Volunteering at the Festival dei Popoli: Our Commitment to Global Dialogue

This past month, I was delighted to fulfill my annual CIEE volunteer commitment by supporting the Festival dei Popoli in Florence. It was an incredibly enriching experience that perfectly aligned CIEE’s values with the cultural life of the city. The Festival dei Popoli (Festival of the Peoples) is a highly prestigious international documentary film festival, recognized as the oldest documentary film festival in Europe. Held annually in Florence, it is a vital platform for the cinema of reality, showcasing powerful films that explore contemporary issues and diverse global perspectives. As a passionate fan who has been attending this festival for over ten years, it was truly rewarding to take part in this edition from a completely different perspective.

My day of service, organized as part of CIEE's commitment to local engagement, involved working behind the scenes, primarily focusing on communication and providing support in the screening rooms. It was a wonderful change to contribute to its success in a professional capacity, rather than just enjoying the films from the audience.

The 66th edition in 2025 featured a selection of films that were both timely and profoundly moving. Key themes included raw perspectives on current world conflicts—with documentaries offering essential insights into the human cost of wars in places like Gaza and Ukraine. The Habitat section specifically addressed urgent issues related to the ecosystem and the climate emergency, urging reflections on contemporary living and sustainability. Additionally, the festival honored influential female filmmakers with retrospectives on the work of Sarah Maldoror, a pioneering African and anticolonial feminist, and Marie Losier, known for her original portraits of counter-culture artists.

Beyond my personal involvement, I was particularly happy to see CIEE’s engagement extend to our students. We were proud that one of our High School students participated in the Young Jury Day. This special initiative invites young people to view and discuss films, providing a platform for them to develop critical awareness and award a prize to the most impactful short film. It is a fantastic opportunity for our students to directly engage with global citizenship and film criticism.

This experience highlights the strong connection between the festival's mission and the work we do every day at CIEE. The Festival dei Popoli is a crossroads where different cultures, languages, and sensibilities meet. This spirit of interculturality mirrors CIEE's core mission: facilitating cultural exchange, challenging perspectives, and connecting people from diverse backgrounds. My volunteer day was a perfect reflection of how immersive experiences can deepen this essential global understanding.

I am incredibly grateful to CIEE Florence for encouraging and supporting this annual volunteer day. It was a deeply meaningful connection to Florence’s cultural heart and a powerful reminder of the importance of corporate social responsibility and the shared stories that connect us all.

Diana Biagini
CIEE Florence Program Coordinator