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During the XV Florence Biennale, on Sunday, October 19 at 4:00 PM in the Theatre Area – Spadolini Pavilion, Italian director Matteo Burani, recipient of the “Lorenzo il Magnifico” Award by the President of this edition, will present his short film “Playing God”. The screening will be followed by an award ceremony in his honour.

A short film directed by Matteo Burani, animated by Arianna Gheller, produced by Arianna Gheller (IT) & Nicolas Schmerkin (FR). Duration: 9 minutes | Target: adult/young adult | Year: 2024 | Technique: stop-motion animation A clay sculpture comes to life in the darkness of a workshop, surrounded by mysterious creatures. The story explores the ambiguity of subjective judgment and chaotic decision-making: a Sculptor creates a work he deems imperfect and abandons it; the sculpture tries to follow him but self-destructs, ultimately finding acceptance among other rejected works. Set in a workshop inspired by sculptors’ studios and Frankenstein’s lab, the film employs a colour palette evoking Bologna and its artisanal heritage. The narrative is realised through puppet animation, clay animation, and pixilation, with a directorial style and editing reminiscent of live action, highlighting the tactile and sensory quality of the sculptures. A co-production between Studio Croma Animation (Italy) and Autour de Minuit (France), supported by Regione Emilia-Romagna, MIC – Italian Ministry of Culture, and CNC – Centre National du Cinéma et de l’Image Animée.