One hundred and twenty students award the best short film on contemporary design

One hundred and twenty university students become an international jury to evaluate the best of cinematic production dedicated to the contemporary languages of design and architecture. This is the experience at the center of “Wannabe Designers”, the initiative with which the Group made its debut as a partner of the Contemporary Design Film Award 2026, as part of the Ennesimo Film Festival.

The main participants were the students of the Industrial Product Design Degree Course at the University of Bologna, who were involved in a program that combines education, critical discussion, and active participation: a concrete opportunity to connect with the business world and the dynamics of contemporary design.

The day opened at the Crogiolo with an immersive journey dedicated to ceramic culture: from the history and identity of the Group to research and development activities, and sustainability practices according to ESG criteria. The visit to the production spaces and the showroom allowed the students to see the collections as design solutions, in dialogue with the languages of architecture, interior design, and product communication.

In the afternoon, the “Wannabe Designers” took on the role of jury for the Contemporary Design Film Award 2026, watching five international short films in competition and actively participating in the evaluation process. A direct discussion on crucial themes such as contemporary living, urban transformations, and the relationship between built space and community allowed them to collectively determine and name the winning short film.

The competition featured five short films by directors under 35 from Europe and North America. The Contemporary Design Film Award 2026 was assigned to The Little Ancestor by Alexa Tremblay-Francoeur, which will be presented on June 10, 2026 at the London Festival of Architecture.