Mollicone in Giffoni: "Young people are the protagonists of the future. Parliament will be the home of dialogue."

"Seeing theaters filled with children is the most beautiful and moving thing about Giffoni. Cinema Revolution data tells us that audiences aged 8 to 14 have increased by 54%, and this is also thanks to the Festival." This was stated by Federico Mollicone, President of the Culture Commission of the Chamber of Deputies, who visited the Giffoni Film Festival today on the final day of the 55th edition. "Working in the cultural world, I've seen all the film festivals; Giffoni was the only one I missed. I think it has many strengths, first and foremost the uniqueness of a festival dedicated to young people aged 3 to 30. It coincides with my birth year, and we're celebrating its anniversary together. I'm struck by seeing children in the theaters from an early age," he added during his meeting with the Impact section students at the Sala Verde of the Giffoni Multimedia Valley. President Mollicone was awarded the Ercole Prize, a reproduction of an archaeological find in the wider Magna Graecia region, "for his dedication to dialogue in an age that demands vision." It was an intense discussion with young people: from artificial intelligence to issues closest to young people, from school to university, at a crucial time for young people, that of building the future. "This spirit of Giffoni, which gives young people a leading role, is very beautiful," the MP began. "At the beginning of the legislature, we launched a fact-finding investigation as a tool for the Commission for an in-depth study of culture, audiovisuals, dance, schools, research, and also the state on the impact of AI and digitalization, which needs to be moderated through human creativity. We met with the association of voice actors who are at risk of extinction. Their profession must be protected, as well as set designers." "In large productions," he adds, "attempts are being made to replace outdoor filming with virtual sets. There's a temptation to develop AI to save costs. On the other hand, associations of actors, voice actors, and special effects artists have mobilized to defend creativity. Parliament has stepped in as an arbiter to protect human creativity, without being digital Luddites opposed to technology." Therefore, there is a need to protect human intelligence, with the committee's approval of the watermark for products developed with Artificial Intelligence, which has since become a political guideline for the whole of Europe. The Giffoners raised many questions, including about a school in Italy that is underfunded compared to European standards, highlighting its importance as an educational tool in the formation of informed individuals. Mollicone responds, citing data from the Camera Dossier: "Funding for schools has been increased by 9% by 2025, for a €4.6 billion increase. The public employment contract for teachers has also been improved, which is essential for a functioning school system. Other important measures, which also relate to the Giffoni theme, which recognized that audiences grow from an early age," the President continues, "with the Cinema Plan for Schools, the Government has invested €20 million. It promotes student education to make them more aware. In education, we have also launched a historic reform, reducing the number of years spent at IT institutes and introducing an innovative 4+2 formula to integrate schools with the world of business and the creative arts." Developments have also occurred in the world of books and educational publishing: "I defend books and the written word," he explains, "but even in this sector, in the face of technological acceleration, we have promoted the Indire study, integrating traditional and digital teaching. School laboratories will be able to experiment with virtual books, adopting a new approach to teaching. Imagine history represented virtually. It's a convergence that Giffoni has also understood, with the development of video games and traditional teaching: it's been proven that experiential learning improves memory. It doesn't mean abandoning tradition. It means reading aloud, rewriting, and integrating AI into children's cognitive development. An additional €60 million from the Book Law has been allocated to promoting the publishing industry, opening up to young people up to 34, especially in central and southern Italy, to open new bookstores. Another issue raised by young people is the rising cost of school textbooks: "New editions must be motivated, structured, not just change the table of contents or include a supplementary support, calibrating the market that has an impact on families." President Mollicone also encourages a critical reading of reality and the sometimes polarized infosphere, advising them to follow the committee's work on the Chamber's website: "Go to the source, to observe institutional activity, such as the approval of the first European law on digital anti-piracy, which affects sports, cinema, and publishing. "Look for the opportunity to understand how Parliament impacts your lives," Federico Mollicone continues. "Until now, many young people didn't understand that watching a pirated film or game is a crime that puts 10,000 jobs at risk." He then discusses universities, the right to education, and the dignity of programs to combat job insecurity. Finally, he announces, from the stage at Giffoni, a resolution that will be introduced next fall. "We will give a voice to all students," says the President of the Culture Committee, "to welcome discussion and make Parliament the true forum for dialogue."