JAI is a sports and action short film directed by Francesco Baldini and Silvia Zennaro, made as a student project. The film explores the world of Muay Thai, a martial art combining physical strength, technique and self-discipline, through the story of two friends united by the same passion but destined to compete for a single goal.
The narrative follows Juan and Daniele in their final days of preparation for a Muay Thai bout. When the coach chooses only one of them to enter the ring, the decision tests their friendship and loyalty, prompting reflection on the values of sport and personal sacrifice.
The protagonists, played by Giovanni Carlos Burbello and Daniele Pellicciari, embody two sides of the same competitive tension: on one hand, determination and the desire to prove oneself; on the other, the emotional strain of being left behind. The sporting context, recreated through training and physical preparation scenes, becomes the backdrop to a story of rivalry, identity and personal growth.
Shot in digital 2.35:1 colour format, the film was completed on 18 July 2025. Despite its short duration, JAI manages to condense the intensity and tension of the Muay Thai world into a few minutes, realistically recounting the dynamics of friendship and competition that characterise this sport.
Film Details
Title: JAI
Original title: JAI
Director: Francesco Baldini, Silvia Zennaro
Production: [Not specified]
Country: Italy
Language: Italian
Running time: 5 minutes 16 seconds
Genre: Sports, Action, Drama
Sport featured: Muay Thai
Protagonists: Giovanni Carlos Burbello, Daniele Pellicciari
Completion date: 18 July 2025
Premiere: [Not specified]
Distributor: [Not specified]
Shooting format: Digital, 2.35:1, colour
Director's first film: No
Student project: Yes