Silvia Busacca's documentary 'Waterbus' has been officially selected for the New York Film and Cinematography Awards 2026, an international festival celebrating independent cinema. The film, which pays homage to Venice and its iconic waterbus system, received the highest possible score of 10/10 in the Sound & Music category from the festival's evaluators.
Filmed entirely in Venice, 'Waterbus' combines evocative imagery with philosophical and literary references to create a poetic journey through the city's canals, bridges, and timeless atmosphere. Busacca, who wrote and directed the documentary, describes Venice as 'a splendid and luminous pearl wrapped in the sound of violins,' and the film's soundscape was particularly praised for its quality of vocal narration and atmospheric design.
The narration is performed by Gianluca Testa, a film producer and director of Teatro Formativo in Rome, whose voice contributes to the contemplative and emotional tone of the documentary. The film was produced in collaboration with Teatro Formativo and the International Center for Generative Expressivity Studies (CISEG) in Rome, both educational institutions specializing in film directing, acting, and creative performance training.
This selection marks a significant milestone for 'Waterbus,' which continues its international festival journey after being presented at several Italian and international events. The documentary aims to promote Italian culture globally, celebrating Venice as a universal symbol of history, art, and inspiration while honoring the waterbuses that shape life across the Venetian Lagoon.
For more information about the film and its festival run, visit the official selection page at bestfilmawards.com and Busacca's profile at filmfreeway.com/silviabusacca.
