Given that we deeply believe in the value of writing as the foundational act of cinema, we believe that supporting writers means intervening at the most fragile and decisive moment of the creative process: the moment when an idea takes shape, takes form, and becomes a story. It is with this conviction that the Rodolfo Sonego Award fits into Piattaforma Lago’s activities as a space dedicated to the development of new stories for cinema, with a particular focus on feature-length projects and short film screenplays.
Dedicated to one of the fathers of Italian comedy and the creator of the character Alberto Sordi, the Sonego Award is not merely a competition, but a journey. Created to promote screenwriting and foster connections between writers, professionals, and the industry, the award accompanies selected writers through a process of growth that goes beyond mere selection. Through opportunities for discussion, mentorship, and public presentations, the award aims to create an environment where stories can mature and find their most refined and solid form.
Each year, the curatorial team at Lago Film Residency selects a number of winning writers to participate in a special residency dedicated to the Sonego Award. During their stay at Lago, the writers have the opportunity to focus intensively on developing their stories.
The residency offers a safe, real-time space, removed from the pressures of production, where writing can be explored, challenged, and refined. The goal is to guide projects toward greater clarity, with a particular focus on preparing the presentation dossier—a fundamental tool for entering the production circuit and for engaging with potential partners and funders.
Through this integrated program between the Sonego Award and the Lago Film Residency, we aim to build an ecosystem that centers writing as a creative and political act, as the first step in envisioning a film, and as the place where stories truly begin to come to life.
