The question I get asked most often is, “How do you find the stories for your documentaries?” My general answer is research: I read extensively, follow the news, engage with social issues, and explore topics that pique my curiosity; essentially I follow the breadcrumbs to discover what might resonate with audiences. However, upon reflection, one element has consistently influenced my selection of stories that ultimately lead to successful projects: chance.
I am fascinated by the meaning of chance and the unintentional connections that occur between people. At the same time I believe in intention: if we desire something deeply enough, it will eventually manifest in one form or another. For instance, I am convinced that encountering a random individual is often the subconscious result of our thoughts, emotions, desires, and fantasies. Throughout my journey, I’ve experienced several instances where chance encounters have led to remarkable documentaries. Here are some of those stories:
The Rise of Espresso
In June of 2022, I traveled to Italy. It was the last time I would see my grandfather, Raffaele. That meeting ignited my desire to document his story, as...
My Grandfather’s Oboe
In September 2016, I was having lunch with two colleagues from RAI, the Italian national broadcasting company, at Match 65, a French restaurant two blocks from the TV studio....
Viola contro tutti/Viola Against All Odds
In 2012, while filming an episode of a TV show in southern Italy, I found myself in Reggio, a city almost two hours’ drive from my hometown in Calabria....
Filmography
Sisters’ Keepers, ongoing
Director, Producer
The Rise of Espresso, 2024
Director, Editor
The Otoe-Missouria Tribe, 2022
Director, Editor - Short Documentary
Fedora, 2020
Cinematographer, Editor - Opera performance
Statale 106/State Road 106, 2019
Writer, Director, Editor
Pescatori/Fishermen, 2019
Writer, Director, Cinematographer, Editor
The Child I Was, 2019
Writer, Director, Editor - Branded short documentary
My Grandfather’s Oboe, 2018
Writer, Producer, Director, Editor
Via da noi/Far From Us, 2017
Director, Cinematographer, Editor
Mission, 2016
Writer, Director, Editor - Short documentary
Suona ancora/Keep Playing, 2015
Executive Producer
Viola contro tutti/Viola Against All Odds, 2014
Writer, Director
I figli della Shoah/Children of the Shoah, 2014
Executive Producer
I ghetti/Ghetto survivors, 2013
Executive Producer
Profondo Homar/Deep Homar, 2011
Director, Producer - Short documentary
Mammoni/Mama’s Boys, 2011
Executive Producer
Milano 2015 EXPOsed, 2011
Executive Producer
Crisi di classe/Middle Class Crisis, 2010
Executive Producer
Craxi: elogio del caprio espiatorio/Craxi: The Scapegoat, 2010
Film Producer
La lezione/The Lesson, 2009
Executive Producer
Soverato-Bully, 2004
Writer, Director
Filmography
Sisters’ Keepers, ongoing
Director, Producer
The Rise of Espresso, 2024
Director, Editor
The Otoe-Missouria Tribe, 2022
Director, Editor - Short Documentary
Fedora, 2020
Cinematographer, Editor - Opera performance
Statale 106/State Road 106, 2019
Writer, Director, Editor
Pescatori/Fishermen, 2019
Writer, Director, Cinematographer, Editor
The Child I Was, 2019
Writer, Director, Editor - Branded short documentary
My Grandfather’s Oboe, 2018
Writer, Producer, Director, Editor
Via da noi/Far From Us, 2017
Director, Cinematographer, Editor
Mission, 2016
Writer, Director, Editor - Short documentary
Suona ancora/Keep Playing, 2015
Executive Producer
Viola contro tutti/Viola Against All Odds, 2014
Writer, Director
I figli della Shoah/Children of the Shoah, 2014
Executive Producer
I ghetti/Ghetto survivors, 2013
Executive Producer
Profondo Homar/Deep Homar, 2011
Director, Producer - Short documentary
Mammoni/Mama’s Boys, 2011
Executive Producer
Milano 2015 EXPOsed, 2011
Executive Producer
Crisi di classe/Middle Class Crisis, 2010
Executive Producer
Craxi: elogio del caprio espiatorio/Craxi: The Scapegoat, 2010
Film Producer
La lezione/The Lesson, 2009
Executive Producer
Soverato-Bully, 2004
Writer, Director