“Simulating Religious Violence” screening at John Cabot University highlights alumnae contribution

In November of 2025, Simulating Religious Violence returned to John Cabot University in Rome for a special screening that felt less like a campus premiere and more like a homecoming. Hosted by JCU’s Department of Psychological and Social Sciences and the MA in International Affairs, the event brought together students, faculty, and alumni to reflect on a documentary that has continued to travel widely—and on the people who helped bring it to life.

The screening was introduced by the Director of JCU's MA in International Affairs, Dr. Michael Driessen, who celebrated how the film is the story of a research project, and an important testimonial to the value of groundbreaking, risky research. The film screening was followed by a conversation with director Jenn Lindsay and several JCU alumnae who contributed to the film in foundational ways and have since gone on to build careers in media, production, and related fields. For current students in the audience, the evening offered a concrete look at how an early hands-on experience—sometimes a first internship or first credit—can shape long-term professional paths. Testimonials from these recent JCU alumnae who contributed to the film’s production and release examined how they translated complex social-scientific research on topics such as AI, migration, and radicalization into accessible stories for broad audiences. For current students in attendance, it was a chance to see how a JCU education can echo outward into meaningful public scholarship and professional media careers.

From Research to Story: Inside the Film

Simulating Religious Violence (SRV) is a documentary that examines the aftermath of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing and the heightened prejudices it intensified against certain religious groups. The film follows a team of scientists and programmers from the Modeling Religion Project (MRP) who use AI-based simulations to study how religious beliefs and social dynamics can lead to conflict. Their broader aim is to generate data-driven insights that can help shape policies designed to anticipate and prevent future acts of religious violence.

At the screening, Lindsay and members of the production team spoke about the complexity and care required to tell such a story responsibly—especially in today’s climate, which is often marked by polarization and public disagreement. In the early stages of development, many members of the team held different perspectives and were unsure how the project would be received.

Francesca Cucuzza, who worked on the production team, reflected on those early conversations:

“I quickly realized everyone involved genuinely wanted to make a difference, and I felt excited – though a bit unsure about its marketability.”

Despite these uncertainties, the team collaborated closely to ensure fairness, nuance, and clarity remained at the forefront of the film. Over time—and through many meetings and revisions—the project came into focus as a work that balanced education and awareness around urgent social issues connected to religious radicalization.

JCU Alumnae at the Heart of the Project

A central focus of the evening was the panel of JCU alumnae whose work on SRV served as an early professional milestone—and, in many cases, a launchpad for their careers in media and production. The panel featured:

• Anastasiia Lazareva (BA in Communications, ’23) – Motion Graphics and Animation Assistant

• Manuela Barroso (BA in International Affairs and International Business, ’23) – Assistant Producer

• Francesca Cucuzza (BA in Marketing, Minors in Communications and Business Administration, ’22) – Marketing and Educational Distribution

• Danielle Roberts (BA in Communications, Minor in Creative Writing, ’21) – Animator

Together, they described how their JCU coursework intersected with hands-on production work—helping them learn how to communicate complex ideas clearly, collaborate across disciplines, and meet real-world deadlines.

The success of SRV opened doors many of the team members did not initially anticipate.

Manuela Barroso shared how formative the experience was for her professional development:

“SRV allowed me to have my first experience as an Assistant Producer, it allowed me to travel to Switzerland to represent the documentary at a film festival, Visions du Réel, and it was my first experience learning and experimenting with educational and international distribution.”

Since graduating, three of the alumnae on the panel have gone on to graduate programs in professional media management and production, and all are now working as professionals in their respective fields—an outcome they directly linked to the confidence, skills, and credits gained through the project.

Learning by Doing: Professional Formation In Practice

As the work on Simulating Religious Violence continued, so did the growth of the broader team. What began as a single project evolved into a wider professional formation ecosystem now known as the Emerging Creators Network, which has included more than 150 interns to date.

Many participants joined without extensive technical backgrounds, bringing instead curiosity, commitment, and a desire to learn. Over time, they took on increasingly complex responsibilities, supported by mentorship and collaboration.

Anastasiia Lazareva, who worked on animation and graphics for SRV, reflected on that experience:

“It may be scary sometimes to face new challenges, but be sure, here you will meet amazing people who will support you along the way.”

That ethos continues to shape newer projects, including Religion Stories and Minding Shadows, which are also being developed with teams that include emerging media professionals alongside experienced collaborators.

A Moment of Reflection--and Momentum

The evening concluded with an open Q&A, followed by informal conversation and photos. For many in the room, the event underscored not only the impact of the film itself, but the value of long-term mentorship and experiential learning.

As Lindsay noted during the discussion:

“I’m so grateful to the subjects of the film and to my team at So Fare Films, all of whom made this film possible through their generosity, transparency, and good will.”

The atmosphere at the close of the event carried a sense of pride—not just in a finished documentary, but in the trajectories now unfolding from it. For the JCU alumnae on the panel, Simulating Religious Violence was not an endpoint, but an early chapter in careers that continue to grow outward from their time at John Cabot University.

Learn more about Simulating Religious Violence here!