Blog
When I was asked to follow Miss Universe Switzerland 2025, I immediately understood it was going to be a special experience, which then grew exponentially over time, giving me many new emotions. From the days of preparation to the official coronation evening, I realised that this assignment was not only about creating “beautiful images”, but about telling a story: the story of a young woman stepping into a role full of expectations, pressure and visibility, while at the same time trying to remain herself. At the centre of this experience is Naima Acosta, Miss Universe Switzerland 2025: twenty years old, born in Ticino, with Mexican roots. A combination of cultures that already says a lot about her way of feeling the world.
Looking Beyond the Crown
Working in film and photography, I am constantly surrounded by images that chase perfection: flawless skin, choreographed smiles, impeccable outfits. My challenge is always to look beyond the surface. With Naima, this happened naturally. During our first shootings I was struck by her way of listening to the team, the make-up artist, the photographers. She was present, centred, curious, never arrogant. Her beauty is evident, but what interested me most was that mix of strength and vulnerability between one pose and another: when she relaxes, laughs or lets a thread of doubt cross her gaze. As a filmmaker, these are the micro-moments I look for. The camera does not record only a face; it records how a person inhabits that face. With Naima I observed a quality that is rare for her age: the ability to be fully present without “performing”. It is an instinct that either exists or does not, and it cannot be taught. Looking at her through the lens, I thought that if one day she decided to dedicate herself to acting – with an appropriate training path – that spontaneity could become a very powerful tool. Cinema loves actors who access authentic emotions without forcing them, who know how to listen and react. Naima already has this foundation. The camera sees it and believes it.
Directing an Event as a Story
Miss Universe Switzerland is a live performance, and my task with Sapiens Production was to build a narrative through all of this. I approached the event like a short film. I started with wide shots to define the space – location, stage, lights, audience – then I moved closer, searching for intimacy in the close-ups on Naima and the other contestants, always aiming for spontaneity rather than the perfect pose. I therefore tried to tell a story through the details that transform documentation into narrative. The photography followed the same philosophy: spontaneous shots where the humanity of the moment was visible, not only perfect and controlled portraits. For corporate communication, these elements are essential: they allow partners and sponsors to show not only their logo on stage, but the living context they are part of and the emotions that give meaning to their presence.
Working with Brands Without Losing the Human Side
My role as a filmmaker was to make the presence of brands like Gold Beauty, Gusto Mediterraneo and Toskani feel organic, never forced. This means building frames where the brand exists but never overshadows the people at the centre of the story. When we filmed in locations connected to the partners, I treated them as lived-in spaces where something meaningful is happening: preparation, care, celebration, transformation. The visual language had to remain consistent – elegant, clean, respectful of the Miss Universe Switzerland identity – but also faithful to what was actually happening. People do not connect with logos; they connect with emotions, stories, other people. If I show an authentic moment of care or shared joy, the brand that made it possible becomes part of something bigger.
Building a Relationship with the Protagonist
Over time, as we filmed different moments with Naima, a relationship of trust grew – one of the most delicate and important aspects of my work. A camera can easily become a barrier. My goal is to turn it into a bridge. With Naima, this meant taking time to talk before and after the shootings, not only about technical aspects but about how she felt, what she was going through, what worried or excited her. I made her an active part of the creative process, leaving space for her ideas and respecting her rhythms, her tiredness, her emotions during long working days. The more a person feels seen and respected – truly seen, not only as an image to be captured – the more the camera can reveal their real presence. That is where her authenticity emerged: a young woman who is strong but not closed, sensitive without being fragile, capable of bearing the weight of a crown without losing her way of being in the world. She never tried to become someone else. She brought herself, fully, into every moment. For me, this is the most precious material: moments of a person learning to navigate visibility and public attention without giving up her essence. As a filmmaker, I believe this authenticity is what distinguishes a good subject from a compelling one. Naima has the potential to do whatever she wants – fashion, acting if she decides to study it, or any path that requires genuine connection with people. That spontaneity is a value that goes beyond any title.
Being a Filmmaker with Purpose
Being a filmmaker and photographer today, in contexts such as events, brands and glamorous stages, means consciously choosing what to look for beyond the surface. The risk of simply “producing content” that fills feeds for one day is always there, but it is not the only possible path. For me, the work is built on three pillars: the humanity behind every role, the story of effort and emotion behind every event, and the real values behind every collaboration with brands. This is what guides me and Sapiens Production – holding together professional quality, the concrete needs of sponsors and partners, and a deep respect for the people who entrust us with their face and their image. Naima has been a precious encounter in this sense. And my commitment, from Miss Universe Switzerland 2025 to a human rights festival in Naples, is to keep searching for this authenticity in every project. Images and trends pass, but what remains is the way we look at and preserve the people within those images.
A special thanks to the Miss Universe Switzerland organization and the partners who made this journey possible: Gold Beauty, Gusto Mediterraneo, and Toskani.
LINK
VIDEO YOUTUBE Resume Miss Switzerland 2025 by Antonio Manco
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cos6Pq98VL8
SITO MISS UNIVERSE
https://www.missuniverseswitzerland.ch/en
SITO Antonio Manco
https://antoniomancoproduction.com/
SITO SAPIENS PRODUCTION
https://sapiensproduction.com/
SITO Gold Beauty
Sito Gusto Mediterraneo
https://www.gusto-mediterraneo.ch/
Sito Toskani
Subscribe to my newsletter and discover the latest news.
Sapiens Production
Founder
Antonio Manco is a founder of Sapiens Production, a leading audiovisual production company known for its impactful and innovative content.
Specializing in high-quality films, documentaries, and corporate videos, Sapiens Production resonates with audiences worldwide. Antonio’s expertise in storytelling and cinematic vision ensures each project meets the highest standards of creativity and excellence, pushing the boundaries of audiovisual media to deliver inspiring and engaging narratives.
Case studies
Carefully crafted designs for innovative projects
Welcome to my production world!
Immerse yourself in my showcase to witness the diverse range of jobs my clients have truly enjoyed.
ANTONIO MANCO
ALTE LANDSTRASSE 147, 8700 KÜSNACHT ZH SWITZERLAND
+41 77 523 16 41
Privacy Statement Cookie Policy Imprint © Copyright 2025, Sapiens Production.
