Filmmaker Silvia Cannarozzi on Her Award-Winning Short Film ‘FARTA’

In the latest episode of Catalyst's (formerly dBs Berlin) Director's Cut video series, we interview Film Production alumna Silvia Cannarozzi on her award-winning short film ‘FARTA’. 

Oversharing. These days, it’s hard not to overshare. Slaves to our Stories, even a basic breakfast or a boring bus journey can’t escape our phone cameras. When your drug of choice is likes, comments, shares and retweets, you’ll post almost anything to get your fix. Whether it’s bikini pics or the tantrums of your two-year-old kid, the more sensational the better.

Through a funny mother-daughter narrative, filmmaker Silvia Cannarozzi explores this very modern phenomenon. FARTA, a short film she wrote and directed whilst studying Film Production at Catalyst, examines the potential negative consequences of raising a child in the viral spotlight.

The Best Narrative prize of our 2018 Film Awards was only the start of FARTA‘s success on the international film circuit. The fantastic production recently won the under 35’s Best Short Film at Rome’s AS Film Festival, as well as being selected and screened at numerous festivals and events across Europe.

Ahead of FARTA‘s December 14th screening at Primo Piano sull’Autore – Rassegna del Cinema Italiano, we caught up with Silvia to learn more about the film. Watch the first of our Director’s Cut video series below and scroll down to read the interview.

Congratulations on winning the under 35’s Best Short Film prize at the AS Film Festival in Rome. How do you feel?

I’m super excited. This is the first prize for FARTA! It was totally unexpected. I went to Rome to have a good time watching films and to do some networking and I came back in love with this festival and its organizers. AS Film Festival has been running for six years, thanks to the main contribution of autistic boys and girls who I had the pleasure to meet and chat with during the days of the screenings. Each of them watched around 200 films in order to determine the official selection. I have to say that the short films in the competition were really beautiful and touching. I’m very proud that they decided to give the Under 35 award to FARTA.

What originally inspired you to tell the story?

A few years ago, I saw a kid-shaming picture for the first time. There was this little boy crying and his mom wrote under his face that the reason was because she split his cheese in two. At first I found it funny, but then there were so many more pictures of this toddler throwing tantrums for apparently stupid things. I felt sorry for for him. I wanted to do something against this ‘trend’ and other things that parents publish on social media without thinking about the consequences.

You made FARTA whilst studying Film Production with us in Berlin. How did the course help you in the creative process?

FARTA’s concept was very vague at the beginning. I had a clear message to send but I didn’t have the story. Then it came to pitching week, when the Film Production students had the chance to pitch their ideas and realise them upon approval. We had three attempts in three days and that, for me, was crucial. In fact, the pressure of the possible rejection and the feedback after each session helped me to focus on the key points of the story and made the scriptwriting a much easier process.

Besides winning awards, what else have you been up to since graduating from Catalyst?

In the last three months, I’ve made three music videos in different roles (producer/ first assistant director, editor, writer and director). I’m co-writing two feature-length films. One of them is with I Mind Collective, a female filmmakers collective founded with Catalyst colleagues. I’m also involved in the pre-production phase of two short films shooting next year and one music video. I’m very happy about how things are going right now. My next big goal is to write another short film and find the proper funds.

What piece of advice would you give to somebody who is earlier on in their career and looking to find similar success?

Well, technically I’m still in the early stages of my career, so I still don’t know where all of this will take me. But I have a good feeling. I’m happy about the choices I’ve made. If anyone wants to try to do the same, I’d say make a good use of your time and don’t be ashamed to show your work. Collect a lot of feedback and use it to improve.

Follow FARTA on Facebook. Follow Silvia Cannarozzi on YouTube, Instagram and her website.

More from Silvia: watch the fantastic music video she created together with eight fellow Catalyst Film Production alumni.