ITFF 2026 - At Stendhal Institute in Civitavecchia: the “Happy Birthday, Dear Republic” Event

The “Happy Birthday, Dear Republic” event took place on Friday, March 6, in the auditorium of the IIS Stendhal in Civitavecchia. Organized by the International Tour Film Festival (ITFF) with the patronage of the Municipality of Civitavecchia and the support of the Lazio Regional Council, it brought together all the city’s high schools for a collective reflection on the Constitution, human rights, and shared memory, with cinema as the guiding thread.

The proceedings opened with Vice Principal Teodora Murano of IIS Stendhal, who offered attendees a small but meaningful buffet prepared by the 4th CP class. This was followed by greetings from Tourism Assessor Piero Alessi.

Professor Romano Pesavento, president of the National Center for Teachers on Human Rights, explored the theme of human rights in the Italian Constitution. Professors Ezio Sina, national president of APIDGE, and Sandro Capitani, coordinator of the Italia Nostra outpost in Santa Marinella and Santa Severa, delved into the relationship between environment, culture, and territory in the Constitutional Charter.

Piero Pacchiarotti, ITFF president and member of the Board of Directors of the Cinetour World Film Festival, presented the “ITFF School Special,” offering a preview of the festival’s 2026 edition.

The centerpiece was “The Italian Constitution at School,” a showcase of school projects and a workshop on the Constitution and territory, featuring screenings and discussions of cinematic productions from the postwar period to today, curated by the Amici del Fondo Ranalli Association.

Director Gianfranco Fusato and historian Giuseppe Bellu traced the evolution of Civitavecchia, tourism, and local infrastructure through historical memory and archival footage.

The day concluded with Dr. Graziano Marraffa, president of the Historical Archive of Italian Cinema, reflecting on the synergies between territory and screen for the future of cinema.

The event reaffirmed ITFF’s mission to make cinema a tool for active citizenship, bringing the living spirit of the Constitution back to young people and fostering intergenerational dialogue on the territory’s civil and cultural heritage.