Focus
Interview with Charlie Trainer, Stand-In Actor on Modern Family and Network TV Series
Charlie Trainer is a stand-in actor who has worked on some of television’s most recognizable productions, including the long-running Modern Family and other network series. Trained in acting, Charlie brings a diverse background—from a degree [...]
Interview with Michele Greco, the producer who brings together Italian and American talent
Michele Greco is a widely respected executive producer and line producer who has built a solid reputation working in the main North American production hubs, such as Los Angeles, Atlanta, and major Canadian cities. Over [...]
In conversation with Vicki Dobbs Beck
Vicki Dobbs Beck is the Vice President of Immersive Content at Lucasfilm and Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), focused on ILM’s award-winning Immersive Storytelling portfolio. With a career spanning over 30 years at Lucasfilm, she has contributed to some of the [...]
In Conversation with Pietro Scalia
The Art of Editing Is Listening to the Story Pietro Scalia is one of the most awarded and respected film editors in the international film industry. Born in Sicily and raised in Switzerland, he trained [...]
Interview with the Italian Film Commissions Association. Insights from President Jacopo Chessa and Vice Presidents Alessandra Miletto & Fabio Abagnato on Italy’s Audiovisual Landscape
The Italian Film Commissions Association (IFC) is the national body that coordinates Italy’s 19 regional Film Commissions. The association promotes Italy as a strategic destination for both national and international audiovisual productions, representing the system’s [...]
Interview with Marco Spagnoli, Artistic Director of the Italian Global Series Festival: Italy’s Serialized Storytelling Goes Global
From June 21 to 28, 2025, Rimini and Riccione will host the inaugural edition of the Italian Global Series Festival, a new international event dedicated to television series. Leading its artistic direction is Marco Spagnoli—director, [...]
In Conversation with Gary Lucchesi
Gary Lucchesi is one of Hollywood’s most respected producers and studio executives. After beginning his career at the William Morris Agency — where he became one of the youngest talent agents in the company’s history — he went on to hold senior leadership roles at Tri-Star Pictures and Paramount, overseeing landmark films including Ghost, The Untouchables, The Godfather Part III, and The Hunt for Red October. In 1998 he joined Lakeshore Entertainment, producing more than sixty films and series, including the Academy Award–winning Million Dollar Baby [...]
Exploring Venice Immersive with Co-curator Liz Rosenthal
Venice Immersive is the section of the Venice International Film Festival entirely dedicated to works of virtual reality, augmented reality, and immersive arts. Established in 2017 as the first official competition for Extended Reality (XR) works within an A-list film festival, Venice Immersive quickly became an international benchmark for the experimentation and advancement of new narrative and technological languages. With its creation, the Venice Biennale became the world’s first major film festival to host a section exclusively dedicated to immersive [...]
Interview with Gaia Tridente – Director of MIA |Mercato Internazionale Audiovisivo, Rome
MIA – Mercato Internazionale Audiovisivo in Rome – promoted by ANICA (National Association of Cinematographic, Audiovisual and Digital Industries), chaired by Alessandro Usai, and APA (Audiovisual Producers Association), chaired by Chiara Sbarigia, and directed by Gaia Tridente – has become one of Europe’s leading hubs for networking, co-production, and the development of audiovisual content on a global scale. Every year, in the unique setting of Palazzo Barberini and Cinema Barberini, MIA brings together producers, distributors, broadcasters, platforms, and talent, fostering [...]
Playing God: Arianna Gheller on the Journey of an Oscar-Qualifying Short
Playing God, directed by Matteo Burani and produced by Arianna Gheller, is a 2024 animated short that represents an Italy–France co-production, with Italy as the majority partner. Produced by Studio Croma Animation, the film is distributed internationally by Autour de Minuit and in Italy by Sayonara Film, and has already achieved remarkable success on the festival circuit. To date, Playing God has garnered 160 official selections, including 13 Oscar-qualifying, and won 80 awards. Among its most prestigious recognitions are the [...]
