Cinema & Law: EUVALWEB Legal Observatory brings the Debate on Body Neutrality and Fundamental Rights to the Giffoni Film Festival
On 22 July 2026, at 7:00 p.m., the Blue Hall of the Multimedia Valley at the Giffoni Film Festival will host the special event “Cinema & Law”, organised by the EUVALWEB Legal Observatory of the University of Salerno, in collaboration with the Department of Legal Sciences, University of Salerno, the State Police and the Magistrates’ National Association.
The initiative reflects the Observatory’s ongoing commitment to promoting the values of the European Union by fostering dialogue on fundamental rights, equality, human dignity, inclusion, and European citizenship through innovative and interdisciplinary approaches. By combining legal scholarship with the powerful language of cinema, the event seeks to engage young people and the wider public in addressing contemporary social challenges while promoting a culture of respect, diversity, and non-discrimination.
At the heart of the event is the screening of the award-winning short film (Im)Perfetta, directed by Nicolò Bressan Degli Antoni and written by Margherita Pezzella. The film offers a compelling reflection on body neutrality, encouraging audiences to move beyond unrealistic beauty standards and social stereotypes towards a vision of the individual grounded in dignity, self-acceptance, and respect for human diversity. Rather than defining personal worth by physical appearance, (Im)Perfetta highlights the importance of recognizing that every person deserves equal respect and equal opportunities.
The screening will be followed by an interdisciplinary panel discussion bringing together representatives from academia, public institutions, the judiciary, law enforcement authorities, and the audiovisual industry. The discussion will examine body neutrality not only as a cultural and educational issue but also as a matter closely connected to fundamental rights, including the rights to dignity, equality, and non-discrimination, to mental well-being, and to the protection of children and young people from harmful stereotypes and social pressures. Particular attention will be devoted to the role of audiovisual storytelling in fostering awareness, encouraging critical thinking, and promoting a more inclusive and respectful society.
Institutional greetings will be delivered by Jacopo Gubitosi, General Manager of the Giffoni Film Festival; Virgilio D’Antonio, Rector of the University of Salerno; Giancarlo Conticchio, Chief of Police of the Province of Salerno; and Filomena Zamboli, Head of the Provincial School Office of Salerno.
The panel discussion will feature Barbara Strappato (Italian State Police), Carlo Rodomonti (Rai Cinema), Giulia Sablone (One More Pictures), Francesco Fasolino, Director of the Department of Legal Sciences of the University of Salerno, Teresa Russo, Director of the EUVALWEB Legal Observatory, and Giuseppe Barbato, Member of the National Magistrates’ Association and Judge at the Court of Salerno.
During the event, a Special Mention will be awarded to the Polo delle Arti Caselli Palizzi of Naples, represented by Professor Valter De Bartolomeis, in recognition of its outstanding contribution to artistic education and the promotion of civic values among younger generations.
Through initiatives such as Cinema & Law, the EUVALWEB Legal Observatory reaffirms its mission to advance knowledge and public awareness of the European Union’s fundamental values by connecting legal research with culture, education, and civic engagement. By addressing body neutrality through the lens of fundamental rights, the event demonstrates how interdisciplinary dialogue can help combat discrimination, empower young people, and strengthen a more inclusive, rights-based, and participatory European society.
