And the winner is…
GEMINI Screenwriting Contest
By Paola De Rosa and Kim Toft Hansen, April 28 2024
At the end of the piloting phase of the GEMINI Educational Toolkit in Italy, Bulgaria, and Ireland, the involved students from the three countries were invited to take part in the GEMINI Screenwriting Contest, a unique opportunity to experience the dynamics of a writers’ room and explore inclusive storytelling through screenwriting.
A total of 22 scripts were submitted through the GEMINI e-platform and reviewed by an international jury of academics and audiovisual experts.
From these, five finalist projects were selected to join the GEMINI Workshop, where they transformed their scripts into audiovisual teasers showcasing their stories.
After this creative and educational journey, the five teasers were once again evaluated by the jury, who selected the winning project, officially awarded on April 11, 2025, during the final session of the GEMINI Final Conference.
…and the winning teaser is: Mismatch. Beyond the Rules. Here is the Jury Motivation for the winning video:
Can dreams change the order of things? In life, as in sports, dreamers step outside the roles they’re given and choose to go beyond the rules. Even when facing disadvantages caused by gender bias, it’s possible to prove your worth — and, above all, to find the support of new friends.Pom-poms and a cheerleader’s skirt just don’t fit Serena, and that’s why she chooses to step onto the playing field herself.An energetic soundtrack, skillful editing, and the clever use of archival footage make Mismatch a compelling and powerful teaser.We’re already eagerly awaiting the next match — thank you!
GEMINI SCREENWRITING CONTEST JURY
Schools: Liceo Lucio Anneo Seneca (Rome, Italy) and Istituto San Giovanni Battista (Rome, Italy)
Logline
After an incredible journey of creativity and collaboration, the winning project, “Mismatch. Beyond the Rules”, has been selected. Watch the teaser here to witness this inspiring story come to life!
In the heart of Rome, Liceo Lucio Anneo Seneca and Istituto San Giovanni Battista are vibrant communities where creativity flourishes. Among their students, Xhuljana Dobrozi, Federico Oliveti, John Panotes, Chiara Di Giorgio, and Alice Sampogna embarked on the GEMINI Screenwriting Contest, crafting the winning project, “Mismatch. Beyond the Rules.”
These talented students experienced the dynamics of a writers’ room, learning to collaborate and refine their ideas. Their story, about a determined girl fighting for a spot on a college men’s basketball team, resonated with themes of perseverance and breaking barriers.
Balancing schoolwork with the contest’s demands, they transformed their script into a compelling audiovisual teaser during the GEMINI Workshop. The final product stood out for its energetic soundtrack, skillful editing, and clever use of archival footage, earning high praise from the jury.
The contest showcased the incredible potential of these young storytellers and the supportive environment of their schools. Their journey through the GEMINI Screenwriting Contest equipped them with invaluable skills and confidence, proving they could indeed go beyond the rules and make their mark on the world.
Teasers from the four other finalists
We are proud to share the other final teasers created by our talented finalists. Watch them below:
Our Little Revolution
School: Campus Leonardo da Vinci (Umbertide, Italy)
Logline: In Marottica, a town where football is almost a religion, the youth team has become a national powerhouse — but behind the glory lies a ruthless system, where exposing others’ weaknesses is the fastest way to rise.
Club Zero
School: Liceo Plinio il Giovane (Città di Castello, Italy)
Logline: When a private photo of her best friend is leaked, Sofia Reyes expects justice — but as the school turns a blind eye and the guilty walk free, she uncovers a deeper culture of silence and complicity.
Beyond the Appearances
School: Liceo Lucio Anneo Seneca (Rome)
Logline: A group of six boys find themselves trapped in a mysterious white room. Despite their initial panic, they decide to work together right away, confronting their prejudices towards each other so that they can reach safety.
Fashion Revolution
School: Elisaveta Bagrjana (Sofia)
Logline: Georgi is a 17-year-old high school student with an exceptional talent for fashion design and hairstyling. However, in his conservative school, an interest in appearance is often dismissed as “superficial” or “unmanly,” making him the target of frequent mockery. Despite the ridicule, Georgi refuses to give up and begins experimenting with styles, helping his classmates express themselves through fashion.
Impressions from the video contest celebration
