On March 25, 2026, JCU announced the winners of the 2025-2026 Italy Reads Student Video Contest during an online award ceremony. For its 16th edition, JCU’s English language reading and cultural exchange program selected Raymond Carver’s What We Talk About When We Talk About Love as its focus. 17 videos were received from high school students in nine Italian high schools located in six Italian cities (including Rome, Terni, Frosinone, Avellino, and Foggia). These three-minute student videos inspired by the book are the culmination of a year’s work.
Judges of the video contest were Professor Riccardo Duranti, this year’s keynote speaker and the Italian translator of Carver’s work, and Alessandro Ceschi, JCU alumnus (class of 2015), former Italy Reads volunteer, writer, and filmmaker. Having been a member of the jury for nearly a decade, Alessandro commented on how the quality of the videos has improved over the years. Both judges commended students and their teachers for their ability to capture Carver’s message and convey it in their own visual and storytelling language.
1st Place (500 Euro): Healing by students in Class 3E, Liceo Scientifico "Morgagni," Rome, Prof. Elisabetta Ranieri
2nd Place (300 Euro): Secrets for Dinner by students in Class 3CL at Liceo Classico/Linguistico Statale "Aristofane," Rome, Prof. Monica Anna Antonia Martino
3rd Place (100 Euro): This is What Love Means to Me by students in Classes 3GS, 4GS, and 5GS at Liceo Scientifico Galileo Galilei, Civitavecchia/Santa Marinella, Prof. Sarah Mangano
Special Mention for the powerful one-scene narrative, carried out with emotional intensity and careful editing: In the Middle by students in Class 4A at Liceo Scientifico "Albert Einstein," Cerignola, Prof. Vincenzo Longo
Special Mention for the use of music and editing in creating intensity in the narration, as well as the choice of locations: So Much Water So Close to Home by students in Class 5L at IIS Giovanni Sulpicio, Veroli, Prof. Patricia Venditti
Special Mention for originality of narrative approach, away from a literal reading of stories: In a Dark Alley by students in Class 4E at Liceo Scientifico "Morgagni," Rome, Prof. Elisabetta Ranieri
Special Mention for freshness of attitude and original development of own story: That's What Happens When You Fall in Love by students in Class 4B at Liceo Scientifico Statale “Camillo Cavour,” Rome, Prof. Rita Gatti
Watch the winning videos.
About Italy Reads 2025-2026
It all began last spring for many of these students, when their teachers participated in the annual Professional Development Course provided by JCU. Teachers attend a series of online seminars conducted by JCU faculty and staff members who are invited to share their professional and personal expertise for an interdisciplinary literary analysis of the selected book. Their contribution to the program enriches the understanding of the literary genre as well as the social and cultural aspects represented.
The structure of the Italy Reads program provides ample opportunity for teachers and students to enrich their reading of a work of American literature, and the results are apparent in the videos and writing that students produce. In addition to presenting the Keynote Address and Master Class for teachers, Professor Riccardo Duranti was interviewed by students for the Italy Reads Interview and Newsletter project. Students involved in this project work in groups to develop a series of questions to ask, engage in a dialogue with the interviewee, and produce a newsletter summarizing what they have learned. They conclude their project in an online meeting to present their work and experience. Professor Duranti was impressed by the quality of the preparation and curiosity demonstrated by the students.
Theatrical performances in English of Reading Raymond, a production by Gaby Ford’s English Theatre of Rome, gave students the opportunity to see a few of the short stories from What We Talk About When We Talk About Love performed on a stage. Special matinee rehearsals and performances were scheduled expressly for classes to enable students to interact with the director and cast.
Formazione Scuola-Lavoro (FSL)
The Italy Reads program allows students to fulfill a substantial part of the requirement for the Work-Related Learning (Formazione Scuola-Lavoro, FSL) activities. They converse with professionals working in areas that might interest them. Students have the chance to ask these professionals questions and interrogate themselves, too. Working in groups with their peers toward a concrete objective, meeting deadlines, and competing for a prize all foster the kind of self-awareness, curiosity, and skills for collaboration that will serve students as they move forward. This is the spirit of Work-Related Learning, and these are key objectives of all 5 of John Cabot University’s Programs for High Schools.
Find out more about JCU’s Programs for High Schools.
