Together, we bring the magic world of film to children in hospitals

Bari, Italy – June 2025 – Partners of the Film in Hospital project gathered in Bari for a meaningful three-day meeting, uniting representatives from eight European countries dedicated to supporting children and young people in hospitals through the power of cinema and creative digital tools.

The in-person exchange focused on how film and multimedia activities can play a role in the healing process of young patients. Partners presented their local experiences and shared practical methods that use both analog and digital tools to inspire imagination, expression, and emotional wellbeing.

Among the innovations presented were the PackMagic Magic Box, a hands-on activity featuring 3D cinematic content, and Graphinema, which allows children to explore the language of film in interactive ways. Another creative tool came from Post Neon collaboration, which offers a digital platform where young people can create virtual characters — giving them new identities, names, and the chance to meet others in shared virtual worlds. These creative expressions offer children in hospitals a unique way to process feelings and connect with others facing similar challenges.

“These meetings are incredibly valuable,” said one of the project partners. “They allow us to exchange experiences, learn from one another, and strengthen our collective mission to include vulnerable children in meaningful cultural activities.”

Research conducted in collaboration with Università Cattolica confirms that group-based film activities under the project Film in Hospital — especially those that include discussion and emotional reflection — significantly support children’s emotional states and can contribute positively to their recovery process.

Thanks to the support of the Creative Europe MEDIA Programme and national partners, Film in Hospital continues to expand its reach. The consortium expressed pride in the work being done and a strong commitment to continue bringing cultural and emotional enrichment to hospitalized youth across Europe.

🎬 On June 12–13, 2025, during the 7th Meeting of the Open Method of Coordination (OMC) Working Group of Member States’ Experts, held at the School of Public Health “Andrija Štampar” in Zagreb hosted by Croatian Ministry of Culture and Media, we proudly presented our project Film in Hospital — a pan-European initiative that connects film culture with pediatric care.

📍 The event focused on Priority B: Culture for the People, specifically the topic Culture and Health, under the EU Work Plan for Culture 2023–2026.

Film in Hospital — Connecting Children to Culture and Care

At the 7th OMC Working Group Meeting on Culture and Health in Zagreb, we presented Film in Hospital, a cross-border initiative bringing curated film experiences to children and young people in hospitals and recovery settings across 8 EU countries.

Our presentation emphasized how cinema can play a therapeutic, educational, and emotionally enriching role during hospitalization, supporting mental health, imagination, and social connection.

These goals strongly align with the CultureForHealth Report (2022) findings, which confirm that:

• Cultural participation improves well-being, especially among vulnerable groups.
• Film and digital storytelling are effective tools in mental health support.
• Cross-sectoral partnerships between health, education, and culture sectors are key to systemic change.

By integrating film literacy and emotional engagement into pediatric care, Film in Hospital embodies the CultureForHealth vision: culture as a social determinant of health and an enabler of more humane, inclusive healthcare environments.

Special Thank-you to Kornelia Kiss

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Kornelia Kiss for her inspiring introduction to our publication, Toolbox of Good Practice: Film in Hospital.

It was a pleasure to meet her during our presentation at the OMC Working Group on Culture and Health in Zagreb. Her thoughtful words and deep understanding of the cultural policy landscape have given our work valuable context and visibility at the European level.

👉 Read the Toolbox and see how film is making a difference for children and young people in hospitals across Europe.

Kornelia Kiss, Head of Research and Development at Culture Action Europe and  Co-author of the CultureForHealth report

Photo: Pia Sopta