Vatican to submit documentary for Oscar consideration

The Vatican will submit the short documentary Green Lava for consideration in the Best Documentary Short Film category at the 2026 Academy Awards. This marks the first time a film from the Vatican City State has been submitted for Oscar consideration.

Produced through a collaboration between Vatican Media, Radio Vatican, and Vatican News, the approximately 40-minute film was directed by Lia Beltrami and Ali Mahir Aksu. The documentary follows Giacomo Mattivi, a 22-year-old university student living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Filmed against the Dolomite mountains, the movie profiles Mattivi’s life as a soccer fan and small business manager while he uses a wheelchair and a ventilator.

The film completed a qualifying run at the Lumiere Music Hall in Los Angeles from September 18 to September 24.