Before every screening, Costantini’s illustrations draw attention to the human cost of the conflict and call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza
At the Sole Luna Doc Film Festival in Palermo, running from September 15 to 21, 2025, art becomes a voice for peace.
In an edition dedicated to the theme of a ceasefire in Gaza, the cartoons of Gianluca Costantini are projected before each film, offering a powerful reminder of the reality of the conflict.
Costantini, an Italian cartoonist, comic journalist, and activist, accepted the proposal from artistic directors Chiara Andrich and Andrea Mura. After the recent attacks in Gaza, they decided to feature his images at the beginning of the screenings as a symbolic gesture calling for an immediate ceasefire. The cartoonist, known for his commitment to human rights campaigns, welcomed the initiative, emphasizing the importance of keeping attention focused on human suffering.
The festival, now in its twentieth edition, chose this year not to select Israeli films, focusing instead on works that tell the Palestinian reality. Among the films in competition, A State of Passion by Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi received particular acclaim, documenting the tireless work of doctors and healthcare workers in Gaza.
Meanwhile, on Saturday, September 20, a talk titled The Power of Art in War Contexts was held at Palazzo Branciforte. The discussion featured artists such as Daniela Balsamo and Igor Scalisi Palminteri, involved in solidarity projects for Gaza, and Roberto Albergoni, president of the MeNO Foundation, which promotes the protection of cultural heritage in the Mediterranean. In a remote connection, Syrian designer Sana Yazigi shared her experience with Creative Memory of the Syrian Revolution, a project documenting creative expression emerging from the 2011 Syrian revolution.
The festival will conclude on Sunday, September 21, with the remote participation of Fawzi Ismail, doctor and president of the Sardinia-Palestine Friendship Association. Originally scheduled to attend in Palermo, Ismail chose to remain in Sardinia to coordinate humanitarian aid in light of recent developments in Gaza City.
In a context of increasing violence, the Sole Luna Doc Film Festival confirms itself as a space for reflection and commitment, where art becomes a tool for both denunciation and hope for a future of peace.
Video by Corriere della Sera
