New documentary shows how people and nature are thriving together in the Central Apennines

Changing the narrative for nature and people

The Central Apennines are one of Italy’s wildest regions, where ancient villages and untamed nature exist side by side. Despite centuries of human presence, these mountains remain a stronghold for a diverse range of wildlife, including iconic species such as the Marsican brown bear, Apennine wolf, and Apennine chamois.

This diversity is also reflected in the social and demographic make-up of the area, with myriad small villages and towns dotted across the landscape – rich in rural traditions, local dialects, and distinctive architecture. With farming declining in the second half of the twentieth century, causing large numbers of people to move away, many of these communities have long faced a range of challenges. Today, however, rewilding is offering a fresh new perspective – one of revival, resilience, and reconnecting people with nature.

For over ten years, the Rewilding Apennines team have been working to transform the ecological and socio-economic narrative in the Central Apennines by promoting nature recovery and helping people and wild nature thrive together. Alongside efforts to protect and restore habitats and support wildlife comeback, they are also taking steps to ensure local residents can live alongside and benefit from wilder nature – for example, through the growth of nature-based tourism and the development of natural products.

Showcasing a flourishing landscape

“The Central Apennines: A Story of Co-existence” – a new and beautiful documentary by award-winning French filmmaker Emmanuel Rondeau – showcases the work being carried out by the Rewilding Apennines team to create conditions where communities and wild nature can flourish together. Through captivating videography, it depicts nature recovery and wildlife comeback in this unique part of Italy, and shows how people’s emotional connections with animals such as bear and wolves are changing as a result of rewilding.

“The Central Apennines are everything anyone could dream about Italy,” says Emmanuel Rondeau. “Fantastic architecture, light, food, people – and also amazing wildlife. But what makes this area absolutely special is how all of these things are connected and form an indivisible whole. With this film I tried to show how rewilding is enhancing co-existence between the human and non-human world, step by step, day after day.”

“This beautifully captured short film highlights one of the most important transitions of our time: learning how to share space with wildlife again and thrive together,” adds Laurien Holtjer, Rewilding Europe’s Director of Engagement and Public Relations. “It tells a powerful story of people who are leading the way forward through practical action based on trust, dialogue, and collaboration. I hope it inspires pride in everybody involved by showing that wilder landscapes can benefit us all.”

Intimate and inspirational

Efforts to enhance co-existence between people and nature in the Central Apennines are grounded in the reality of how people living in the landscape interact with wildlife on a daily basis. Emmanuel’s documentary intertwines numerous personal stories, including efforts to help people live alongside the area’s endangered Marsican brown bear population – for example, through the installation of electric fences to protect property and livestock. It also portrays the rewilding team’s work to restore the free flow of water in the Giovenco River through dam removal. This is not only advancing nature recovery in and around the river, but has the potential to benefit local communities through the development of nature-based tourism in the Giovenco Valley.

“This film is a wonderful journey through evocative places and environments, full of encounters with those who strongly believe that the return of nature can shape a better future for humanity,” says Rewilding Apennines team leader Mario Cipollone, who features in the documentary. “I hope it will inspire confidence and hope in others who love the Central Apennines and wish to be part of the shift towards a world where both nature and people benefit each other and prosper.”

Invaluable support

Rewilding Europe’s work across our rewilding landscapes is supported by a wide range of highly valued partners. We would particularly like to acknowledge those providing core funding – notably the Ecological Restoration Fund, the Dutch Postcode Lottery, WWF-Netherlands, and Arcadia. Their longstanding support plays a critical role in enabling us to deliver and scale up rewilding impact.

Public and online premiere

“The Central Apennines: A Story of Co-existence” is the fifth installment in a series of inspiring short films by Emmanuel Rondeau – called the Wilder Europe series – designed to showcase the work of Rewilding Europe. These are being produced with financial support from global law firm Hogan Lovells. Emmanuel’s latest production will enjoy its public premiere on July 4 at 1730 CET in the city of L’Aquila, at the University of L’Aquila’s prestigious Luigi Zordan Congress Centre.

Following the public screening next month, the documentary will be available to view online through Rewilding Europe’s YouTube channel on July 8 at 1800 CET. We warmly invite everyone to watch it!

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