An important recognition for Agostino Ferrente: his documentary “Selfie – Lato B” has been selected for the International Competition of Alice nella Città 2026, making it the only Italian title in competition in the section.
Co-produced by Cinecittà, the film marks the return of an Italian filmmaker to the competition after several years and continues the journey begun with the award-winning Selfie, revisiting footage that was left out of the original edit to reflect on the meaning of what a film chooses to show or conceal.
The selection also represents another important achievement for Italians Doc It Better 2025, the development programme dedicated to Italian documentaries at the MIA Market, which selected Ferrente’s project to support and enhance its creative and production process. It is further confirmation of Italians Doc It Better’s central role in the world of creative documentary, underscored by the project’s arrival at one of the most important festivals dedicated to younger generations.
Presenting the programme for the 24th edition of Alice nella Città, directors Fabia Bettini and Gianluca Giannelli highlighted the festival’s aim of entrusting young people with the perspective through which the world is viewed, challenging the idea that childhood and adolescence are “imperfect ages”. Ferrente’s work fits naturally into this context, as he has always been attentive to portraying reality through the direct gaze of his protagonists.
“Selfie – Lato B” will be presented as part of an international competition bringing together films from around the world and using childhood and adolescence as lenses through which to question the present, once again confirming the central role of the gaze as a tool for storytelling and understanding.
