Yesterday, Guardian Documentaries and arte.tv announced Vannacci Generation as the winning project of their documentary fund to explore democracy in Europe today. The winning film was announced at the international documentary and animated film festival, DOK Leipzig.
Directed by Hleb Papou, Vannacci Generation is focussed on efforts by Italy’s far right to win over the country’s youngest voters, says the publisher. The documentary follows a group of young people in Rome as they prepare to vote for the first time, tracing a growing divide between them and their progressive parents.
Centering on how political identity is formed both online and on the street, the creative proposition of the project will be fed by TikTok, Instagram and AI-generated imagery, while being set against real-world demonstrations and protests, added the publisher. It will explore the rise of Futuro Nazionale, the right-wing movement founded by Roberto Vannacci, and ask why a generation raised on democracy is putting its faith in a strongman leader promising answers on security, immigration, the economy and national sovereignty, through a lens of tradition.
Launched earlier this year, the Guardian and arte.tv documentary fund invited filmmakers to pitch ideas for documentary films that would explore the pressures facing democracy across Europe.
Vannacci Generation is expected to release across Guardian and arte.tv platforms in Spring 2027.
Hleb Papou, director, said: “I was born in Belarus and grew up in Italy, so I know firsthand the difference between living under a dictatorship and living in a democracy. Democracy is the best form of government, but it can also destroy itself, and we all have a responsibility to stop that from happening. I want to give these young people a voice and document a significant moment, not only for Italy but for Europe. The Guardian and arte.tv are essential partners for telling this story, and I’m honoured to be chosen.”
Jess Gormley, executive producer, Guardian Documentaries, said: “From a high volume of exceptional projects, Vannacci Generation stood out. Hleb creatively inhabits both the online and real-life worlds of Italy’s youngest voters at a pivotal moment for democracy. Guardian Documentaries continually seek out vital and fresh perspectives behind the key headlines and we look forward to publishing this project in a year of major European elections.”
Catherine Colas, commissioning editor, ZDF/Arte, said: “Vannacci Generation captures a crucial moment for Europe. Hleb Papou listens to young voters without judgment. His film shows how political identity is shaped today: by TikTok feeds, AI-generated imagery and real-world protest, and in growing tension with progressive parents. What did older generations fail to pass on when for more and more young people the far right seems the only alternative? Rather than offering easy answers, the film opens a conversation between generations. Hleb’s own story, from Belarus to Italy, gives him a rare understanding of what is at stake when democracy is taken for granted. ARTE is proud to support this film, which deals with urgent questions, and to share it with audiences across Europe in a year of decisive elections.”
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