Between 5 and 7 September 2025, the video-documentaries “Blue Kinship” and “Around Alone”, both featuring contributions from PartArt4OW, were presented at the PianetaMare Film Festival, hosted by the University of Naples Federico II.
The event formed part of the festival section “The Ocean Bewitched Me” and offered an ideal platform to explore the cultural and emotional dimensions of ocean stewardship.
The full festival report, flyers and images are available in the resource provided by CO>SEA and Raw-News (source: “The Ocean Bewitched Me at Pianeta Mare Film Festival”, accessible via crowdusg.net).
🎬 Presentation by PartArt4OW Contributors
The screenings were introduced and discussed by Mr. Federico Fornaro (Raw-News Visual Production Agency) and Mr. Giuseppe Lupinacci (Raw-News / CO>SEA), who presented the films and contextualised their production within the broader research and artistic framework of PartArt4OW.
Both documentary works reflect the longstanding visual, social and participatory research carried out by CO>SEA and Raw-News, combining field observation, visual ethnography and artistic storytelling to explore ocean-society relations.
Their presentation at PianetaMare highlighted:
- the importance of visual research in promoting marine citizenship;
- the role of creative documentary filmmaking in engaging wider audiences;
- the ability of participatory art to illuminate social, ecological and emotional ties with marine environments.
🌊 The Significance of the Two Works
“Blue Kinship” explores emerging forms of relationality between humans and marine environments, emphasising empathy, interdependence and the cultural dimensions of ocean care.
“Around Alone” documents solitary navigation as both a physical and symbolic journey, examining the personal, sensorial and existential dimensions of encountering the sea.
Through their complementary perspectives, both films align strongly with PartArt4OW’s mission:
to use art, participation and scientific insight to restore and deepen our connection with oceans and waters.
🌀 A Bridge Between Science, Art and Civic Engagement
The participation of Mr. Fornaro and Mr. Lupinacci underscored the centrality of art-science collaboration within the project. Their field-based visual research methods — blending documentary cinema, photojournalism and community engagement — represent a core component of the PartArt4OW approach.
The festival audience, composed of students, researchers, artists and citizens, engaged actively with the themes of the films, reflecting on:
- identity and memory in coastal communities;
- environmental degradation and resilience;
- the emotional and symbolic power of marine landscapes;
- the potential of creative practices to inspire ecological awareness.
🔭 Looking Ahead
The presentation at PianetaMare marks a significant step in the dissemination of PartArt4OW’s work within broader artistic and public spheres. The project will continue supporting:
- future screenings across Europe;
- participatory art initiatives inspired by the themes of the documentaries;
- international collaborations between artists, scientists and local communities;
- the development of new visual works exploring water, identity and socio-environmental change.
PartArt4OW warmly thanks Mr. Federico Fornaro and Mr. Giuseppe Lupinacci for their contribution and for representing the project at the festival.