Upcoming documentary premiere set to showcase rewilding in the Central Apennines

August 22, 2022

Shot by Bruno D’Amicis and Umberto Esposito, the short film “Central Apennines, A Rewilding Journey” is a beautiful vignette of rewilding in the Central Apennines of Italy. Boosting outreach in the local community, it will also help to promote rewilding to a wider audience.

“Central Apennines, A Rewilding Journey” is helping to boost community outreach and promote rewilding to a wider audience.
Bruno D'Amicis

 

An intimate snapshot

“Central Apennines, A Rewilding Journey” is a short, 11-minute video by Bruno D’Amicis and Umberto Esposito. Produced by two people with intimate knowledge of rewilding in the Central Apennines of Italy, and the benefits it offers to local communities, the documentary is helping to boost community outreach and promote rewilding to a wider audience.

Bruno and Umberto’s new film was officially launched during the nine-day Cinema e Ambiente Film Festival in the city of Avezzano in June, where it was well received by an Italian and international audience. On August 18 it was then shown in the village of Pettorano sul Gizio, one of the so-called “Bear Smart Communities” where the Central Apennines rewilding team are working hard to promote human-wildlife co-existence through wildlife corridor development.

“Central Apennines, A Rewilding Journey” will premiere online for everyone to watch on Monday, August 29. Tune in at 8 PM CEST on Rewilding Europe’s Facebook or YouTube channel!

 

Rewilding Apennines team
The Central Apennines rewilding team are working hard to promote human-wildlife co-existence through wildlife corridor development.
Bruno D'Amicis

 

Community outreach

The al fresco Pettorano screening attracted an audience of around 40 people. Bruno and Umberto were on hand to explain the story behind the production, while the mayor of Pettorano also spoke of the commitment of the municipality, the Monte Genzana Alto Gizio Nature Reserve, and local NGOs to rewilding in the area.

There were a lot of questions after the screening, and many people commented how the film had given them a far better understanding of rewilding.

“The audience loved the documentary,” says Rewilding Apennines Communications Officer Angela Tavone, who also attended the event and introduced the work and mission of the Rewilding Apennines team. “It not only explores the positive ecological impact of rewilding, but also focuses on people and the socio-economic benefits of nature recovery. There is no direct translation of the word ‘rewilding’ in Italian, so this film is a really clear and compelling promotional tool that we can use as a Rewilding Apennines calling card.”

 

Film screening in Pettorano
The screening in the village of Pettorano sul Gizio attracted an audience of around 40 people.
Angela Tavone

 

Labour of love

Bruno D’Amicis and Umberto Esposito both have longstanding connections with rewilding, and are both passionate advocates of nature recovery in the Central Apennines. Based in Pettorano sul Gizio, Bruno has been a wildlife photographer and videographer for over 20 years (winning a number of prestigious awards), while Umberto founded Pescasseroli-based guided tour and wildlife watching outfit Wildlife Adventures in 2009.

“Production of the film took around a year,” explains Bruno. “It was a challenge to capture all the important moments and people involved, but I’m really happy with how everything came together. There are some memorable highlights, such as Rewilding Field Officer Fabrizio Cordischi releasing a tagged griffon vulture, and the moment a camera trap is retrieved and there’s a picture of an otter on it. It was great to see local people inspired and moved by the screening in Pettorano, because we both believe in promoting Bear Smart Communities and their values.”

 

Rewilding Apennines field officer Fabrizio Cordischi releases a griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus) after GPS tagging operations. Velino Nature Reserve, Abruzzo - Central Apennines, Italy. 2021
One of the film’s highlights includes the release of a griffon vulture by Rewilding Apennines field officer Fabrizio Cordischi.
Bruno D'Amicis

 

Further engagement

Following the online premiere on August 29, the new film will be screened again in September, in a festival taking place in a village in the Maiella National Park, and in another location in Pettorano sul Gizio. It will also be shown in the Alto Molise and Valle Roveto Bear Smart Communities.

“We want as many people in the Central Apennines rewilding landscape to see the film as possible,” says Angela Tavone. “A picture can tell a thousand words, so this documentary is more like a rewilding book!”

 

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