The ARSINOE project is proud to present Grains of Change, a documentary exploring the past, present, and future of durum wheat in the Mediterranean, with a spotlight on Sardinia, Italy.

Durum wheat is at the heart of Sardinian identity, shaping its bread, pasta, and traditions. Yet climate change is putting enormous pressure on this vital crop. Farmers face a fragile balance: too much rain or too little, and harvests — and incomes — suffer. Behind these fluctuations lies a deeper question: how can Mediterranean agriculture adapt in a way that safeguards both the land and the people who cultivate it?

Through the voices of farmers, scientists, and innovators, Grains of Change offers a comprehensive look at the challenges and opportunities facing durum wheat cultivation. The film also highlights adaptation pathways being developed in Sardinia through the ARSINOE case study, showcasing how research and innovation can provide concrete solutions for sustainable agriculture.

To reach different audiences, the documentary is available in two versions:

  • Short version (10 minutes): designed for conferences, lectures, and educational contexts.
  • Full version (50 minutes): offering a deeper dive into the realities of farmers, researchers, and communities working on the frontlines of climate adaptation.

Watch the documentary here.

Grains of Change is not just a story about wheat — it’s about resilience, tradition, and the urgent need for innovation in the face of climate change.

Acknowledgements

This documentary was created, directed and produced by Isabelle La Jeunesse (University of Tours, Laboratory CNRS CITERES) with the primary objective of showcasing the work conducted by ARSINOE in Sardinia to inspire adaptation efforts of staple cereal production to climate change in the broader Mediterranean region.

It is the result of the collaboration of a research team including Claudia Cirelli (University of Tours, Laboratory CNRS CITERES), Marco Dettori (AGRIS, Italy), Jean-Philippe Corbellini (CNRS, MSH Val de Loire), Alicia Blanchi-Sic (University of Tours, Laboratory CNRS CITERES), with a key contribution from master student Claudia Araceli Fritz (Université Côte d’Azur, University of Tours Laboratory CNRS CITERES). A big thank you to Peaking Production for all the hard work in post-production. Other contributions came from partners including AGRIS (Italy), CIMMYT (Mexico), Entreprise Cellino (Italy) and Molino Secci (Italy), and also from the Idea Lab, many farmers from Sardinia and experts of food security such as Christopher Barrett, Patrick Caron, Jessica Fanzo … The film is part of the European project ARSINOE, supported by the University of Tours, CNRS, CITERES and MSH Val de Loire.

© ARSINOE