(EXCLUSIVE) Interview with Ty Brueilly

-Who is Ty Brueilly?

Similar to some, identical to none. An Asheboro, North Carolina native with family roots in Pennsylvania and New York. Appalachian State University Graduate. Former expatriate of five years in China. A Husband, a Father and an artist. A lifelong Journalist. A Teacher of seven years. Visual and audio art of all sorts. A poet. A fashion designer. A photographer. A world traveler. I’ve released over 50 film titles, mostly short films and music videos. I have released 8 solo studio albums and the founder of Mightier Than The Sword Records, which turned 20 years old this year. 

I have passion, compassion, determination and drive. My experience is extensive, and I am just now realizing the impact that can have to the communities I represent and how I can use that to help build my city up, in what many have called an “artistic revolution”. Right Now, in a Small City in North Carolina, an Artistic Revolution is Happening –


-Do you remember the exact moment you fell in love with cinema?

When it comes to being a consumer of cinema, It wasn’t all at once. There wasn’t a definable moment, it was just always there and a major part of me. I fell in love with the cinema going experience first. The rare activity that my parents and I were equally as excited about engaging in, we would have a lot of fun together, and the only real time I felt an authentic connection with them. My parents were always present and still are present in my life, but going to the theatre was a pure connection that I’ve never really felt with them since. Watching E.T. at the drive-in was a very specific moment that my parents noticed I was completely hypnotized by what was on the screen. 

When it comes to creating cinematic pieces, there is certainly a defining moment, and that was day one of shooting my first film, ‘Shucks’ seeing my visions play out on the playback screen was the most incredible high, I remember everything from that day, the smells, the weather, the breeze, the teamwork of our small cast. My wife and I were newlyweds at the time, and it was such an amazing feeling to connect with her on a working relationship level.  A top five feeling when it comes to my career, and honestly I still get that feeling anytime I film anything for my ongoing ‘Shucks’ cinematic world. When I knew I wanted to evolve that love for cinema into an actual marriage with cinema was the first time I saw my work on the big screen in Hollywood at the TCL Chinese Theatre back in 2023. ‘A Night In Charlotte With Sweeney Ty’ was the first of my films to play at that cinema, which is an incredible honor, and I knew then, I had to put a ring on it, symbolically of course. Since then, I have had a dozen of my films played there, the most recent being the long awaited ‘Shucks’ Hollywood premiere in February 2025. 

-Tell us about your project “Shucks”.

Essentially the script, the characters and the lore were all created as a coping mechanism for a close family member who passed away from an overdose. It was a very small cast and crew, a family affair for sure. I was uncertain if we would be able to complete the story and the filming, because I didn’t know how emotional we would get, or if the people involved would tap out or stay in the ring, but we got into a good groove and stayed the course to get it completed. 

Aside from the inspiration spawning from my total intrigue of Dante’s Divine Comedy, in particular the Inferno segment, there’s an extensive background story for ‘Shucks’ that hasn’t been publicized…yet. That’s on purpose, because ‘Shucks’ is a silent, but scored black and white 50 minute film, which I scored with my musical background spanning over 20 years. I personally wanted it to be filled with symbolism and a slow burning wave that is up for interpretation, I actually never let the actors or cast ever see the script because I didn’t want them to know, so that they would go with their natural flow more than from the story and I could just direct and not rely heavy on a roadmap as it were. As I add titles, (currently ten released titles) I reveal a little more, but at this point in the evolution I want to hear from other people how the film speaks to them and what it makes them feel like. 

– Which Director inspires you the most?

Rob Zombie. His unique and gritty approach for most of his films is an incredible inspiration to me. Also, his extensive appreciation and respect he has for the horror genre has always made me more attracted to his work. And as a musician myself, I have firsthand experience with how difficult of a transition it is from music to filmmaking, especially for the fans and demographic of either. It’s like a lot of times when you transition or evolve from music to something else, you lose respect from some and then never really get it for that thing you are evolving into, but once you can master it, film and music go hand and hand, you can’t have one with the other, it’s a symbiotic relationship that if you can get traction from both can give you some unstoppable momentum, unfortunately with Rob Zombie, he’s been at what seems like a standstill after his rendition of ‘The Munsters’ which way too many people bashed and hated, but me, I absolutely loved it and enjoyed a more bright and vivid approach from him. It was a treat to be able to watch a Rob Zombie film with my son without worrying about exposing him too early to Zombie’s other films.

Nonetheless he is my top tier inspiration, with a close second being Richard Elfman, who also has that musician, director killer combination, his unconventional execution of ‘Forbidden Zone’ alone has him in a whole other level of filmmaking and that kind of determination to make sure his vision is executed the way it should be is admirable and something I strive to do. I also appreciate the fact that he also incorporates live pre-show performances for most of his screenings, with an instrumental ensemble and a bloody burlesque show with his wife Anastasia Elfman who is ‘Bloody Bridget’ from his most recent directing effort. I have been fortunate enough to call them friends in the past two years and learning from them has really fortified my trajectory in filmmaking, where I would also like to use some live performances with some of my screenings in the future, of course paying homage to their approach. 
I also pull inspiration from Kubrick, Lynch, and up and coming director Sean Haitz from ‘Cannibal Comedian’.

-What do you dislike about the world and what would you change?

The stigma that comes with addiction and those who are addicted to various substances. I really wish that hatred towards them was longer an option. It’s a luxury to be sober, I mean really, you have to look at it like that, most people don’t have the intricate support system and the love that helps nurture and recover an addicted person, it’s almost like you have to approach those situations like you are a brand new parent and the addicted person is a newborn baby, they need everything that comes with that experience and many people don’t have the endurance to do that over and over again. However, I know there are places, such as one in my hometown of Asheboro that are fully committed and fully active in doing just that, Susan E. Hunt & Chip Womick at Keaton’s Place, my hope is that many many many more establishments like this become a mainstay in cities all across the world.

‘Cause look, I’ve been on all sides of that, I’ve been severely addicted, I’ve gone cold turkey, I’ve stopped for months, just to attempt to make up for the time I didn’t in a weekend, I’ve had some of the people I love the most fall victim to the vicious cycle and pay the ultimate price, I’ve been crass and hateful to people I love who are in the clutches of the addiction, I’ve ignored it, I’ve tried to help, I’ve loved, I’ve fought them, I’ve fought for them, I’ve empathized, I’ve sympathized, I was embarassed, I was proud of who they were and could be and not once through all those have I felt like I’ve done the right thing, it’s such a delicate situation . As cliche and overused as this phrase is, in the blink of an eye your life can change, and oftentimes it’s not through any fault of your own, and even when it is, I mean, who doesn’t want to feel good? We are all searching for the highs we got when we were kids growing up, a substance is something that is actually accessible and quick. 

-How do you imagine cinema in 100 years?

It’s scary what can happen. I’m pretty nervous about it, but equally as excited. A.I is both a threat and a tool, and within 100 years it will be an undeniable force in the creative process of filmmaking. I worry when it’s time to “compete” with the machines, and how that will play out. I also worry about when everyone associated with certain films are dead and gone and the rights become someone else’s, what can happen with those, like who can add and take away from it, it’s happened a lot already, but will that continue?

 I feel that the cinema going experience will remain in high demand, because of the very reasons I mentioned before about why I fell in love with it. Screens will get bigger, higher definition and we will see more virtual reality type films come into play, with some that kind of let you choose your own story as it progresses, like those books from the 1980s I read as a kid. I think arthouse survives and thrives. Drive-In has an opportunity to flourish if people give it a chance again. Unfortunately, I feel like in the next 1-10 years we will all face different levels of censorship, especially in the USA, but that won’t last. Art is revolutionary in nature, and is resilient, because there are few people who can actually take the world’s imagination and put it on a screen, that’s what has always made cinema magical and always will. 

-What is your impression of WILD FILMMAKER?

I first heard about WILD FILMMAKER a few years ago when I had a positive experience with 8 & Halfilm Award in Cannes, and was pleased to hear from Michele Diomà last week. I am still learning about WILD FILMMAKER, but what I see so far has been something that aligns with my goal set, I love the tendencies to use black and white and also that it’s on an International scale. There are a lot of filmmaking communities that are 100% transactional, while others help those filmmakers who commit and/or financially support to these communities on different levels. I’ve been a part of both, and I hope to actually grow with WILD FILMMAKER and not just have a one and done relationship. I’d also love to see WILD FILMMAKER have a presence at our next Mightier Than The Sword Awards at Sunset Film Festival in 2026!

(EXCLUSIVE) Interview with Alberto Martín-Aragón

-Who is Alberto Martín-Aragón?

I don’t know exactly. I think Alberto Martín-Aragón is a defeated and melancholic man who makes surreal and dreamlike short films to alleviate the loneliness of his shipwreck.

-Do you remember the exact moment you fell in love with cinema?

When I saw Barbara Stanwyck weep desperately in the final scene of “Meet John Doe,” a 1941 film directed by Frank Capra. I was twelve years old, and it was the first time I thought cinema could be more beautiful and truer than life.

-Which director inspires you the most?

Many directors inspire me. I’ll name four of them: Béla Tarr, Luis Buñuel, Pier Paolo Pasolini, and David Lynch.

-What don’t you like about the world and what would you change?

I don’t like people who are obsessed with always winning. Many of these people tend to dedicate themselves to politics, which has become an undignified and despicable activity carried out by charlatans and ruffians.

-How do you imagine cinema in 100 years?

I think that in 100 years there will be no humanity, nor will there be cinema. I hope I’m wrong.

-What is your impression of WILD FILMMAKER?

WILD FILMMAKER is an indispensable and providential community because it gives visibility to many bold and visionary filmmakers who often lack the financial support necessary to bring their work to large audiences.

WINNERS MADRID Indie Academy of Motion Picture Arts – Special Event 2025

Ye Ole Glorya

BEST DIRECTOR, BEST SCREENPLAY & BEST EDITING (Category: International Arthouse Comedy)

Iriso

BEST ARTHOUSE DRAMA OF THE YEAR

Artists and Aliens

BEST INSPIRATIONAL DIRECTOR, BEST SCI-FI & BEST ORIGINAL SONG

Menti Minda Mothertongue

BEST INTERNATIONAL EXPERIMENTAL FILM & BEST EDITING (Category: Experimental)

Out of State-A Gothic Romance

BEST INTERNATIONAL NARRATIVE FEATURE OF THE YEAR, BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY, BEST CINEMATOGRAPHER, BEST SOUND DESIGNER & BEST INTERNATIONAL PRODUCTION COMPANY

Boxed In

BEST FILMMAKER OF THE YEAR, BEST ORIGINAL IDEA & BEST ARTHOUSE NARRATIVE SHORT FILM

Waiting On Love

BEST INTERNATIONAL SUPER SHORT FILM, BEST DIRECTOR & BEST SCREENPLAY (Category: Super Short Film)

Koorts

BEST FEATURE SCRIPT & BEST AMERICAN SCREENWRITER

Searching for Camelot

BEST DIRECTOR 2025, BEST EXECUTIVE PRODUCER & BEST EDITING

Valentine’s Law

BEST PILOT TV & BEST INTERNATIONAL TELEVISION SCRIPT

Remnant

BEST DIRECTOR (Category: Narrative Feature), BEST INDIE NARRATIVE FEATURE, BEST INDIE CAST, & BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

The Duchess

BEST INTERNATIONAL DRAMA, BEST ACTOR/ACTRESS & BEST SCREENPLAY (Category: International Drama)

Something ain’t right

BEST DIRECTOR, BEST EDITING & BEST CAMERA OPERATOR (Category: Documentary)

Katabasis

BEST EUROPEAN NARRATIVE FEATURE, BEST SCREENPLAY & BEST ORIGINAL CINEMATOGRAPHER

Nossos Caminhos (Our Paths)

BEST INTERNATIONAL ARTHOUSE FEATURE SCRIPT

The Days of Knight: Chapter 3

BEST INTERNATIONAL NARRATIVE SHORT, BEST ARTHOUSE DIRECTOR, BEST ORIGINAL SCORE & BEST SCREENPLAY SHORT (Category: Narrative Short)

The Arcangel Of Death

BEST EUROPEAN ARTHOUSE SHORT FILM & BEST INTERNATIONAL ACTING

Omnipotent Resolution

BEST DIRECTOR 2025 (Category: Dance Movie) BEST INTERNATIONAL SONG, BEST CHOREOGRAPHY & BEST INTERNATIONAL DANCE MOVIE

The Assassin’s Apprentice 2: Silbadores of the Canary Islands

BEST INTERNATIONAL NARRATIVE SHORT 2025, BEST SCREENPLAY SHORT, BEST CAST & BEST INDIE FILMMAKER

Routine

BEST ORIGINAL DIRECTOR 2025, BEST INDIE SHORT FILM & BEST PRODUCER

The Pathos of Hamlet

BEST VIDEO POETRY & BEST ORIGINAL ACTOR

The Stones of Rome

BEST AMERICAN INDIE NARRATIVE SHORT FILM, BEST EXPERIMENTAL CINEMATOGRAPHER & BEST ARTHOUSE EDITING

Am I a painter?/Czy jestem malarzem?

BEST DIRECTOR, BEST EDITING, BEST ORIGINAL PRODUCER (Category: Animation) & BEST INTERNATIONAL ANIMATED SHORT FILM OF THE YEAR

Not Without Gloves

BEST EUROPEAN EXPERIMENTAL SHORT FILM, BEST EXPERIMENTAL ACTRESS & BEST INDIE INSPIRATIONAL FILM

The Rorschach Test

BEST DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR (Category: International Experimental Film)

Alta California

BEST AMERICAN FEATURE SCRIPT & BEST INDIE WRITER OF THE YEAR

Pirandello’s Wife

BEST INTERNATIONAL SCRIPT & BEST BIOGRAPHICAL SCRIPT

 Uncle Franco’s Birthday Suit

BEST INDIE FEATURE SCRIPT

Doctor Hyphoteses

BEST ARTHOUSE COMEDIAN OF THE YEAR

Planetary Rebellion

BEST ARTHOUSE MUSIC VIDEO & BEST SONG WRITER

5 Marzo 1955 Una canzone per Carla

BEST EUROPEAN SUPER SHORT FILM OF THE YEAR

Risveglio Planetario

BEST ORIGINAL MUSIC VIDEO & BEST INTERNATIONAL FILMMAKER (Category: Music Video)

Eye of the Storm

BEST BIOGRAPHICAL DOCUMENTARY, BEST AMERICAN DIRECTOR & BEST ORIGINAL EDITING

The Ballad of Lulu and Dad

BEST INDIE SCREENPLAY & BEST ARTHOUSE ORIGINAL NARRATIVE SHORT

How is Cinema doing? Starting today, the first episode of the series produced by the WILD FILMMAKER Community ‘eleveN fiftY’ is available.

by Michele Diomà

The series eleveN fiftY originates from one question:

“How is Cinema doing?”

Is what is being produced by the audiovisual multinationals and distributed on platforms still Cinema?

George Orwell once said: “A day will come when WAR will be called PEACE and FREEDOM will be called SLAVERY.”

Words can be the most powerful tool for bluffing.

So, if someone starts calling CINEMA what is actually a mix of propaganda and marketing, those who have seen the films of Federico Fellini, Stanley Kubrick, Orson Welles, François Truffaut, Akira Kurosawa, Sidney Lumet, etc., could defend themselves against such a LIE.

But how many people have actually seen the films of these great directors?

We live in a cinematic era where Francis Ford Coppola, the director who created the most brilliant saga in the history of American cinema, The Godfather, the most remarkable pacifist work of art, Apocalypse Now, and more recently the greatest independent film in the history of cinema, Megalopolis, is awarded the Razzie Award for Worst Director of the Year.

Therefore, there are two answers to the initial question of this editorial, “How is Cinema doing?”

First answer: The film industry has fallen into the hands of someone who hates Cinema and wants to destroy it.

Second answer: What is called Cinema today is not really Cinema.

Solution?

A GREAT RESET!

The first episode of our series “eleveN fiftY” is the first step!

You can watch it for free at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqeY7Ts-q0o

WINNERS Film Emmy Awards 2025

Something Ain’t Riight

BEST ORIGINAL DOCUMENTARY OF THE YEAR

Tom & Luce

BEST ARTHOUSE DRAMA 2025

Princess Zarabanda

BEST INTERNATIONAL ARTHOUSE ANIMATED SHORT FILM 2025 & BEST DIRECTOR (Category: Animation)

The Girl Made of Earth and Water

BEST ORIGINAL SUPER SHORT FILM

Roses are Blind

BEST DIRECTOR, BEST SCREENPLAY & BEST CAST (Category: International Thriller)

Darker Realities

BEST INTERNATIONAL ARTHOUSE FEATURE SCRIPT

The Great Animal Escape

BEST INDIE WRITER & BEST ORIGINAL BOOK

Downriver

BEST INTERNATIONAL DANCE MOVIE 2025 & BEST DIRECTOR (Category: Dance Movie)

The Insomnia Experiment

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENWRITER (Category: International Short Script)

The Wood Ranch Country Club

BEST ARTHOUSE SHORT SCRIPT OF THE YEAR

Split Endz

BEST INTERNATIONAL WRITER & BEST ORIGINAL WRITING STYLE (Category: International Short Script)

The Mint

BEST INDIE SHORT SCRIPT 2025

Adelaide’s Magic Sunglasses

BEST ORIGINAL CHARACTERS (Category: International Short Script)

K Bender (The Bloody Benders)

GRAND JURY PRIZE (Category: International Short Script)

Hummel

BEST ARTHOUSE SCREENWRITER (Category: International Short Script)

The Hallmark Couple

GRAND JURY PRIZE (Category: International Feature Script)

Magic Moment

BEST ARTHOUSE MUSIC VIDEO 2025, BEST CINEMATOGRAPHER & BEST PRODUCER (Category: International Music Video)

Black Wolf

BEST INTERNATIONAL NARRATIVE SHORT, BEST SCREENPLAY SHORT & BEST INDIE PRODUCER

Secrets of Montmartre 2

BEST INTERNATIONAL FEATURE SCRIPT 2025

The Adventures Of CJ

BEST PILOT TV/TELEVISION SCRIPT OF THE YEAR & BEST INTERNATIONAL SCREENWRITER (Category: Television Script)

L’Amour est temps de reflets

BEST ROMANCE SHORT FILM, BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY (Category: Indie Narrative Short), BEST INDIE SCREENPLAY SHORT & BEST EUROPEAN FILMMAKER

A Perfect Love

BEST ARTHOUSE DOCUMENTARY SHORT & BEST DIRECTOR (Category: Documentary)

Because We Are Too Many

BEST ARTHOUSE DRAMA & BEST INTERNATIONAL INDIE DIRECTOR 2025

Planetary Rebellion

BEST INTERNATIONAL ARTHOUSE MUSIC VIDEO, BEST EDITING & BEST DIRECTOR (Category: Indie Music Video)

5 Marzo 1955 Una canzone per Carla

BEST DIRECTOR (Category: International Super Short Film)

Risveglio Planetario

BEST SONG WRITER & BEST SOCIAL MUSIC VIDEO

Homeless Street Artist

BEST INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY SHORT, BEST DIRECTOR & BEST EDITING (Category: Documentary Short)

Revisited – Life is Short

BEST DIRECTOR, BEST CAMERA OPERATOR & BEST SONG 2025 (Category: Music Video)

Borderline Justice

BEST FEATURE SCRIPT 2025 & BEST ORIGINAL SCREENWRITER

Alta California

BEST WRITING STYLE, BEST INDIE FEATURE SCRIPT & BEST INDIE WRITER OF THE YEAR

Sheldon Mashugana gets Stooged

BEST INDIE DIRECTOR & BEST SCREENPLAY (Category: International Comedy)

Lambada The Dance Of Fate

BEST BIOGRAPHICAL SCRIPT, BEST INTERNATIONAL ARTHOUSE SCRIPT & BEST ORIGINAL SCREENWRITER

Am I a painter?/Czy jestem malarzem?

BEST FILMMAKER OF THE YEAR, BEST ORIGINAL PRODUCER & BEST ANIMATED SHORT FILM 2025

Colombano & La 21Esima Fetta

BEST INDIE FILM, BEST CAST & BEST ARTHOUSE PRODUCTION COMPANY (Category: Narrative Feature)

On My Special Day

BEST FILMMAKER, BEST INDIE PRODUCER & BEST EDITING (Category: Arthouse Narrative Short)

Ye Ole Glorya

BEST INTERNATIONAL COMEDY & BEST ACTING (Category: International Comedy)

Big Momma Earth

BEST INDIE DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR (Category: International Comedy)

Silver Heels

BEST ARTHOUSE BOOK/MANUSCRIPT OF THE YEAR & BEST ORIGINAL WRITER

Eye of the Storm

BEST INTERNATIONAL ACTOR (Academy Award Winner Robin Williams – Lifetime Achievement Award), BEST DIRECTOR (Category: Documentary) & BEST ARHOUSE DOCUMENTARY FEATURE

Wave Man

BEST EUROPEAN FEATURE SCRIPT OF THE YEAR

The Arcangel Of Death

BEST INTERNATIONAL YOUNG ACTOR 2025 & BEST EUROPEAN ACTING

The Days of Knight: Chapter 3

BEST INTERNATIONAL NARRATIVE SHORT, BEST DIRECTOR, BEST CINEMATOGRAPHER & BEST SCREENPLAY SHORT (Category: Narrative Short)

Amen-Amen-Amen: A Story of Our Times

BEST DIRECTOR, BEST EDITING (Category: International Documentary Feature) & BEST ORIGINAL DOCUMENTARY FEATURE 2025

Monument to Love

BEST DIRECTOR, BEST HUMAN RIGHTS DOCUMENTARY, BEST ORIGINAL CAMERA OPERATOR & BEST ORIGINAL EDITING (Category: International Documentary Feature)

Nossos Caminhos (Our Paths)

BEST SCEENWRITER OF THE YEAR (Category: International Feature Script)

Neshoba: The Price of Freedom

BEST PRODUCER & BEST INDIE FILMMAKER (Category: Documentary Feature)

The Broken Road

BEST INDIE SCREENWRITER OF THE YEAR (Category: Feature Script)

Adelaide’s Magic Sunglasses

BEST INTERNATIONAL SCREENWRITER OF THE YEAR (Category: Short Scrip)

Hummel

BEST ORIGINAL WRITER (Category: Short Script)

K Bender (The Bloody Benders)

BEST INTERNATIONAL SHORT SCRIPT OF THE YEAR

The Wood Ranch Country Club

BEST ORIGINAL IDEA

The Insomnia Experiment

BEST ARTHOUSE SHORT SCRIPT

Atlas of Uncertainty

BEST EUROPEAN INDIE PROJECT & BEST SOUND DESIGNER OF THE YEAR

The Duchess

BEST DRAMA OF THE YEAR, BEST ARTHOUSE SCREENPLAY, BEST DIRECTOR, BEST INTERNATIONAL ACTOR/ACTRESS (Category: International Drama)

Thankful

BEST INDIE SCREENWRITER 2025, BEST ORIGINAL FEATURE SCRIPT & BEST IDEA OF THE YEAR (Category: Feature Script)

The Assassin’s Apprentice 2: Silbadores of the Canary Islands

BEST ARTHOUSE NARRATIVE SHORT 2025, BEST SCREENPLAY SHORT, BEST CASTING DIRECTOR & BEST INTERNATIONAL INDIE FILMMAKER

Routine

BEST ORIGINAL SHORT FILM, BEST EDITING & BEST CINEMATOGRAPHER (Category: International Narrative Short)

Doctor Hyphoteses

BEST ORIGINAL ACTING & BEST COMEDIAN 2025

Omnipotent Resolution

BEST POETRY SHORT FILM, BEST INTERNATIONAL MUSICAL, BEST INDIE SONG OF THE YEAR, BEST CHOREOGRAPHER & BEST DIRECTOR (Category: International Musical)

Fire Flies  

BEST FEATURE SCRIPT

Walking In Memphis

BEST INTERNATIONAL PILOT/TV SCRIPT

The Dead Ringer

BEST ARTHOUSE FEATURE SCRIPT 2025 & BEST INDIE WRITER

Not Without Gloves

BEST EUROPEAN SHORT FILM, BEST EXPERIMENTAL DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR & BEST INSPIRATIONAL FILM

The Rorschach Test

BEST FILMMAKER & BEST EDITING (Category: International Experimental Film)

Katabasis

BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM, BEST CAST, BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY & BEST DIRECTOR (Category: Narrative Feature)

The Donbass Children

BEST HUMAN RIGHTS DOCUMENTARY FEATURE & BEST EUROPEAN DIRECTOR (Category: Documentary)

Grey Lines

BEST FILMMAKER, BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY & BEST DRAMA SCRIPT (Category: International Arthouse Drama)

The career of an independent filmmaker until the meeting with Pino Daniele.(EXCLUSIVE) Interview with Massimiliano Mauceri

-Who is Massimiliano Mauceri?

I am a director and screenwriter, a filmmaker if we want to simplify, passionate about cinema since I was very young. For years, I have dedicated myself to independent cinema, creating projects that reflect my personal taste, often focused on thrillers and narrative experimentation. I watch a lot of films and TV series, constantly seeking new inspiration from the international cinematic landscape. I like to define myself as “an eternal dreamer with a camera always in hand.”

-How did your passion for the Seventh Art begin?

My passion began when I was little, watching old films on TV with my parents. I clearly remember the magical feeling of seeing moving images capable of telling incredible stories. At 13, I received my first Super8 camera and started making small silent films with friends and family as amateur actors. Everything was very spontaneous and handmade, but the magic of cinema was already there: since then, I haven’t stopped telling stories through images.

-Tell us about your work as an Independent Filmmaker.

Being an independent filmmaker is an ongoing adventure full of creative and organizational challenges. It often means working with limited budgets, solving problems with creativity, and quickly adapting to unpredictable situations. However, creative freedom is priceless: I can explore original ideas, experiment with different languages, and develop projects that truly reflect my personal vision. Each project is a growth, a piece that adds to the path I’m building film by film.

-Soon, there will be an exhibition in Naples dedicated to the legendary singer-songwriter Pino Daniele. How will you be involved?

Yes, I am very happy to participate in the “Spiritual” exhibition dedicated to the great Pino Daniele. Some of my unpublished photographs taken during the filming of the music video “Se Mi Vuoi,” where Pino duets with Irene Grandi, will be displayed. It was my first real job, and the excitement of being there with an artist of that caliber is still vivid in my memories. Sharing these images today feels like opening a small personal chest, giving others an intimate and sincere glimpse of that moment.

-What do you dislike about the world, and what would you change?

I don’t like the superficiality and the rush of the contemporary world. Often, I see a race toward success and instant consumption, forgetting fundamental values like empathy, listening, and depth. If I could change something, I would want more slowness and authenticity in human relationships, more attention to the details that make every person and every moment special. I believe that cinema can help us with this, educating us to look beyond appearances, rediscovering the pleasure of reflecting and truly feeling.

-If you could have a conversation with a great filmmaker in cinema history, who would you choose and what would you ask them?

Without a doubt, Alfred Hitchcock. I am fascinated by his unique way of building suspense and emotionally manipulating the audience. I would ask him how he managed to keep the enthusiasm and creativity alive despite the pressures of large Hollywood productions. Maybe I’d also ask for some practical advice on how to maintain narrative tension without ever losing the audience’s attention. A nice chat over a cup of English tea, in short.

-What is your impression of Wild Filmmaker?

I really like Wild Filmmaker because it represents a place where those who love independent cinema can find inspiration, resources, and most importantly, a sharing of ideas. It’s stimulating to see how much passion and effort are put into creating a community of enthusiasts and professionals who view cinema as a collective adventure, outside of more traditional circuits. In short, it’s a necessary and beautiful project, made by true lovers of cinema.

WINNERS Alice Film Festival – Berlin

The Spiritualization of Jeff Boyd

BEST INTERNATIONAL NARRATIVE FEATURE, BEST INDIE DIRECTOR, BEST CINEMATOGRAPHER & BEST ARTHOUSE PRODUCTION COMPANY (Category: Narrative Feature)

The way of Mizoguchi

BEST INDIE FILMMAKER OF YEAR, BEST EUOPEAN INDIE PRODUCTION COMPANY & BEST INTERNATIONAL ARTHOUSE DOCUMENTARY

Effata

BEST INTERNATIONAL MUSIC VIDEO, BEST ORIGINAL SINGER & BEST SOUND DESIGN

Remnant

BEST INTERNATIONAL NARRATIVE FEATURE, BEST PICTURE, BEST DIRECTOR & BEST SCREENPLAY (Category: Film)

NEVERWERE: a Lycan Love Story

BEST ORIGINAL INTERNATIONAL WRITER & BEST ORIGINAL INDIE FEATURE SCRIPT

Antiquarius

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY, BEST INTERNATIONAL DIRECTOR, BEST EDITING & BEST CAST (Category: International Short Film)

Marabu’

BEST INTERNATIONAL SOUNDTRACK OF THE YEAR

The Days of Knight: Chapter 3

BEST INTERNATIONAL NARRATIVE SHORT, BEST DIRECTOR, BEST CINEMATOGRAPHER & BEST SCREENPLAY SHORT (Category: Narrative Short)

Cassandra Venice

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY & BEST ARTHOUSE FILMMAKER

Thankful

BEST WRITER 2025 (Category: Feature Script)

Antoinette’s Duck

BEST ARTHOUSE SHORT FILM, BEST SCREENPLAY SHORT & BEST ORIGINAL INDIE FILMMAKER

The Assassin’s Apprentice 2: Silbadores of the Canary Islands

BEST AMERICAN NARRATIVE SHORT 2025, BEST SCREENPLAY SHORT, BEST CAST & BEST ARTHOUSE FILMMAKER

Routine

BEST INTERNATIONAL FILMMAKER, INDIE PRODUCER OF THE YEAR, BEST INDIE SHORT FILM & BEST SOUND DESIGN

The Demon

BEST ORIGINAL YOUNG ACTOR

The Arcangel Of Death

BEST EUROPEAN ARTHOUSE ACTOR OF THE YEAR

Amen-Amen-Amen: A Story of Our Times

BEST DIRECTOR (Category: International Arthouse Documentary) & BEST HUMAN RIGHTS DOCUMENTARY FEATURE

Brothers of Babylon

BEST AMERICAN FEATURE SCRIPT OF THE YEAR

True Friend

BEST AMERICAN INDIE DIRECTOR & BEST INTERNATIONAL SCREENPLAY (Category: Drama)

Boombox (The God of THe Dance) – TV Series (pitch deck)

BEST INTERNATIONAL SHORT SCRIPT OF THE YEAR

Umbra/Eclipse of the moon

BEST EUROPEAN ORIGINAL DIRECTOR & BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

Ghost Executioners 2

BEST INDIE FILMMAKER, BEST ORIGINAL NARRATIVE SHORT, BEST INTERNATIONAL INDIE SCREENWRITER & BEST CASTING DIRECTOR

Lambada The Dance Of Fate

BEST BIOGRAPHICAL SCRIPT & BEST INTERNATIONAL INDIE WRITER

Eye of the Storm

BEST BIOGRAPHICAL DOCUMENTARY, BEST AMERICAN DIRECTOR, BEST ORIGINAL EDITING & BEST HUMAN RIGHTS FILM (Category: International Documentary Feature)

Canta la gioia

BEST MUSIC VIDEO, BEST ORIGINAL SONG WRITER & BEST EUROPEAN SINGER

Prodigio

BEST INTERNATIONAL SPIRITUAL SONG OF THE YEAR

Alta California

BEST AMERICAN FEATURE SCRIPT & BEST INDIE WRITER OF THE YEAR

The Boy Who Earned Is Magic

BEST INTERNATIONAL ARTHOUSE BOOK OF THE YEAR

Pirandello’s Wife

BEST INTERNATIONAL SCRIPT & BEST BIOGRAPHICAL SCRIPT

The Broken Road

BEST INDIE SCREENWRITER OF THE YEAR (Category: Feature Script)

Hummel

BEST WRITER (Category: Short Script)

K Bender (The Bloody Benders)

BEST ARTHOUSE SCREENWRITER OF THE YEAR (Category: Short Script)

Adelaide’s Magic Sunglasses

BEST INTERNATIONAL SHORT SCRIPT

The Wood Ranch Country Club

BEST ORIGINAL IDEA & BEST ARTHOUSE SHORT SCRIPT

The Insomnia Experiment

BEST ORIGINAL WRITER OF THE YEAR (Category: Short Script)

Prima del giorno dopo

BEST ARTHOUSE FILM OF THE YEAR & BEST EUROPEAN SCREENPLAY

The Mint

BEST INDIE SHORT SCRIPT 2025

Split Endz

BEST INTERNATIONAL WRITING STYLE

The White Chronicles: The Beginning? Book One

BEST INTERNATIONAL BOOK/MANUSCRIPT

The Taste of Rain

BEST AMERICAN FEATURE SCRIPT 2025

The Duchess

BEST INTERNATIONAL DRAMA 2025 & BEST CASTING DIRECTOR

Boxed In

BEST ORIGINAL SHORT FILM OF THE YEAR, BEST INDIE DIRECTOR, BEST PRODUCER & BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY SHORT (Category: Narrative Short Film)

The Priory of Sion

BEST EUOROPEAN WRITER 2025 & BEST HISTORICAL FEATURE SCRIPT

Moomtaz Khatoon: A gender fluid queer Muslim

BEST DIRECTOR, BEST CAMERA OPERATOR & BEST ARTHOUSE PRODUCER (Category: Documentary Short)

The Hallmark Couple

BEST ARTHOUSE FEATURE SCRIPT & BEST ORIGINAL IDEA

Only in Malibu

BEST INTERNATIONAL INDIE SCREENPLAY OF THE YEAR

 Gold Glory & Nobility

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENWRITER (Category: International Feature Script)

Something ain’t right

BEST INTERNATIONAL DIRECTOR (Category: Documentary)

I Can’t Save You

BEST ARTHOUSE SUPER SHORT FILM 2025

Iriso

BEST INTERNATIONAL DIRECTOR & BEST ARTHOUSE SCREENPLAY (Category: Drama)

Giulietta e Romeo?

BEST YOUNG DIRECTOR & SCREENWRITER, BEST ORIGINAL SHORT FILM & BEST INTERNATIONAL FIRST TIME DIRECTOR

When the Withered Leaf Awakens

BEST INTERNATIONAL INDIE NARRATIVE FEATURE

Destination Marfa

BEST INTERNATIONAL INDIE PRODUCTION COMPANY, BEST SCREENPLAY & BEST ORIGINAL NARRATIVE FEATURE

The Stones of Rome

BEST AMERICAN NARRATIVE SHORT FILM, BEST EXPERIMENTAL CINEMATOGRAPHER & BEST INTERNATIONAL INDIE ACTOR

The Pathos of Hamlet

BEST INSPIRATIONAL SHORT FILM & BEST ORIGINAL ACTING

Doctor Hyphoteses

BEST INTERNATIONAL COMEDIAN OF THE YEAR

Katabasis

BEST ORIGINAL FILM, BEST INDIE NARRATIVE FEATURE, BEST CAST, BEST SCREENPLAY & BEST ORIGINAL CINEMATOGRAPHER

Riding on Duke’s Train

BEST VIDEO POETRY 2025 & BEST SPIRITUAL SHORT FILM 2025

Omnipotent Resolution

BEST MUSICAL, BEST ORIGINAL SOUND DESIDN, BEST INTERNATIONAL DANCE FILM & BEST CHOREOGRAPHY

Monument to Love

BEST INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY FEATURE & BEST HUMAN RIGHTS FILM OF THE YEAR

Dragul and Forbes

BEST INDIE FEATURE SCRIPT

Drowning

BEST MUSICIAN & BEST SONG OF THE YEAR

Static

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENWRITER & BEST AMERICAN FEATURE SCRIPT 2025

The Hourglass

BEST INDIE DIRECTOR, BEST CAST, BEST CINEMATOGRAPHER & BEST FILMMAKER (Category: Arthouse Narrative Short)

Mind Over Matter

BEST DIRECTOR, BEST ORIGINAL IDEA & BEST EDITING (Category: International Super Short Film)

Ye Ole Glorya

BEST INTERNATIONAL COMEDY & BEST ARTHOUSE PRODUCER

Big Momma Earth

BEST ARTHOUSE FILMMAKER & BEST SCRIPT (Category: Comedy)

Over Exposed

BEST COMEDY 2025

Dojo

BEST ACTION MOVIE, BEST EXECUTIVE PRODUCER & BEST SCREENPLAY (Category Action)

2020: life and death of a virus

BEST FILMMAKER & BEST EDITING (Category: International Experimental Film)

Mashuga Wedding  and Sheldon’s Jewish Christmas

BEST AMERICAN COMEDY & BEST EDITING

L’Amour est temps de reflets

BEST INSPIRATIONAL FILM & BEST EUROPEAN SHORT FILM 2025

Lifes Mapped Out

BEST INDIE FILMMAKER

Roses are Blind

BEST INTERNATIONAL THRILLER OF THE YEAR, BEST FILMMAKER, BEST CAST & BEST SCREENPLAY (Category: International Thriller)

I’ve Fallen

BEST ARTHOUSE MUSIC VIDEO

Ageless

BEST INTERNATIONAL INDIE DIRECTOR & BEST SOUNDTRACK

Out of State-A Gothic Romance

BEST FILMMAKER, BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY & BEST INTERNATIONAL PRODUCTION COMPANY

Two Fridges

BEST ARTHOUSE SHORT FILM

The Dragonfly Dreaming Project

BEST INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY SHORT

Asherah’s Colors

BEST PICTURE OF THE YEAR

Ice Hockey Orphans

BEST ARTHOUSE DOCUMENTARY SHORT & BEST INTERNATIONAL DIRECTOR (Category: International Arthouse Documentary Short)

The Dinner Party

BEST ARTHOUSE NARRATIVE SHORT, BEST INDIE FILMMAKER, BEST SCREENPLAY SHORT & BEST SOUNDTRACK

NOI Crusaders – 30 anni di football americano in Sardegna

BEST INTERNATIONAL SPORT FILM OF THE YEAR & BEST ORIGINAL INDIE FILMMAKER

Fascino d’altri tempi

BEST EUROPEAN NARRATIVE SHORT OF THE YEAR

Der Rote Klang

BEST ARTHOUSE NARRATIVE SHORT & BEST INDIE ACTRESS

Sam and Dukes Big River Adventure

BEST ORIGINAL ANIMATED SHORT FILM

Walking With God

BEST INDIE NARRATIVE FEATURE 2025

Sequoia Spirits

BEST INTERNATIONAL INDIE DANCE MOVIE

Vessel – 2024

BEST INTERNATIONAL HORROR & BEST DIRECTOR (Category: Horror)

The G-Files

BEST INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY FEATURE OF THE YEAR

Dogma

BEST ANIMATED SHORT FILM

Everland

BEST AMERICAN FEATURE SCRIPT

Revisited – Life is Short

BEST ORIGINAL AUTHOR (Category: International Music Video)

In Search of A P-I-G

BEST DIRECTOR, BEST SCREENPLAY, BEST EDITING & BEST ORIGINAL IDEA (Category: Web/Tv Series)

The Second Coming

BEST ORIGINAL NARRATIVE SHORT, BEST SOUND DESIGN & BEST ORIGINAL CAST

In a Whole New Way

BEST INDIE PRODUCER, BEST FILMMAKER OF THE YEAR & BEST EDUCATIONAL FILM

Homeless Street Artist Documentary

BEST INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY SHORT & BEST ARTHOUSE DIRECTOR

Not Without Gloves

BEST EUROPEAN SHORT FILM, BEST EXPERIMENTAL DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR & BEST SPIRITUAL FILM

The Rorschach Test

BEST ARTHOUSE DIRECTOR & BEST ORIGINAL IDEA

Edgar

BEST INTERNATIONAL DIRECTOR 2025 (Category: Animated Film)

A Perfect Love

BEST ORIGINAL INDIE FILMMAKER & BEST ARTHOUSE EDITING (Category: International Indie Documentary Short)

I am God

BEST ORIGINAL NARRATIVE SHORT, BEST CAST & BEST DIRECTOR (Category: International Narrative Short)

Ciccillo

BEST EUROPEAN DRAMA & BEST EUROPEAN ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

Nossos Caminhos (Our Paths)

BEST INTERNATIONAL FEATURE SCRIPT & BEST ORIGINAL INDIE WRITER

Luck Court

BEST INDIE PRODUCER & BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY (Category: International Comedy)

Princess Zarabanda

BEST ANIMATION 2025 & BEST ARTHOUSE DIRECTOR (Category: Animated Short Film)

The Dead Ringer

BEST ORIGINAL ARTHOUSE WRITER OF THE YEAR (Category: International Feature Script)

Something ain’t right

BEST CAMERA OPERATOR & BEST INDIE ORIGINAL DOCUMENTARY

Is He Cheating?

BEST INTERNATIONAL LGBTQ+ FILM

Riding on Duke’s Train

BEST ORIGINAL FILMMAKER & BEST INTERNATIONAL ARTHOUSE VIDEO POETRY

Sheldon Mashugana gets Stooged

BEST ARTHOUSE COMEDY

The Waiting Room

BEST POETRY SHORT FILM & BEST EXPERIMENTAL CINEMATOGRAPHY

THE BLANKET -Die schwarze Decke

BEST FILMMAKER & BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY (Category: Animated Short)

Revisited – Life is Short

BEST DIRECTOR, BEST SOUND DESIGN & BEST EDITING (Category: International Music Video)

YOU ARE HERE – a dylan brody project

BEST INDIE NARRATIVE FEATURE, BEST CAST & BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY (Category: International Film)

BLIND FAITH: Moments of Missed Understanding

BEST DIRECTOR, BEST EDITING & BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY (Category: Experimental Film)

Planetary Rebellion

BEST EUROPEAN MUSIC VIDEO & BEST ARTHOUSE FILMMAKER (Category: International Music Video)

Louie (KR ONE) Gasparro 5POINTZ

BEST INTERNATIONAL SHORT DOCUMENTARY OF THE YEAR

Chateau De Tarot

BEST ARTHOUSE SCREENWRITER & BEST ORIGINAL FEATURE SCRIPT

Life is Beautiful

BEST INDIE SONG OF THE YEAR

Precious the Baby Dragon

BEST INTERNATIONAL BOOK 2025

Can’t Figure It Out

BEST ORIGINAL PRODUCER & BEST INTERNATIONAL EXPERIMENTAL FILM

Turtle On A Fence Post

BEST SCREENWRITER 2025 (Category: Indie Feature Script)

Running Out Of Time

BEST INDIE PRODUCER & BEST ARTHOUSE PROJECT (Category: International Music Video)

Flint&Ema

BEST ARTHOUSE DIRECTOR (Category: International Animated Short)

Blooming Sisters

BEST INTERNATIONAL ACTRESS

The Age of the Empath

BEST PILOT/TV

Enipheres

BEST INDIE FILMMAKER (Category: Arthouse Narrative Short)

Wave Man

BEST EUROPEAN FEATURE SCRIPT & BEST ORIGINAL INDIE SCREENPLAY

Willow’s Journey

BEST ARTHOUSE FEATURE SCRIPT

WINNERS International Indie Cinematheque Awards 2025

Mireille Fiévet

Jonathan Fisher

Reine Johansson

Cazebon-Taveau Florence

Lena Mattsson

Jacob Comforty

Christian Candido

Larry Gene Fortin

Gabriel Womack

Arnold Curry

Michał Kucharski

Uniqueness Heiress & Azia

Don Pasquale Ferone

Samantha Casella

Kai Fischer

Vincenzo Amoruso

John Martinez

Russell Emanuel

Mike Horan

Lynn Elliott

Jennifer Glee

Earnest Diaz

Christopher Leong

Isabelle Byrne

Colleen Fuglaar

Tom Gallagher

Steve Hunyi

Kimber Leigh

Dylan Brody

Gary Beeber

John Angell Grant

Ioannis Koutroubis

Eve Leonard-Walsh

Jeremy and Chris Stork

Mark Gould

Sean Tansey

Alexander Senicki

Matthew Roch

Damiano Rossi

Victoria Bugbee

Hugo Teugels  

Suzanne Lutas

Susan Downs

R. Scott MacLeay

Roger Paradiso

Jeff Kazanjian

Ilaria Pezone

Carla Di Bonito

Katherine Schimmel

WINNERS TAORMINA Film Meeting Awards 2025

Free Birds

BEST VIDEO POETRY 2025, BEST ARTHOUSE FILMMAKER & BEST ORIGINAL EDITING

The Sicilians

BEST INTERNATIONAL ACTION SCRIPT & BEST THRILLER SCRIPT OF THE YEAR

The Order

BEST EXPERIMENTAL FILM & BEST ORIGINAL EDITING

The Boy Who Earned His Magic

BEST INTERNATIONAL BOOK OF THE YEAR & BEST AMERICAN WRITER

Pirandello’s Wife

BEST DRAMA SCRIPT

Virulence

BEST ARTHOUSE FEATURE SCRIPT & BEST INDIE SCREENWRITER

Am I a painter?/Czy jestem malarzem?

BEST INTERNATIONAL ANIMATED SHORT FILM 2025 & BEST INTERNATIONAL FILMMAKER (Category: International Animated Short Film)

Lambada The Dance Of Fate

BEST BIOGRAPHICAL SCRIPT & BEST INTERNATIONAL INDIE WRITER

The Stones of Rome

BEST HISTORICAL SHORT FILM & BEST EXPERIMENTAL ACTOR

The Pathos of Hamlet

BEST ARTHOUSE DIRECTOR, BEST INSPIRATIONAL SHORT FILM OF THE YEAR & BEST EXPERIMENTAL SCREENPLAY

Monument to Love

BEST DIRECTOR, BEST CAMERA OPERATOR, BEST SOCIAL FILM & BEST ARTHOUSE DOCUMENTARY FEATURE

Katabasis

BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM, BEST CAST, BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY & BEST DIRECTOR (Category: Narrative Feature)

Eye of the Storm

BEST INTERNATIONAL ACTOR (Academy Award Winner Robin Williams – Lifetime Achievement Award) & BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE

Fire Flies  

BEST INTERNATIONAL FEATURE SCRIPT

The Assassin’s Apprentice 2: Silbadores of the Canary Islands

BEST AMERICAN NARRATIVE SHORT 2025, BEST CASTING DIRECTOR, BEST SOUND DESIGN, BEST SCREENPLAY, BEST DIRECTOR & BEST PRODUCER (Category: Arthouse Short Film)

Routine

BEST INDIE SCREENWRITER, BEST FILMMAKER & BEST CINEMATOGRAPHER (Category: International Short Film)

NeverWere: a Lycan Love Story

BEST ORIGINAL IDEA & BEST ARTHOUSE SCREENWRITER 2025

Canta la gioia

BEST MUSIC VIDEO 2025, BEST HUMAN RIGHTS SONG, BEST EUROPEAN SINGER & BEST SONG WRITER

Doctor Hyphoteses

BEST COMEDIAN OF THE YEAR

The Days of Knight: Chapter 3

BEST INTERNATIONAL NARRATIVE SHORT, BEST DIRECTOR, BEST CINEMATOGRAPHER & BEST SCREENPLAY SHORT (Category: Narrative Short)

The Rorschach Test

BEST EUROPEAN DIRECTOR (Category: Experimental Film), BEST CINEMATOGRAPHER & BEST ORIGINAL PRODUCER

The Duchess

BEST INTERNATIONAL DRAMA, BEST INDIE ACTOR/ACTRESS & BEST INDIE PRODUCTION COMPANY

Thankful

BEST AMERICAN SCREENWRITER, BEST ORIGINAL FEATURE SCRIPT & BEST IDEA OF THE YEAR (Category: Feature Script)

Nossos Caminhos (Our Paths)

BEST INTERNATIONAL FEATURE SCRIPT & BEST ORIGINAL INDIE WRITER

The Arcangel Of Death

BEST ITALIAN ACTOR OF THE YEAR

The Demon

BEST ACTING & BEST EUROPEAN ACTOR

That evening on stage with Amy Winehouse. (EXCLUSIVE) Interview with singer-songwriter Davide Combusti, known as The Niro

-)Who is Davide Combusti, aka The Niro?

I am an Italian singer-songwriter and composer, a bit of a wanderer. Recently, I like to define myself as a creative who primarily communicates through music.

-)You’ve shared the stage with globally famous artists, tell us some memories of those collaborations.

I have many memories. Among them, I shared the stage with Amy Winehouse during her 2007 Milan stop and with Deep Purple in 2006 in Rome.

I remember the fantastic band that accompanied Amy and the charisma she radiated: that night I signed my first record deal, which would tie me to Universal International for several years. With Deep Purple, a sort of city legend was born because I faced their audience with nothing but a simple electrified classical guitar, winning over an extremely hostile crowd from the first song. It was 2006, and at that time, I hadn’t released anything yet. Receiving compliments from Deep Purple themselves was wonderful. I’ve also worked with Radiohead’s manager, Chris Hufford, on his Anti Atlas project, and I recorded and sang on an album of unreleased Jeff Buckley songs with Gary Lucas. I have countless memories, but in general, I always love creating new ones.

-)Your stage name is inspired by the Oscar-winning Italian-American actor Robert De Niro. Tell us about your relationship with cinema.

Yes, the name is inspired by the great American actor. The reason is that back then, The Niro started as a band, and we needed to find a nice name, and the nickname stuck with me even when The Niro turned into a singer-songwriter project. My relationship with cinema is visceral. I love cinema: from serious films to comedies, with a particular fondness for the French Nouvelle Vague. It was inevitable for me to end up writing for the cinema. I write a lot for images, and I’ve been fortunate enough to collaborate with many directors, both Italian and foreign. I’ve written soundtracks, among others, for James McTeigue, director of V for Vendetta. It was a great experience. One of the last soundtracks I worked on was for the short film The Moor by Daphne di Cinto, which was submitted for the 2024 Oscars.

-)Tell us about your recent collaboration with director Christian Candido.

Christian is a fantastic director from Turin who involved me in the series Boombox, which is based on a very strong idea tied to music. This, combined with his contagious passion and narrative imagination, led me to form a relationship where I’m involved as a composer, actor, and even a designer (I designed the Boombox, which will be an iconic element of the series). I thank Christian for involving me, and we can’t wait to start production on the series; I’m sure it will surprise many.

-)What do you not like about the world, and what would you change?

I don’t like power being concentrated in the hands of a few people. I don’t like war, and I don’t like the casual way false news is spread. If I could, I’d go back to the 60s: there were wars then too, but at least the music was fantastic.

-)What’s your impression of WILD FILMMAKER?

It’s a space that gives voice to the independent voices of cinema and lets them be known. I would say it’s an oasis in an environment where it’s always very difficult to stand out. Congratulations to you for what you do!