City of Mermaids

A Femminielli double bill offering a poetic journey between the sacred and the profane, these films take us into the back streets and working-class neighbourhoods of Naples to meet the Femminielli—an ancient non-binary community that has been part of the city's social and spiritual fabric for over 2,000 years. Long respected within Neapolitan society, the Femminielli have traditionally served as carers of children, symbols of good fortune, and spiritual figures, connected to pagan rituals as well as Catholic traditions.

Together, the films explore the rich cultural heritage of the Femminielli while reflecting on the impact of globalization on language, identity, and the survival of local traditions.