The film is titled Green Lava. It is a 39-minute documentary short created in collaboration with the Vatican, telling the story of a young Italian man named Giacomo Mattivi, who lives with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a severe inherited genetic disorder that causes the progressive breakdown and weakness of muscles throughout the body. The disease is hereditary and affects almost exclusively boys.

The filmmakers show how the young man copes with loss and strives to maintain his independence despite the physical limitations imposed by his condition. His main sources of support are the local community and the surrounding nature, with the film set against the stunning backdrop of the Dolomite Alps.

Paolo Ruffini, head of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication, noted that Giacomo’s story deserves to be known by as many people as possible.

The premiere will take place this week in Los Angeles at the Lumiere Music Hall as a prelude to its submission for consideration in the «Best Documentary Short Film» category. The film will be screened from September 18 to 24. Following this theatrical run, the filmmaking team will complete the necessary formalities to officially submit the film for Oscar consideration.

«This will be the first time a film produced by the Vatican will compete for an award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences,» the report states.