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

The second edition of CineO’ – Film Festival in Hospital has concluded with touching and empowering ceremonies in both Croatia and Italy, proving once again that cinema can be a bridge between young people—even in the most challenging situations.

Held within pediatric hospitals, revalidation centres, and hospital schools, CineO’ enables children and youth to participate as active jurors in choosing the best European short films. Through online platforms children watched the films online and in person, then voted, debated, and celebrated together across borders.

🇭🇷 Croatian Ceremony – Zagreb, KBC Sestre milosrdnice

In Zagreb, the CineO’ team, led by Djeca susreću umjetnost, celebrated alongside children, parents, and hospital school staff.
🏆 Children’s Jury Award: “Koralji” (Italy)
🏆 Teachers’ Jury Award: “Ljeto iz svemira” (FKVK Zaprešić, Croatia)

Simona Sermazi received the award on behalf of the Croatian team and shared how the film was inspired by a summer without seaside trips—turning absence into creativity. Special thanks to Hrvatski filmski savez and the dedicated medical and educational teams.

🇮🇹 Italian Ceremony – Bari, Cinema Galleria, May 21

A joyful gathering took place at Cinema Galleria in Bari, where hospitalised children from local schools gathered for a special screening and debate program hosted by Rosa Ferro and teacher Angiola Piovani, supported by regional authorities and cultural educators.

🏆 Children’s Jury Award: “Coralli” (Italy)
🏆 Teachers’ Jury Award: “Coralli” (Italy)
🏆 Parents’ Jury Award:“Ljeto iz svemira” (FKVK Zaprešić, Croatia)

Dr. Ludovico Abbaticchio, Regional Guarantor for Children’s Rights, offered closing remarks highlighting the value of cultural participation for hospitalised youth.

CineO’ is more than a festival—it’s a platform of inclusion, creativity and empathy. Through carefully curated films, cross-cultural dialogue, and active engagement, we reaffirm that every child has the right to access and create culture, no matter their circumstances.

🌈 Thank you to all our partners in Italy and Croatia who make CineO’ possible.
#FilmInHospital #CineO #KidsMeetArt #InclusiveCinema #ChildrenHaveAVoice

After an uncertain competition, watching great films, discussions and voting, juries from Croatia and Italy have decided on the best. And this week they will announce their decisions to everyone. 🤩

We are eagerly awaiting the award ceremony:
🏅21.5., announcement of the winners of the Italian juries @ Cinema Galleria, Bari
🏅22.5., announcement of the winners of the Croatian juries @ KBC Sestre milosrdnice

CineO’ is a unique film festival in Europe that takes place within a hospital environment, in which hospitalized children and young people not only watch carefully selected films via the online platform filmubolnici.org and live in hospitals, but also participate as active members of the jury – together with parents, teachers and hospital staff. This innovative practice gives children and young people in vulnerable situations an equal voice in the creation of cultural content.

For those who haven’t had the chance to watch the films, don’t worry — the films are part of the Film in Hospital platform and are available to all hospitalized children and young people.

See you on the platforms! 🪄

We’re just a few days away from the new edition of Sweden’s BUFF, the festival that, together with us and Belgium’s JEF, launched the Film in Hospital platform and has been bringing fresh cinematic magic to children and young people across Europe for over 10 years.

The next edition is just around the corner, and the entire world of children’s and youth cinema will gather in Malmö, Sweden, to select the best of the best. Helping in this mission will be our very own Maja, the activity coordinator of the Film in Hospital project, who has the honor of being part of the ECFA jury at this year’s BUFF.

More updates on the winners coming soon, but until then, let’s follow BUFF on all platforms! 😊🎬

Pulica u kaputu, the winter program for children and young audiences organized by the Pula Film Festival and Kino Valli, once again made its traditional stop at the Film in Hospital platform and Pula General Hospital. Each year, our wonderful collaborator and Kino Valli program director, Nataša Šimunov, brings a touch of cinematic magic, and this year was no exception!

This time, Pulica u kaputu presented Todd and Super Stella, the latest winner of the ECFA Award for Best European Young Audience Documentary for Children. But that’s not all—the film was first screened in the pediatric ward of Pula General Hospital before a public screening at Kino Valli! With partners like these, spreading the magic of film is effortless.

For the next two months, the film will be available on filmubolnici.org for free to all hospitalized children and young audiences. Pulica u kaputu runs until March 9, 2025.

About the Film:

Stella hates anything she can’t do and dislikes things that hurt. It doesn’t help that her older brother, Todd, seems to excel at everything and always wants to compete. But being the biggest isn’t easy either—Todd is the slowest runner in his class and is too afraid to dive into the water. He tries to share his worries and fears with Stella, but she’s too young to understand. A humorous and heartfelt look at growing up, filled with fears, sibling rivalry, love, and failed ski trips.

The Film in Hospital project, organized by Djeca susreću umjetnost, is part of the Film in Hospital network through the Seventh Continent program.

Our European Film in Hospital family traditionally gathers twice a year, on our regular meetings, but we don’t miss a chance for a meet-up! This year’s Berlinale was one of those chances since most of partners came to see what’s new in the industry and to be inspired with films, people, energy and ideas.

Thanks to our German partners, Schlingel and its director, Michael Harbauer, we’ve had a productive meeting at the best location. One step closer in bringing film magic to hospitalized kids & youth all over the Europe!

Berlinale treated us well, looking forward to the next edition as well as to next opportunities to meet in person with Film in Hospital family.

The first training session for new Film in Hospital project collaborators was successfully held, organized by the association Djeca susreću umjetnost (Children Meet Art). The session was led by Edita Bilaver, president of the association and coordinator of the Film in Hospital project, alongside Marija Georgiev, program manager of the association; Maja Ogrizović, Film in Hospital program coordinator since 2023; Jana Šivak, program coordinator from 2014 to 2023; and Ana Marija Marinov, program facilitator and Film in Hospital administrator.

Participants were introduced to project workflows, relevant documentation, and essential materials to ensure a full understanding of the initiative. With this dedicated team, Film in Hospital is ready for new expansions, and the future couldn’t look brighter!