The global response to the invitation to take part in the DBGYFF by holding a screening of the short films on 13-14 October was also overwhelming in this second edition: there were numerous Salesian, Daughters of Mary Help of Christians centres, and other groups of the Salesian Family - and not only these - who decided to join the proposal as a way of celebrating the efforts and talents of young people around a theme of hope and trust towards a better world built precisely together with young people.

In total, thanks to the digital form provided by the festival organising committee – https://forms.gle/Uuu4YUTz5EMkdHhp7 – more than 200 centres from some 50 different countries have already registered - a true demonstration of the global nature of DBGYFF.

The general interest now is in the Grand Finale, where everyone is waiting to know the winning short films, regionally and globally. The Regional Juries have in fact now definitively concluded their phase and the Grand Jury has also internally selected the 10 best short films at global level. All that remains, therefore, is to identify the overall ranking and to make it public at the eagerly awaited awards ceremony.

Expectation for the festival’s final two days is now at an all-time high, and many were also excited about the decision to hold the DBGYFF closing event in Los Angeles, at the foot of Hollywood. 

From Africa, one of the young participants said, “I never imagined that my short film would be screened in Los Angeles, and that it would reach so many people from all over the world! It’s really amazing! I thank Don Bosco for giving me this satisfaction.”

From South Asia, one of his colleagues raises his voice: “I am glad to hear that Salesian youth cinema has made it to Hollywood. I can see that this year our efforts have been rewarded by taking our imagination and commitment to a higher level. In this way, the voice of Don Bosco, of us, young ‘Salesians’, will resound there too, and from there throughout the world.”

Daniela, a young European filmmaker, adds, “I want to express my gratitude to Don Bosco and the Salesian world for this opportunity. Participating in this festival was a challenge and an important moment in my life and I now look forward to seeing my efforts and those of my colleagues from the various continents recognised.”

The Salesians are also happy to participate in the various forms granted to them. Indian Salesian Fr Paul Cheruthottupuram (CM Paul), a great cinema enthusiast and member of the festival jury, wrote from Kolkata, “For me it is a great joy to participate in the DBGYFF. In my Province many people have registered and in the screening that I am organising there will also be the participation of an established Indian director.”

Finally, Fr Harris Pakkam, Director of DBGYFF, concludes “As the whole Salesian world prepares to inaugurate this festival, I am happy to witness the great sense of contentment and satisfaction that I now perceive around me among all those who are collaborating on the event, here in Los Angeles and all over the globe. I see that our efforts are yielding the expected results, and I know for sure that our small seed will bear much fruit, even in the future.”

To watch the screening of the shorts and the award ceremony for the winners, all you have to do is log on to the Festival’s YouTube channel.