Filò: A Legend of the Moon on Lake Garda | Valentina Vannicola

In Filò, Valentina Vannicola tells the whimsical story of a community of fishermen on Lake Garda who attempt to capture the moon so they no longer have to fish in the dark.

Valentina Vannicola is a photographer whose work explores the relationship between literature and photography, with a particular focus on how photography can give shape to stories.

The Filò series emerged from an encounter between Vannicola and the residents of San Felice del Benaco, a town on the shores of Lake Garda in Italy’s Lombardy region. Through this collaboration, Vannicola delves into the area’s rich history, stories, and legends.

The community of San Felice del Benaco takes centre stage in the project, playing an active role throughout its creation—from conducting research to appearing in the photographs as non-professional actors.

Filò is a word from the local dialect, recalling a tradition when farmers and their families would gather in barns to tell stories and hold night-time vigils.