OnFoods goes beyond traditional research, exploring innovative ways of communicating science through the medium of cinema. The project 'Sweet End of the World' is a prime example: an immersive 360° short film addressing the theme of food sustainability and its impact on climate change.

The documentary, winner of the Rai Cinema Channel VR Award at the Filmmaker Fest 2024, tells the story of a mother who, while breastfeeding her child, narrates an apocalyptic fable about human greed and its consequences for the planet.

Using virtual reality, the audience is invited to confront humanity's future and reflect on the relationship between food production, consumption, and the climate crisis.

The short film employs metaphors and elements of mythological storytelling to illustrate the causes of the current situation, such as the melting of glaciers.

Stefano Conca Bonizzoni, the film's director, is an experienced filmmaker and documentarian. Having worked as a cameraman for Sky Italia and directed documentaries and installations in prominent Milanese museums, he has turned to virtual reality to experiment with new forms of documentary storytelling.

In the words of Stefano Conca Bonizzoni:

Food lies at the heart of the climate crisis: from production methods to food waste, our food system is among the main contributors to global environmental impact. A cultural paradigm shift is essential—one that transforms how we produce, distribute, and consume food, placing ecosystem regeneration and a more balanced relationship with the planet at its core. VR cinema can be a powerful awareness-raising tool, capable of inspiring reflection and fostering the political dialogue needed to envision and build alternatives.

Sweet End of the World was produced by Officine Creative (University of Pavia), Motion Pixel, and Notte Americana.

The short film belongs to the documentary genre but adopts a neorealist approach, avoiding direct interviews and captions to present reality as it is. Its narrative structure, enriched by a voiceover, leans towards storytelling, creating a multifaceted and original work. A key technical feature of the short film is its use of stereoscopic 180° footage, later combined to create a 360° spherical view*.

The project’s primary goal is to raise awareness, particularly among young audiences, about sustainability and food ethics, offering an engaging and thought-provoking experience.