Advanced search

Stefania Spampinato was born in Catania, Sicily, Italy and grew up in a small town at the base of the Etna Volcano called Belpasso. She started dancing at 6 years old. Her passion for the arts at a young age was undeniable so her mother started making her dance costumes so she could afford her daughter's tuition. After graduating high school with honors, she moved to Milan where she got a BA in performing arts. This lead to a very successful career in dance & theatre that lasted over 10 years traveling all over to locations like Paris, Tokyo, Shanghai, Mumbai, Berlin and included collaborations with Joaquin Cortez, Kylie Minogue, Leona Lewis, The Voice UK and X Factor US & UK. In 2011 she bought a one way ticket to Los Angeles. Since 2017 she is a recurring cast member of the record breaking ABC medical drama Grey's Anatomy and one of the leads of it's spin off show Station19 where she also portraits Dr. Carina Deluca. Among other projects she's been cast in the Oscar winning James Mangold movie "Ford vs Ferrari" starring Matt Damon & Christian Bale, in October 2019 she appeared as the leading female in the Italian comedy "Il Giorno più bello del mondo" written, directed and starring Italian comedy master Alessandro Siani. In 2022, Stefania made waves with her directorial debut, "Zita Sempri," at the Taormina Film Festival and directed the highly acclaimed Station 19 episode "Trouble Man." Stefania's journey from Sicily to Hollywood is a testament to her remarkable talent and unyielding passion.

Simone Susinna was born on 14 November 1993 in Catania, Italy. He is an actor, known for 365 Days: This Day (2022), Heaven in Hell (2023) and The Next 365 Days (2022).

Miriam Leone was born in Catania, Sicily, to Gabriella Leone, a municipal employee, and Ignazio Leone, a retired teacher. As a child, she lived in Aci Catena, where her parents were from.

In 2008, she was the winner of the 69th edition of the Miss Italy beauty contest that opened for her the doors of the entertainment world. She presented the TV show Unomattina Estate (1992), was the judge of the Ciak Award and the host of the Nastro d'Argento award ceremony in 2011.

She started her acting career doing small roles on TV and cinema before debut as lead actress in television series Distretto di polizia (2000), The Lady with the Black Veil (2015), Thou Shalt Not Kill (2015) and the trilogy 1992 (2015), 1993 (2017), and 1994 (2019) about the Tangentopoli scandal. In 2021, she played Eva Kant, the main role of the movie adaptation of the comics series Diabolik (2021).

She has been married to Paolo Carullo since September 18, 2021.

Donatella Finocchiaro was born on 16 November 1970 in Catania, Sicily, Italy. She is an actress and director, known for Angela (2002), The Wedding Director (2006) and Galantuomini (2008).

Though he's cut celluloid for some of the best in the business, chances are many film lovers wouldn't even recognize the name Pietro Scalia in a lineup of Hollywood's best film editors. Born in Sicily in 1960, Scalia resided in Switzerland before heading to Los Angeles to continue his education. After receiving his M.F.A. in Film and Theater Arts from U.C.L.A. in 1985, Scalia began his career as an assistant editor to Oliver Stone on such features as Wall Street (1987) and Talk Radio (1988). Later coming into his own with such films as JFK (1991) (for which he received a Best Editing Oscar) and Sam Raimi's The Quick and the Dead (1995), Scalia continued to work on such high-profile films as Stealing Beauty (1996) and G.I. Jane (1997). Scalia also received Best Editor Oscar nominations for Good Will Hunting (1997) and Gladiator (2000), though he would have to wait until the following year for his next win at the Oscars, as he received the Best Editing Award for director Ridley Scott's Black Hawk Down (2001).

Saro Urzì was born on 24 February 1913 in Catania, Sicily, Italy. He was an actor, known for Seduced and Abandoned (1964), The Godfather (1972) and In the Name of the Law (1949). He died on 2 November 1979 in San Giuseppe Vesuviano, Campania, Italy.

Marianna started her career as a model when she was only fifteen years old, working with top brands like Ermanno Scervino, Fendi, Giorgio Armani and appearing in magazines such as Vogue, Elle and L'Officiel. In 2008 Marianna participated at the competition for the title of Miss Italia, gaining the silver medal. Soon after she left for New York City to attend acting classes at The Lee Strasberg's Theatre and Film Institute. Back to Rome, Marianna started her career as an actress starring in popular TV series such as Come un Delfino (1 & 2), Benvenuti a Tavola 2 and Matrimoni e altre follie. Her outstanding performance in her first film leading role, Un Fantastico Via Vai (by L. Pieraccioni), got her to win the Oscar dei Giovani 2013 given by the Italian Presidency. Her performance in Guy Ritchie's film, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., gave Marianna the opportunity to reach a worldwide audience, overwhelming Italy's borders. We recently saw her leading role in the independent movie Come Saltano i Pesci and in Hundred to go, futuristic mini-serie produced by Fox International in collaboration with BMW, where she plays a rough tattoo artist who's indispensable to save mankind's future. In autumn she'll be starring (again as a leading) in the Italo-Canadian production Voice of the Wolf, a thriller feature movie about the werewolf's's legend also starring Christopher Lambert.

Pietro Torrisi was born on 20 January 1940 in Catania, Italy. He is an actor, known for Popeye (1980), Casanova (2005) and The Arena (1974).

Described by many critics as a promising director with a touch of Hollywood theatricality, Giovanni Marzagalli, known by his artistic name John Real, has made a name for himself in the Italian film scene with remarkable performances in genre cinema. This talented young artist from Catania has carved out a niche for himself by defining a distinct style and genre, offering a fresh perspective that sets him apart from the traditional offerings of Italian cinema. He strives to be recognized for his unique approach and the American influence that permeates his works, starting with his film titles.

In 2011, at the age of 21, Real won the Golden Globe for Best Breakthrough Director for his film "Native," marking him as the youngest director in Europe. The film premiered at the 68th Venice Film Festival in the festival's "digital expo" section and had the honor of opening at the prestigious Fantasy Horror Awards 2011. In 2012, John founded Real Dreams Entertainment Srl, a production company that immediately embarked on the creation of the thriller film "Midway Between Life and Death" (2013). Real Dreams made its mark in film distribution, releasing the film nationwide in Italy. The film received excellent feedback from critics, who praised its unique blend of suspense, drama, and paranormal elements, and was among the seven Italian films representing Italy at the 2014 Oscars. On August 7, 2014, Real was a guest at the Italian Horror Fest along with renowned directors such as Dario Argento, Ruggero Deodato, and Luigi Cozzi. He was honored with the IHF 2014 award, recognizing him as a director symbolizing a genre that has been a tradition in Italian cinema and was being revitalized by young filmmakers. In the following year, he also won Best Director at the I-Art Festival. In 2017, Real made his debut in the realm of episodic with the highly acclaimed TV series "Feel the Dead - Five Days," starring Estella Warren and William McNamara. The TV series received five awards at the monthly independent festival Oniros Film Awards in Aosta, Italy, including Best Director, Best TV Series, and Best Horror Drama. Real returned to the big screen with "The Music Box" (2019), winning him four more awards including Best Director. Soon after, Real delved into psychological thriller territory with his film "Obsessio" (2019), receiving eight awards including Best Film, Best Director, and Best Production.

Continuing his streak of success, Real's highly anticipated adventure fantasy film, "The Last Redemption," (James Cosmo, Kevin Sorbo, Angus MacFadyen) is in post-production and awaiting theatrical and distribution release worldwide. With its high-stakes plot, adrenaline-fueled action sequences, and Real's masterful direction, "The Last Redemption" is poised to be another captivating addition to Real's body of work.

A radio and TV show host, Diletta Leotta made her television debut in 2011 on Sky, in the weather forecast, and then later on Sky Sport where from 2015 to 2018, she hosted Sky Serie B and Goal Deejay. In 2018, on channel La7 she was the host of Miss Italy and the Gazzetta Sport Awards, while on Fox Life she emcees Il Contadino cerca moglie. Since July 2018, she is the leading woman of DAZN, where she hosts Diletta Goal and Linea Diletta. Also, on TV, for two years she graced the stage of the Sanremo Festival: in the year 2017 as a guest, while in last year's 70th show, she paired with Amadeus on the opening and the final evenings. In radio, since 2017 she has been one of the voices and faces of Radio 105 (channel 105 TV) where together with Daniele Battaglia she hosts 105 Take Away. In 2018 and 2019 she hosted the Grand Gala of Soccer, and also in 2019, the Sports Festival, too.

Franco Diogene was born on 20 October 1947 in Catania, Sicily, Italy. He was an actor, known for Midnight Express (1978), The Name of the Rose (1986) and Interzone (1989). He was married to Mariella Denari. He died on 28 May 2005 in Genova, Italy.

Giuseppe Fiorello was born on 12 March 1969 in Catania, Sicily, Italy. He is an actor and writer, known for Fireworks (2023), The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999) and Terraferma (2011). He has been married to Eleonora Pratelli since 16 October 2010. They have two children.

Tea Falco was born on 11 August 1986 in Catania, Sicily, Italy. She is an actress and director, known for Me and You (2012), Ceci n'est pas un cannolo (2018) and La solita commedia: Inferno (2015).

Rebecca Casiraghi is a famous italian lingerie model. Rebecca Casiraghi worked for Aubade Lingerie brand, one of the most important lingerie brand in France, she also worked for famous photographers of South of France, like Sylvio Testa and Marc Laurin. in 2018 Rebecca was cover for Playboy Italy and the new face of Laura Biagiotti Eyewear

Aurora Rosselli is an Artist, Photographer, Designer, Influencer, and Entrepreneur. Born and raised in Italy, she began her education at the Liceo Artistico and became devoted to the world of Art. After that, she enrolled at the Accademia di Belle Arti in Catania, where she continued gathering the tools necessary to express her passions you see today throughout her original artwork. She quickly gained popularity in Italy and later on her artwork was displayed in exhibits across Europe and the US. The extensive, formal background she gained of fine arts is today incorporated into her entrepreneurial perspective and has enhanced rather than formed her artistic viewpoint capturing the beautiful Art of everyday scenery and culture in her work.

Lorenzo Patanè was born on 20 November 1976 in Catania, Sicily, Italy. He is an actor, known for All the Money in the World (2017), Child K (2014) and Tatort (1970).

Giulia Fiume was born on 22 May 1988 in Catania, Sicily, Italy. She is an actress, known for Suburra (2015), Sei donne: Il mistero di Leila (2023) and Romanzo siciliano (2016).

Laura Torrisi was born on 7 December 1979 in Catania, Sicily, Italy. She is an actress, known for Tuscan Passion (2012), Sharm el Sheikh - Un'estate indimenticabile (2010) and A Beautiful Wife (2007).

Daniele Gangemi was born in Catania. At the age of fifteen he was fascinated by the world of photography and began experimenting, photographing and printing with an "analogue" reflex camera and all the tools of the time at his disposal. In those years he too began to work as an author and host in two local TV stations in his city. His versatility soon led him to radio too, where for more than fifteen years he was speaker and author of several and successful Sicilian radio programs. Between 2002 and 2003 in Bologna is the moment for him to make his debut as director, producer and screenwriter of the short film "Alter Ego" (a single sequence shot in super8 film). In 2007 Daniele was hired to take care of the photography of the historical-religious film "Petali di Rosa", with Claudia Koll and Antonella Ponziani, one of Federico Fellini's latest muses. In 2008 he is back in Catania to direct his first film, "Una notte blu cobalto", for which he also writes the story and the screenplay. He thus has the opportunity to select and direct well-known and talented actors and actresses such as Alessandro Haber, Corrado Fortuna, Regina Orioli and Valentina Carnelutti, and to entrust the composition of the original soundtrack to Giuliano Sangiorgi, the Negramaro frontman. In 2009 he was officially invited to compete at the 42nd Worldfest International Independent Film Festival in Houston, Texas (the oldest independent film festival in the world, known for having discovered over the years masters such as Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, Ang Lee, Ridley Scott , Robert Rodriguez, the Coen Brothers, Spike Lee, Oliver Stone and David Lynch, giving them the first awards and the first opportunity to present their works to the public) where he will present in world premiere his film "A cobalt blue night" obtaining the prestigious award for "Best First Feature", which will give Gangemi the consecration as a leading talent and author of the indie scene of international cinema. In 2010 Bolero Film decided to bring his work to Italian cinemas and in 2011 CG Home Video began to market the DVDs of "A cobalt blue night" on the home video circuit all over the world. In 2013, on the occasion of the "XVII Child Victim Day", the historic organization "Meter", of the brave Don Fortunato Di Noto, contacted him to direct a campaign-spot against pedophilia and dedicated to the children victims. The same year sees the work of Daniele Gangemi appreciated by the "BBC Music Video Festival" with the music video "Safari Now", which he conceived, written and directed. From 2013 to today he also has the opportunity to work as Director of Photography for several young and promising directors, helping them in their debut. Since 2018 he has been the Founder and Artistic Director of the Militello Independent Film Fest, the international festival of independent cinema nicknamed Anti-Venice by the national press (due to its indie vocation and the coincidence with a few days of the Film Festival). the title of best independent Italian festival is taken by right, a record that until a few years ago was an exclusive of the Turin Film Festival, so much so that the much sought-after doors of the Italian Pavillon of the infamous Cannes Film Festival were even opened, for the official presentation of its second edition. Recently Gangemi has made as author and director the award-winning music video of the song "Silence in silence" by the well-known and appreciated Sicilian singer-songwriter Mario Venuti. At the end of October 2020 he launched the now cult Pilot Episode of the series entitled "Fratelli Noir", interpreted by Renny Zapato and Francesco Turrisi, with the original music by Salvo Bruno Dub, who in about a year was officially selected in the competition for almost 100 prestigious international film festivals, bringing home more than 40 awards. In 2021 he made the documentary entitled "Ti racconto tuo padre", on the figure of the well-known actor Fabrizio Bracconeri, undisputed glory of Italian TV of the 80s, who during a sea voyage (between the waves of the Mediterranean and the curves of memory) tries to tell about himself to his severely autistic son Emanuele, hoping that one day he too will understand his words, his story, his choices, his hopes and dreams as a father. On the other hand, 2022 is the time for Gangemi to devote himself to another documentary entitled "Qualcosa brucia ancora", which aims to be the cinematic opportunity to retrace the history of Mario Venuti, one of the most important and beloved contemporary Sicilian singer-songwriters, reviewing his first memories, his first steps in music, in a still underground and mysterious Catania, the "epic" decade with Denovo and subsequent years of success as a soloist that have led him to the present day. The latest "creature" and cinematographic challenge of the Director and Artistic Director Daniele Gangemi is the Latina Independent Film Festival, always under the banner of independence and auteur cinema. In April 2002 Gangemi, at only 41 years old, boasts already more than 60 prestigious awards officially certified by IMDb, the world cinema database.

Guia Jelo was born in Catania, where she graduated from Teatro Stabile in 1974. After that, she was trained by Giorgio Strehler at Piccolo Teatro in Milan. After a long career in theater, she debuted in cinemas with the films "Corleone", "Chiedo Asilo" and "Le Buttane" by Aurelio Grimaldi, which won her a nomination for Best Actress at Cannes Film Festival in 1994. She played in other numerous films among which: "Volesse il cielo" by Vincenzo Salemme, "E adesso sesso" by Carlo Vanzina, "Strangled Lives" by Ricky Tognazzi, "Il mio nome è Thomas" by and with Terence Hill, "L'erede", by Michele Zampino and "La scomparsa di Patò" by Andrea Camilleri and directed by Rocco Mortelliti. Recently, she was in "La befana vien di notte: le origini" by Guaglianone and Menotti and directed by Paola Randi. She appeared on television in numerous shows such as: "La piovra 9", "Il commissario Montalbano", "Incantesimo 7 e 8", "I Cesaroni 3", "L'onore e il rispetto", "Un caso di Coscienza" and "Le più belle frasi di Osho".

Very clever and versatile Italian comic actor, Jerry began his career in cabaret when he acted in the famous Italian group "Gatti di vicolo Miracoli", he composed and performed many songs with this group. He got married once to the famous Italian show girl, Mara Venier.

Francesco Foti was born on 24 September 1965 in Catania, Sicily, Italy. He is an actor, known for The Hunter (2018), Tiger Boy (2012) and Corleone (2007).

Ada Pometti was born on 13 May 1942 in Catania, Sicily, Italy. She is an actress, known for Watch Out, We're Mad (1974), Acts of the Apostles (1969) and La pelle sotto gli artigli (1975).

Leo Gullotta was born on 9 January 1946 in Catania, Sicily, Italy. He is an actor and producer, known for Zootopia (2016), A Respectable Man (1999) and Cinema Paradiso (1988). He has been married to Fabio Grossi since 2019.

Giorgio Bruno was born in Catania on August 5, 1985. He started to take its first steps in the movie business shooting short films entirely self-produced. At 21 he began working as backstages author for various films and TV series and, successively, as a production assistant. In 2013 he founded, with Angelo D'Agate, the Explorer Entertainment with whom he produced his first feature film "The Perfect Husband", directed by Lucas Pavetto; a violent and bloody thriller, shot entirely in English, designed and built for a global market . The film has got great recognition around the international festivals and won the "Los Angeles Horror Competition" and the "Fantafestival" in 2014. In the same year Giorgio Bruno was executive producer of "The Voyage", a dramatic Road Movie with a great Gerard Depardieu. In 2015 he produced with Emanuele Moretti, young independent producer, the horror "Bite", directed by Alberto Sciamma. The film starring a great cast that boasts great names as Vinnie Jones (X Men - The Last Stand, and Euro Trip) and Costas Mandylor (The Saw franchise) got good reviews, and partecipated at the "Sitges" festival. This was also the first film that has been entirely post- produced by Explorer Entertainment and its in-house laboratory. Also in 2015, Giorgio Bruno co-produced and directed his first film "Almost Dead" for the international market, a good mix of horror-drama completely set in a car. Along with Almost Dead, comes "Uninhged" a visionary thriller directed by Giorgio Serafini with Sean Patrick Flanery as a protagonists (Powder, Dexter) and Eric Balfour (Texas Chainsaw Massacre), shot entirely in the United States. Both films got good foreign distribution that puts them right away in stand-out on the world market. 2016 started with a new international production boasting increasingly important names. Dominique Swain (Face Off and Lolita) and William McNamara (Copycat) are the protagonists of "Deprivation" a horror / sci-fi, directed by Brian Skiba. In early 2017, Giorgio Bruno has written, produced and directed his second movie "My little baby", a declaration of love for the 80's horror films. Shot entirely in Florida, USA, the film boasts the presence of a great cast, with John Ashton, the Sergeant Taggart from Beverly Hills Cop and Jeremy Sande co star of Thriller Deepwater Horizon by Peter Berg.