Starting Thursday, February 27, STEP FuturAbility District (Piazza Adriano Olivetti 1, Milan), as part of its rich program of events exploring topics related to new technologies, presents the second edition of “Tech, si gira!” – the film festival showcasing cult films about science fiction and technology.
After the great success of the first edition, which attracted over 1,200 attendees and tackled crucial societal themes such as robotics and artificial intelligence, this year the series is enriched with new topics, including climate change and space economy technologies.
With “Tech, si gira!” STEP aims to be a place where the complexity of the technological world can also be examined through cinema. At the end of each screening, a discussion with the audience will follow, moderated by Massimo Temporelli, Scientific Director and curator of the festival, together with scientists, journalists, academics, and communicators. The festival represents a unique opportunity to reflect on the major themes of our technological future and to spark new ideas and reflections based on the films presented.
Thursday, February 27 – 6:30 PM
The first screening will be “The Martian” by Ridley Scott, which will transport the audience to Mars and into a realm where technology and human ingenuity become essential for survival. The film, rich in insights on scientific innovation, resilience, and adaptation, will open the discussion on space and the future frontiers of space exploration. Attendees include Amalia Ercoli Finzi, aerospace engineer and scientist, and Adrian Fartade, science communicator, writer, and YouTuber, who will explore together the technical, social, and economic challenges linked to humanity’s expansion into the cosmos.
Thursday, March 20 – 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM
The event features “The Iron Giant,” directed by Brad Bird, which tells the unlikely friendship between a boy and an extraterrestrial robot, set against a Cold War backdrop. The film will serve as a starting point to discuss the role of artificial intelligence, technological education, and the acceptance of the new and unknown. With Giulietta Fara, Director of the Future Film Festival, and Federico Cella, journalist at Il Corriere della Sera, the discussion will investigate how these themes influence society and the perception of the future. This event is in collaboration with 24 Frame Future Fest, now in its 25th edition and recognized as Italy’s premier event dedicated to animation, media arts, visual effects, virtual and augmented reality, gaming, and artificial intelligence.
Thursday, April 17 – 6:30 PM to 10:00 PM
The spotlight will be on “Siccità” (Drought) by Paolo Virzì. The audience will be immersed in a scenario where climate change shapes daily life, prompting science and technology to find extreme and innovative solutions. The film will spark a discussion on the water crisis, climate migrations, and the technological interventions necessary for a sustainable future. With climatologist, professor, and author Elisa Palazzi and environmental explorer and advocate Alex Bellini, the conversation will explore how science and policy can work together to address urgent environmental challenges.
Thursday, May 29 – 6:30 PM to 10:00 PM
The screening is dedicated to “I, Robot” by Alex Proyas, a film that contrasts artificial intelligence with ethical dilemmas, focusing on the relationship between humans and machines. With Giulia Belgiovine, a researcher at the Italian Institute of Technology in Genoa, and Salvatore Majorana, Director of Kilometro Rosso, Bergamo’s Innovation District, the discussion will explore themes of robotics, AI, and human responsibility in designing autonomous systems.
Thursday, June 12 – 6:30 PM to 10:00 PM
“Blade Runner,” directed by Ridley Scott, will be shown. This classic film addresses the nature of identity, memory, and artificial consciousness. In a dystopian future, technological implications intertwine with existential questions. With contributions from Carlo Mazzola, researcher at the Italian Institute of Technology, and cybersecurity expert and writer Pierguido Iezzi, the ensuing discussion will delve into the differences between the human and the artificial and the risks of social manipulation in the era of technological surveillance.
Thursday, September 11 – 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM
STEP presents the documentary “Apollo 11,” directed by Todd Douglas Miller. The screening takes the audience back to the era of great space achievements, marked by visionary leaps and cutting-edge technology, highlighting how the space race has influenced our society, innovation, and international cooperation. With journalist and space economy expert Emilio Cozzi and astrophysicist Simonetta Di Pippo, the discussion will consider the current meaning of space exploration, its commercial challenges, and the technological implications of the new era of extraterrestrial flight.
Thursday, October 23 – 6:30 PM to 10:00 PM
The event features the science fiction film “The Matrix,” directed by Lana and Lilly Wachowski. The film, which explores the relationship between technology and humanity, combines elements of cyberpunk, philosophy, and action to immerse the viewer in a dystopian universe where reality is an illusion generated by machines that have taken control. “The Matrix” not only dazzles with innovative visual effects and a complex narrative but also raises profound questions about the essence of existence and the relationship between man and technology. Following the screening, a discussion will be held with Michele Rho, director and screenwriter, and Cristina Pozzi, CEO and Co-Founder of Edulia, Italy’s hub for formal and informal edu.tech.
Thursday, November 6 – 6:30 PM to 10:00 PM
“Minority Report,” directed by Steven Spielberg, is scheduled. Set in a world where an advanced crime prediction system challenges free will, this film offers an opportunity to debate predictive artificial intelligence, surveillance, and the protection of individual rights. The discussion will feature computer engineer and professor Federico Cabitza and Italian Tech director Federico Ferrazza, providing insights on how prevention and control can coexist without sacrificing personal freedom.
Thursday, December 4 – 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM
The final event features “I, Daniel Blake,” directed by Ken Loach. The story of its protagonist, struggling against a digitalized bureaucracy detached from human reality, invites reflection on the risks of technological exclusion and the digital divide. The ensuing discussion will include members of STEP’s Scientific Committee – Roberta Cocco, Sergio Scalpelli, and Marco Bentivogli – along with Engineer Guido Arnone, Chief Technology Officer of the Municipality of Milan, examining how digital transformation can and should serve people, ensuring inclusion and dignity for all.
For the second consecutive year, the sponsor of “Tech, si gira!” is Npo Sistemi, a system integrator within the Ricoh Group, which simplifies work processes through the best technologies, services, and solutions available on the market.
Free admission by reservation
www.steptothefuture.it/techsigira