Vatican documentary ‘Green Lava’ to seek first-ever Oscar consideration

Green Lava Oscar consideration Vatican documentary Duchenne muscular dystrophy Academy Awards

The Vatican is set to submit a film for Academy Award consideration for the first time in the history of the Oscars. The documentary short, titled ‘Green Lava’, will enter the Best Documentary Short Film race following a theatrical run in Los Angeles.

Directed by Lia Beltrami and Ali Aksu, the 39-minute film is set in the Dolomites and follows the life of Giacomo Mattivi, a young Italian man living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The story explores his resilience and connection to his community following the death of his brother, Mattia, who suffered from the same condition.

The production was a collaboration between Emotions to Generate Change and various Vatican media entities, including Vatican News and Radio Vaticana. While the film is a Vatican-produced work, it will not formally represent the Holy See as a country, as the documentary short category does not require official government or committee endorsement.

‘Green Lava’ is scheduled to screen at the Lumiere Music Hall in Beverly Hills from September 18 to 24, 2026, as part of the required process for Academy consideration.

Entities

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences · Ali Aksu · Dolomites · Giacomo Mattivi · Lia Beltrami · Vatican · Vatican City

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 3 SOURCES] The film will compete in the best documentary short film category. contrapunto.com · deultimominuto.com · variety.com
[● 3 SOURCES] The film will not officially represent the Vatican as a state. contrapunto.com · deultimominuto.com · variety.com
[● 3 SOURCES] The documentary is titled ‘Green Lava’. contrapunto.com · deultimominuto.com · variety.com
[● 2 SOURCES] The film is directed by Lia Beltrami and Ali Aksu. deultimominuto.com · variety.com
[● 3 SOURCES] The Vatican is submitting a film for Oscar consideration for the first time in the Academy Awards' history. contrapunto.com · deultimominuto.com · variety.com
[● 3 SOURCES] The film follows Giacomo Mattivi, an Italian man living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. contrapunto.com · deultimominuto.com · variety.com
[● 2 SOURCES] The film will screen at the Lumiere Music Hall in Beverly Hills from September 18 to 24. deultimominuto.com · variety.com
[● 3 SOURCES] The film is a 39-minute documentary short. contrapunto.com · deultimominuto.com · variety.com