interview Nina Vaclavikova
Interview: Francesco Cappellotto, a graphic designer from Trieste
The ShorTS Comics Marathon, an Italian graphic storytelling event that blends film and illustration, has returned for its ninth edition. Organized by Francesco Cappellotto, the event gathers screenwriters, illustrators, and comic artists from across the country for a creative relay that reimagines cinematic classics through the lens of comics.
This year’s theme, “Ultrapink,” focuses on the portrayal of female characters in film, highlighting iconic scenes and performances that helped define stars such as Uma Thurman in Kill Bill, Demi Moore in The Substance, and Whoopi Goldberg in Sister Act. Each participant contributes a short comic segment inspired by these cinematic moments, which are then woven together to form a larger, cohesive narrative.
At the heart of the project is Mary-L, a fictional protagonist who serves as the common thread linking the various episodes. Described as a young woman who once took refuge in social media and struggled to express her emotions, Mary-L evolves throughout the story, providing a unifying presence as the marathon unfolds.
The event is designed as a virtual relay: artists pass the narrative baton from one to another, each adding their interpretation and style. The opening episode of the story is already available to read online, inviting audiences to follow Mary-L’s journey as it takes shape across genres and artistic voices.
The winners of this year’s ShorTS Comics Marathon will be selected by a jury of notable figures in the Italian comics scene. The panel includes Sara Colaone, a long-established artist from Pordenone; Greta Xella, a rising talent in the world of graphic novels known for her whimsical and dreamlike universes; Federica Di Meo, one of Italy’s most recognized manga creators; and Alessio Fioriniello, a bold and unconventional voice in contemporary illustration.
As Italy continues to champion cross-disciplinary storytelling, the ShorTS Comics Marathon offers a platform not only for creative innovation but also for reflection on cinema’s evolving representation of women — one comic strip at a time.
