Ugualmente Diversi on May 23rd at the Mariani Cinema in Ravenna

Into the world of autism with the Modena-based documentary film Ugualmente Diversi

Caulonia's Festival Etica e Bio , Gelsomino è donna

Vietato ai Maggiori di 6 anni - Teatro La Tenda (Modena)

Vietato ai Maggiori di 6 Anni, Modena's Pedagogical Assembly

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Productions

Ugualmente Diversi is the debut feature documentary produced by Zoom srl and the directorial debut of Federika Ponnetti. Shot in Italy and supported by the Italian Ministry of Culture and Emilia-Romagna Film Commission, the film explores the lives of three young autistic waiters who become unexpected mentors for a high school class.

Ugualmente Diversi is the debut feature documentary produced by Zoom srl and the directorial debut of Federika Ponnetti.

Equally Different is the first feature documentary produced by ZOOM and the directorial debut of Federika Ponnetti. With warmth and subtle irony, the film tells the story of Lorenzo, Andrea and Gabriele, three young autistic men working as waiters in a well-known Italian pizzeria. Each has a different dream: Gabri studies history, Lori hopes to land a permanent job, and Andrea is about to play the violin at a wedding for the first time.

Their journey intertwines with that of a high school class taking part in a project on diversity, where students learn the basics of restaurant work, with the three young men as their tutors. The result is a hybrid narrative that mixes observation, humour and self-filmed footage from the students’ phones, opening up a broader reflection: should we still talk about difference, or rather embrace the uniqueness of every individual?

The film is a heartfelt invitation to look beyond labels. It promotes accessible cinema through subtitles for the Deaf and hard of hearing and audio descriptions for blind and visually impaired viewers, developed with particular attention to typographic readability and timing.

Premiered at Visioni dal Mondo in Milan in 2024 under the patronage of the European Parliament and the Ministry for Disabilities, the film is now touring cinemas and schools across Italy as part of an impact campaign that combines screenings, debates and education.

Produced with support from the Italian Ministry of Culture, Emilia-Romagna Film Commission, BPER Banca and Banca Etica, Equally Different has been recognised with the Green Film certification and qualified as an "essai" film.