Who is Luca Pappadà?

I am the International Sales Coordinator of the international distribution department at Fandango. I began working in the film industry as an assistant director in Campania, contributing to several projects, including those of the acclaimed director Antonio Capuano, whom I am pleased to mention. I was then fortunate enough to join the editorial department at Cattleya before eventually moving into film distribution, collaborating over the years with several companies in the sector, including Coccinelle Film Sales and Minerva Pictures.

Cinema has always been part of my life, thanks to my father, Guido Pappadà, who has many years of experience in the industry as a visual effects supervisor and has received several nominations for the David di Donatello Awards.

What assessment can you make of your 79th Cannes Film Festival?

Given the current global geopolitical situation, I believe it would have been difficult to expect greater participation in the market. The real disappointment, unfortunately, is the ongoing shortage,following what was already seen at the Berlin Film Festival, of Italian projects within the Festival itself.

For this reason, we are proud that Fandango Sales can boast the only fully Italian production selected for the Festival, in the Cannes Classics section. This was made possible thanks to Francesco Zippel’s outstanding documentary “Vittorio De Sica – Una Vita in Scena”, produced by Quoiat Films and Cinecittà Luce.

Despite this rare exception, it is important to reflect on the work being done for the industry by the government, which evidently is not producing the desired results. This creates a vicious cycle that not only affects the nation’s cultural production but also undermines the export potential and international promotion that cinema can provide to the Italian brand. In a country that relies heavily on tourism, this should certainly not be considered a secondary issue.

What do you like and dislike about the world today?

We live in an era where opinions and beliefs are increasingly polarized. If we want to preserve the system of rights and responsibilities upon which Western democracies have fortunately been built, I believe it is essential to restore healthy dialogue. Unfortunately, from what I observe, such dialogue is often missing in many of the issues debated in public discourse.

This is why cinema and culture are important tools that deserve renewed appreciation. They should offer the opportunity to explore and portray the shades of gray within a generation that too often sees everything as either black or white.

What is your opinion on the use of AI in cinema, in all its various forms?

If we look at the evolution of creative expression throughout history, the tools and methods of artistic creation have always changed, and they have rarely been welcomed without skepticism. The most recent example that comes to mind is the transition from film to digital technology, which was initially met with doubt but ultimately expanded creative possibilities while also reducing production costs.Of course, evolution does not always equate to progress. However, I would focus more on the opportunity to improve the quality and diversity of the content we produce rather than on the potential disappearance of certain roles, which is a natural consequence of technological change over time. That being said, legislation will certainly need to be updated, as it is necessary to regulate certain copyright-related issues in light of these new technologies and possibilities. Overall, however, I am more interested in the quality of what is produced than in the methods used to produce it.

What is your impression of WILD FILMMAKER?

One of great professionalism and energy, qualities that are essential in this industry. The essence of cinema will always be measured by the dialogue and storytelling that surround it. Therefore, I can only encourage you to continue on this path, considering the results and achievements you are accomplishing. I would also like to express my sincere thanks for giving me the opportunity to be featured among your articles.