Vatican-backed documentary takes historic step toward Oscar consideration

A Vatican-backed documentary about a young Italian man living with muscular dystrophy is taking a step toward Oscar consideration, bringing his reflections on faith, suffering, and hope to audiences in Hollywood.

Green Lava will screen in Beverly Hills from Sept. 18-24 as part of the qualification process for the Academy Awards’ Best Documentary Short Film category. The film could become the first Vatican-collaborated film submitted for Oscar consideration in the Academy Awards’ nearly century-long history, according to Variety. The film is produced by Emotions to Generate Change and made in collaboration with the Vatican Dicastery for Communication.

The documentary follows Giacomo Mattivi, 22, who lives with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and uses a wheelchair and ventilator. The sociology student, poet, and catechist has spoken about how his condition has shaped his understanding of life and suffering, according to Vatican News.

“If you look at illness from another perspective, you understand many things about the way the world works, about suffering, and even about its meaning, which is sometimes not easy to understand,” Mattivi said.

The 39-minute film follows Mattivi’s life in the Dolomites of northern Italy, including the loss of his brother, Mattia, who died from the same condition in 2022, and his relationships with family and the surrounding community, according to Variety.

Mattivi welcomed the film’s latest step toward the Academy Awards.

“I am truly happy and excited about this moment,” he said, according to Vatican News, “because Green Lava “has reached a wider audience and will reach so many people.”

Director Lia Beltrami reflected on the faith at the heart of Mattivi’s story, according to Vatican News. 

“Giacomo, Mattia, and the entire community that surrounds them are an example of authenticity and solidarity, of a living Gospel,” Beltrami said. “Bringing the film to Hollywood is a great opportunity to show how meaningful and powerful a life lived in faith can be.”

Mattivi met with Pope Francis during the 2025 Jubilee of the World of Communications in Rome, where Green Lava premiered. 

Vatican News said Mattivi connected the film with Pope Francis’ emphasis on fraternity, community, and care for creation: “I am especially happy about this, because Pope Francis’ legacy must not be lost; on the contrary, it must be carried forward.”