatican is poised to submit a film for Oscar consideration. The documentary short, titled “Green Lava,” is an inspirational production featuring Giacomo Mattivi, a young Italian man living with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

“Green Lava” is scheduled to premiere in Los Angeles this week, with screenings from September 18-24 at the Lumiere Music Hall in Beverly Hills. Following its theatrical run, the production team will complete the necessary paperwork for submission in the best documentary short film category. This submission marks a significant milestone as it will be the first time a film produced by the Vatican is in contention for an Academy Award.

It is important to note that while Vatican-produced, the film will not specifically represent the Vatican in the Oscar race. Unlike the international feature film category, short films do not require official submission or endorsement from a national government or a country-specific committee.

Directed by Lia Beltrami and Ali Aksu, “Green Lava” tells Giacomo’s story as he navigates life after the loss of his brother, Mattia, who also succumbed to Duchenne. The film’s synopsis highlights Giacomo’s defiance of societal expectations and his journey to find strength within his community and the surrounding natural world. Set against the stunning backdrop of the Dolomites, the 39-minute film is described in promotional materials as “a poignant meditation on independence, the human spirit and the transformative power of community in the face of adversity.”

Paolo Ruffini, who leads the Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication—responsible for the Vatican’s television, radio, online, publishing, and newspaper operations—expressed enthusiasm for the film. In a statement for Variety, Ruffini said, “Giacomo’s story deserves to be known by everyone, and that is why we are delighted about the opportunity to include ‘Green Lava’ in the Oscar submission process.” He praised the film as “a story that is a celebration of life and friendship,” emphasizing its message about the richness and vitality that the lives of individuals marked by illness can offer and inspire in others.

“Green Lava” was produced by director-producer Beltrami’s company, Emotions to Generate Change, in collaboration with Vatican News, Radio Vaticana, and Vatican Media. Beltrami, who lives in the same village as Giacomo and his family, shared her insights: “The people who live in the Dolomites, the mountains, are very special people who care and tend to their families and their communities.” She added, “It is beautiful to see in today’s world that the community has rallied around Giacomo, they treat him automatically with kindness and inclusion. It is my hope that the world will see this film and be inspired to be like the people of the mountains.”