The National and European Observatory “Cinema, Image and Emotions” is established, promoted by the Bullies and Heroes Festival

ROMA – Prende ufficialmente il via un progetto di portata internazionale destinato a sviluppare un nuovo approccio scientifico, educativo e istituzionale verso le nuove generazioni: la nascita dell’Osservatorio Nazionale ed Europeo “Cinema, Immagine ed Emozioni”, promosso e coordinato dal Bulli ed Eroi Festival.

L’Osservatorio nasce con un posizionamento innovativo in Italia e in Europa: analizzare in modo sistemico come le immagini contribuiscano alla costruzione dell’emotività dei ragazzi nell’epoca dell’Intelligenza Artificiale. Non si tratta soltanto di un progetto culturale, ma di una struttura transdisciplinare permanente che mette in dialogo cinema, neuroscienze, AI e robotica, educazione scolastica, giustizia minorile e politiche culturali europee.

The governance model and the institutional board

To guarantee the highest scientific and institutional profile, the Observatory adopts a network structure that involves experts and national and international realities.

Honorary Presidency: it remains and is confirmed to the renowned journalist, author and director Gianni Bisiach, a historical figure and already Honorary President of the promoting Association, who guarantees continuity and institutional prestige to the project.

Collegial Scientific Direction: the operational and theoretical guidance is entrusted to Paola Dei, psychologist and expert in the psychology of art and cinema, supported by an international co-direction committee that includes professors and researchers in the area of Visual Studies from Germany and Switzerland, confirming the European dimension of the research and international neuroscientists. Among

the academic profiles involved in the activities of the Observatory is Ruth Hampe, who has already collaborated with us for many years for scientific contributions and with whom discussions are underway for the definition of roles.

Among the scientific profiles involved in the activities of the Observatory are A. Marasco and S. Uboldi from CNR (National Research Council), who contributed to the definition of analysis tools and methodologies supporting research activities.

The Observatory has also started discussions with international scholars in the neuroscientific and neuroaesthetic fields, especially from the USA, engaged in the study of empathy, audiovisual perception and the cognitive impact of digital images on new generations.

Protection of Legality and Security: the entire ecosystem of the Observatory develops under the sign of legality thanks to the collaboration with the Argos association, linked to Police Forces, engaged in the monitoring of youth distress and in the protection of minors.

The Observatory Magazine

The core of the scientific and informative dissemination of the project is the Observatory Magazine, an annual publication with the title: “The Pirates of the Caribbean Magazine of Bullies and Heroes”, which collects research, methodological protocols, interdisciplinary contributions and in-depth studies dedicated to the relationship between neuroaesthetics, psychology, cinema and images.

The Magazine will also host critical reviews curated by cinema and developmental age experts and an “Index of Recommended Films”, a scientific mapping of cinematographic and audiovisual works considered most effective for the psychological and emotional growth of children, young people and adolescents.

Research and Operational Action Areas

The Observatory operates through four strategic areas:

Cinema and emotional development in developmental age: study of the narrative impact on empathy and on the relational processes of young people;

Neuroaesthetics and image perception: analysis of how the brain processes digital audiovisual flows and new interactions with AI and robotics;

Schools and Teaching Table: collaboration with teachers, school networks and educational realities for the construction of training paths and emotional awareness;

The Observatory Cinema, Image and Emotions is born as an evolution of a scientific, editorial and project path already started over the years through studies, publications and research activities dedicated to the relationship between image, emotions and developmental age.