Pediatric Hospice in Padua uses film dubbing as therapy

Ten children and adolescents receiving pediatric palliative care at the Pediatric Hospice in Padua have completed a dubbing and interpretation project titled ‘Ardire 2’. The initiative aimed to use cinema as a therapeutic tool to help young patients with rare and incurable diseases express emotions, develop communication skills, and reduce anxiety, stress, and isolation.

The project, which ran from October 2025 to May 2026, culminated in the official presentation in Padua of a short film based on the Ukrainian animated movie ‘Mavka and the Forest Song’. The young patients provided the voiceovers for the characters.

Promoted by the Pediatric Hospice of the Padua Hospital-University and the Department of Women's and Children's Health at the University of Padua, the project was organized in collaboration with the La Miglior Vita Possibile Foundation and MediCinema Italia Ets. It received support from the Stevanato Foundation and UniCredit's Carta Etica Fund. Scientific responsibility was held by Franca Benini, director of the Pediatric Hospice, with collaboration from Professor Francesco Pagnini of Università Cattolica Milano.