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We report on the realization and characterization of a ‘free space’ diffractive optical filter based on a periodic structure realized in soft composite materials. By combining a high stability optical holographic setup with a light sensitive composite mixture, we have realized a structure made of polymeric slices alternated to pure, well aligned, nematic liquid crystals. Its polarization dependent diffractive properties have been exploited for realizing a diffractive, band-gap based, broadband optical filter. The sample is characterized in terms of its morphological, optical and electro-optical properties. We show that both electric fields and temperature variations can be exploited to tune the position of the diffractive band-gap of about 83 nm and 116 nm respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]