Young Filmmakers Residency at Casa Arcasio in UNESCO Monferrato

Ten international young filmmakers gathered in Cassine, a medieval village in the Monferrato region, for a ten-day artistic residency at Casa Arcasio from June 14 to 23. Organized by cultural association Quindici19 in collaboration with Casa Arcasio and Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Alessandria, the project named Duemila30 Lab aimed to produce five short films inspired by the local territory, inhabitants, and winemaking traditions. The filmmakers, selected from past editions of the Duemila30 international social-impact film festival held in Milan since 2018, participated in masterclasses and lessons led by industry professionals including Steen Johannensen, co-author of the Oscar-nominated film The Last Man in Aleppo (2017). The residency culminated in a preview screening on the final day. Cassine, with about 2,000 inhabitants and twenty churches, is part of the Langhe-Roero and Monferrato UNESCO World Heritage site since 2014, known for its vineyards and unique architectural features called infernot—caves carved into stone for wine aging at a constant 13°C. Casa Arcasio, a 15th-century urban farmhouse with a bread oven and smoking chimneys, has been transformed into an art venue by owner Paola Dubini, who previously hosted concert masterclasses. The initiative seeks to promote the village and its cultural heritage.