The University of Trieste has signed a four-year Framework Agreement with the ‘Mattador’ Association to acquire, preserve and promote the cultural works created over its first 15 years of activity in the audiovisual and creative fields.

The association is the creator of the International Mattador Screenwriting Award dedicated to Matteo Caenazzo, aimed at young screenwriters, directors and concept designers aged between 16 and 30, both Italian and international. Over the years, this Trieste-based initiative has gained international recognition and prestige.

Through UniTS Museum Services (smaTs), the University of Trieste will gradually acquire the screenplays, short films, backstage videos and published books, overseeing their restoration, preservation, digitisation and promotion. A dedicated multimedia archive will be established – the Matteo Caenazzo fund and Mattador Award – which will serve as the foundation for cultural activities, public and social engagement initiatives designed to involve young people and the university community in the audiovisual and creative sectors.

The ‘Mattador’ cultural association has, over the course of its work, awarded more than 130 young authors, 80% of whom have found employment in the film industry. It has also granted over 80 scholarships and organised 15 Artist Prizes.

The initiative is dedicated to Matteo Caenazzo, a talented and eclectic young artist from Trieste, who graduated in decorative painting at the city’s art school and was awarded an honorary degree in film by Ca’ Foscari University of Venice. He expressed himself through painting, photography, video and writing, eventually embracing screenwriting. His artistic and professional dream was tragically cut short by his premature death at just 23 years old. By fostering creativity, research and outreach in the audiovisual sector, the University of Trieste will contribute to enabling new young talents to flourish in the spirit of Matteo’s poetic vision and passions.