By Vasiliki (Vicky) Bafataki
In the fir-covered landscape of Roccaraso, in Italy’s Abruzzo region, where the mountains open like embraces and the clouds seem to breathe the stillness of centuries, an experience unfolded that words can scarcely contain. It was the AmiCorti Film Festival, under the artistic direction of Ntrita Rossi, and it was much more than a film festival. It was a global gathering of human love.
From the very first moment, I had the honor of serving on the Short Film Jury, alongside Professor of Applied Philosophy at the University of Athens, Evangelos Protopapadakis, who was honored for his significant contribution to philosophy and ethics. Our presence together was profoundly inspiring: full of authentic thought, gentleness, and belief in the ethical power of art.
Ntrita Rossi, Evangelos Protopapadakis, Vicky Bafataki
Amid screenings that spoke all the languages of the world and faces lit by enthusiasm and creativity, there was an almost magical energy in the air. From dawn to late at night, our days were filled with scientific panels on cinema, the environment, and public health—in which I had the privilege to contribute—workshops worthy of ancient art academies, and masterclasses led by three great masters: Oscar-winner Paul Haggis, two-time Oscar nominee Evgeny Afineevsky, and the talented actress Liliana Mele, who graced the festival with her theatrical and cinematic experience, delivered with grace and sincerity.
The Jury Members
The Jury was not merely a team of experts, but a family. Creators from 70 countries, directors, actors, participants, and spectators exchanged more than images and scripts—they shared glances, emotions, and touches. There was love. There was friendship. There was peace. A true, tangible peace, born not in halls of power, but in the smiles of people.
And every time the day faded, a new kind of magic took the stage. Emanuele Pavano, with his melodies and guitar, and Ntrita Rossi, founder and artistic director of the festival, with her verses, gifted us a song that became the unofficial anthem of AmiCorti: “Hymn to Humanity.” Peace and humanity. When these two meet, people become more beautiful. And we, together, became more beautiful, thanks to the power of cinema and music.
Some people pass through your life. Others take root in your heart forever.
Ntrita Rossi
Ntrita Rossi, who brought from Greece a suitcase full of dreams and an unbounded passion for cinema. She arrived in Italy with no money but with the unwavering belief that she could create something great. And she did. Through hard work and dedication, she brought this festival to life, born of soul, perseverance, and vision.
Over time, our collaboration—rich in trust, creativity, and even fiery discussions—transformed into a bond of deep respect. We walked together, with love and common goals: to make the world more beautiful, more human. By her side, the discreet and generous Patrick Berau, her husband and pillar of the festival.
Paul Haggis
Paul Haggis, despite fame and awards (2 Oscars), remains a gentleman: an aristocrat of the soul, driven by relentless energy and constant motion, with a penetrating gaze and words always filled with meaning.
Evangelos Protopapadakis, Evgeny Afineevsky, Vicky Bafataki, Alessandro Vandini, Rajniesh Duggal
Evgeny Afineevsky
Evgeny Afineevsky, a man I deeply respect: through his documentaries, he has taught us to honor diversity and to dream of a world without war. We shared warm words, rich in humanity, and precious reflections…
Darko Perić
My dear Darko Perić. A giant in body, a child in heart. He speaks with memory, and remains silent with love.
Liliana Mele
Liliana Mele, a living crescendo: a blend of Italy and Ethiopia, brought the light of an open heart to the festival with her smile and natural elegance.
Evangelos Protopapadakis, Victor Gonzales, Vicky Bafataki, Emanuele Pavano
Emanuele Pavano, a soul-friend, broke the silence with his guitar, reminding us melodically that beauty, hope, and dreams still exist. Together we wrote (lyrics by me – melody by him) a song, a creative marriage… and from that gesture was born a boundless friendship.
Evangelos Protopapadakis
Evangelos Protopapadakis, more than a respected Professor, is a soul-brother. Conversations, ideas, laughter, joys, and projects became a way of life. A person full of light… I will never forget his eagerness to learn Italian, accompanied by his signature doppio espresso, con un bicchiere di ghiaccio e cannuccia (double espresso, with a glass of ice and a straw)
Fariman
Iranian singer-songwriter Fariman, a special person with a boundless voice, sang as only those who have truly suffered and loved can do. And beside him, like a rhythmic heartbeat of the festival, Salvatore Sposito made us all dance—yes, all of us!—with laughter-filled voices and eyes full of emotion.
Victor Gonzales
I will never forget the kindness and wide embrace of our friends from Latin America: the Mexican actor Victor Gonzales, with whom I became friends in a heartbeat. His face evokes Greece, like a classical statue bathed in harmony.
Carlos Mata
And then the magnificent, charismatic Venezuelan actor and singer Carlos Mata, who taught us love every single day…
Enrique Torres and Anabella Del Boca
The Argentine screenwriter Enrique Torres and his wife Anabella Del Boca offered a masterclass in genuine companionship and shared life. And Italian actor Alessandro Vantini, with his passion for ancient tragedy, Greek culture, and quiet presence, brought depth to our days.
Alessandro Vandini
Klaus Fuxjager, Vicky Bafataki, Joshua Jones, Rajniesh Duggal, Fariman, Saša Gedeon
Beloved Austrian cinematographer Klaus Fuxjager, with whom I shared cinematic visions, and thoughtful Czech director Saša Gedeon left traces of kindness and artistic maturity.
Joshua Jones & Ntrita Rossi
Young British screenwriter, director, and actor Joshua Jones amazed me: explosive talent and profound conversations. I cherished him as if I’d known his noble spirit for years.
Rajniesh Duggal
Rajniesh Duggal, an Indian actor with a heart of gold, lit up our days with his wonderful personality and conveyed to us the richness and gentleness of Indian culture.
Ian Charles Lister
The vibrant British actress Eden Avital Alexander, our carefree evening companion. And the great British director and screenwriter Ian Charles Lister, with his subtle yet overwhelming smile, gave us lessons in elegance and kindness.
Evangelos Protopapadakis, Victor Gonzales, Joel Westwood, Mia Lastrella, Klaus Fuxjager, Vicky Bafataki, Ntrita Rossi
Joel Westwood and Mia Lastrella are multifaceted artists from the United States—actresses, directors, screenwriters, and producers—utterly quiet, yet possessing an inner strength that cannot go unnoticed.
None of them—despite their international success—showed a trace of arrogance. For me, that was the greatest lesson. In a world where many lose their inner self, swept away by fleeting vanity, they remain true.
Lucy Velez
And how could I forget my new Mexican friend, dancer Lucy Velez: a soul full of sweetness and joy!
Evangelos Protopapadakis, Ntrita Rossi, Sofia Skevi, Salvatore Sposito, Vicky Bafataki
Salvatore Sposito (il “mambo di Salvatore”), the festival’s presenter and the soul of the stage, was one of the true protagonists for me. With energy, positivity, kindness, and a piercing voice, he awakened the audience and filled our nights with love and dance.
Daria Graziosi
Sweet Daria Graziosi, also a presenter, was a human embrace. Always smiling, with comforting words and eyes that said: “you are welcome here.”
Sofia Skevi
Lefteris Skevis, Vicky Bafataki, Elpida Skevi, Darko Perić.
Sofia Skevi, Ntrita’s sister, a woman I deeply admire. Widowed at a young age, she raised four children with dignity and light. Lefteris and Elpida, her youngest, became our children too, rooted in me like a part of myself.
Al Sapienza
Debora Renard
The closing ceremony was a chapter of its own. Among lights and hearts becoming one, the celebrated American actors and singers Al Sapienza and Debora Renard sang, giving us moments that brushed the dreamlike. Our brief personal farewell was filled with simplicity and style.
Victor Gonzales, Rajniesh Duggal, Vicky Bafataki, Fariman, Thanassis Lekos, Alessandro Vandini
It is impossible to name everyone, but I hold each of them in my memory…
Even my Greek friends were there, Eleni and Thanassis!!!
In this magical experience, the voices of people who have something deeply important to say to humanity came together. It was one of those experiences that doesn’t end with the festival. It echoes within you like a gentle yet persistent melody. A true, global embrace. A “together” made of flavors, sounds, and visions.
And if you ask me what I carry with me? I answer: the energy. That infinite and luminous energy that is born only when art meets the human heart.
Vasiliki (Vicky) Bafataki
Archaeologist, Journalist, MSc, PhD Candidate at the Faculty of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace
Academic Researcher in Bioethics – Laboratory of Applied Philosophy, Department of Philosophy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
General Secretary of the Vexillum Sciacca International Prize (Vatican)