This article is part of the introductory editorial series at the ONA Short Film Festival. On September 5th, 6th and 7th, the Venetian Island of San Servolo will showcase stories of outdoor sports, nature and environmental awareness. Athleta will still be Media Partner of this wonderful event devoted to the seventh art.

For the first time we will not only be Media Partner of the ONA Short Film Festival, but we will bring to the Island of San Servolo the production ‘HOW FAR YOU CAN GO,’ a short docu created in collaboration with K-WAY and inspired by the story of ocean sailor Ambrogio Beccaria and his ALLAGRANDE project. The short film was shot entirely in Brittany and features the ancient, yet futuristic art of solo sailing.

Strategy, emotions, intuition and magic show us a life lived among clouds and waves, in an archaic realm where languages and perceptions change, and where everything rhymes with uncertainty. The Creative Direction of RiseUp Duo (Giovanni Gallio and Sara Capovilla, founders of Athleta Mag and Athleta Lab), and the cinematic vision of Giulia Fassina and her Team will be among the protagonists on Friday, the 6th, when the Venetian lagoon will show the ONA audience Beccaria’s universe.

For the occasion, we chatted with Giulia Fassina, Director of the project, and understood her perspectives.

How did you experience the intersection between the seventh art, filmmaking, and the noble art of sailing practiced by Ambrogio Beccaria?

“I was already lucky enough to work on other sailing projects. My first time was the 151 Miles, but I also remember, for example, the Rolex Cup. These competitions involved giant boats, large teams and fairly calm seas; with Ambrogio the situation was different. The boat has other dimensions, it’s much smaller, the sea becomes the ocean, and the relationship between the sailor and his surroundings is extremely intimate. I immersed myself in Ambrogio’s universe, and it was a unique experience, it was great to feel his contact with the wild side of the ocean and its elements…. While we were together he often repeated that he finds a personal balance in all this, and I really felt that. He does a very hard sporting art, where he always has to be focused and analyze endless details…. On ALLAGRANDE, every moment manages to be dynamic and energetic, a maneuver lasts a few seconds, and seconds make the difference. These kinetic peaks alternate with strategy, attention to weather, study of currents…. I think documentaries should be collections of experiences, and ‘HOW FAR YOU CAN GO’ is shaped by this idea.”

HOME, SOLO, ROUTES and LIMITLESS are the four thematic chapters of this movie, what is the meaning of this narrative flow?

“First of all, we must always remember that we are talking about a short film, so we could not go into every detail. In my opinion, we managed to create a structure that allows us to discover Ambrogio’s oceanic life in an evocative, emotional way. We wanted to intrigue the viewers, to inspire them to explore the ALLAGRANDE project and the exploits of this sailor even more. We started with a moment of reflection, where we highlighted the relationship between boat, man and nature, then we focused on the study and preparation of the routes, and finally we dive into the action and performance. In the first two chapters we focus on the synergy with the ocean, the attraction between Ambrogio and the waves. He says he feels good when he is in the water, calls the ocean his home. We follow him as he sets up the boat – the calm before the storm. I particularly like the third chapter, ROUTES, because it emphasizes the strategic side of this discipline. Portraying Ambrogio in front of monitors as he deciphers the weather conditions fascinated me. Another part I appreciate about the documentary is the use of footage shot directly by Ambrogio during the competitions. He makes us break through the barrier of the screen, taking us into his adversities. During the editing I was simultaneously following his regatta from Lorient to New York, it was inspiring, and his social accounts somehow influenced the narrative structure itself. Overall, we wanted to give a taste of Ambrogio’s sailing cosmos, and I’m definitely happy with the final result.”

‘HOW FAR YOU CAN GO’ was produced in synergy with K-WAY, a brand that supports the ALLAGRANDE project, how did you experience this collaboration?

“It was a dream and an honor, collaborating with such relevant brands gives you confidence, makes you feel good. I think documentaries and creative projects like this have extra value because they are cultural first. I appreciate brands like K-WAY, because they give the opportunity to develop this kind of storytelling, and they become platforms for real sports culture, elevating the stories of unique athletes, like Beccaria. This is not at all taken for granted. My Team, Creative Directors RiseUp Duo and the entire Athleta Lab Team had total freedom of expression and creativity, I simply loved being part of this project.”

We have met many times at the ONA Short Film Festival, this year your name will be on screen, how does this news make you feel?

“It’s exciting. I still remember when we first met at ONA, even with the rest of the Athleta Team. It was a few years ago, and the quality of the Festival, as well as the various productions, immediately inspired me. I love cinema, and since that time I’ve been waiting to bring something with high aesthetic and narrative value to ONA. I feel emotion in ONA films, and emotion always triggers something good. I’ve attended it many times as a viewer, now I’m really happy to be part of this edition, and to see ‘HOW FAR YOU CAN GO’ on the magical Island of San Servolo. The screening will be on the evening of Friday the 6th, don’t miss it.”

Visit onafilmfestival.com to get more information, attend this evocative event and enjoy the Athleta Lab x K-WAY production ‘HOW FAR YOU CAN GO’.