"NEUTRINOLESS DOUBLE BETA DECAY SEARCHES WITH BACKGROUND-FREE DETECTORS" Neutrinoless double beta decay is a hypothesized nuclear transition whose observation would help resolve the puzzle of the nature of the neutrino (Dirac or Majorana fermion). In addition, it would provide a measurement of the neutrino mass. The excellent energy resolution, efficiency, and cleanliness of bolometric (microcalorimetric) detectors make them ideal candidates to play a leading role in the search for neutrinoless double beta decays. I will illustrate the most recent advances in the development of scintillating bolometers. This is the new frontier for bolometers, aiming to provide an answer to the compelling need of background-free detectors for this important search.