By: Jaxon Lee
Tiziana Rocca is one of the rare female film festival directors today. She founded the Filming Italy Los Angeles, Filming Italy Sardegna and Filming Italy Venice Award.
What is the goal of Filming Italy Los Angeles, which is turning 11 this year?
The 11th edition of the Filming Italy Los Angeles festival will take place in Los Angeles from 10 to 14 February. The festival has created a bridge between Italy and the United States by bringing together many authors, directors, and actors. It has also secured three stars on the Walk of Fame for Giancarlo Giannini, Gina Lollobrigida, and – this year – Franco Nero.
When did you choose this job?
I started organising events when I was nineteen. Thirteen years ago, I became the artistic director of the Taormina Film Festival, a position I have resumed this year. I am the first European woman to hold the prestigious position of director of one of the world’s most famous film events.
However, I achieved all this through hard work. I have many years of experience in event organisation because I love taking on difficult challenges and turning them into successful events. Thanks to my comprehensive experience in the film industry, I have acquired fundamental skills and built valuable relationships. Organising Filming Italy Sardegna, which I founded, has allowed me to master the film industry to such an extent that I was able to invite directors such as Martin Scorsese and actors such as Oscar-winning actress Da’Vine Joy Randolph and Rupert Everett to the next edition of the Taormina Film Festival. The same happened with Filming Italy Los Angeles, the first festival to unite the two countries in the name of cinema.
I have always been determined: I had to prove myself in a male-dominated industry, and as a woman, I have always supported other women working in film.
You are also the director of the Taormina Film Festival. What does this role entail, and what does the festival mean to you?
The Taormina Film Festival this year reaches its 72nd edition: I’m the first European woman to hold such a prestigious position, directing one of the world’s renowned cinematic events. I love taking on difficult challenges and turning them into successful productions. My experience in the film industry has enabled me to develop essential skills and build valuable relationships, resulting in an impressive lineup of guests at previous events. Guests at the last Taormina Film Festival included Martin Scorsese, Oscar-winning actress Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Geoffrey Rush, Helen Hunt, Monica Bellucci, Olivia Wilde, Billy Zane, and Alison Brie. Henry Cavill, Edgar Ramírez, Will Poulter, Norman Reedus, Alex Garlan,d and Rupert Everett were also in attendance. However, you always have to put yourself out there because you must continually prove your abilities in the field.
Filming Italy Los Angeles promotes Italian cinema abroad. How does it achieve this?
The Festival has become a reference point for promoting audiovisual products; ten years is an important milestone, and it’s incredible how quickly they’ve flown by. The Festival has created a bridge between Italy and the United States, bringing many authors, directors, and actors. We have worked to promote Italian cinema and the Italian territory, and to make the peculiarities of our art and culture known here in Los Angeles. An indispensable partnership has now been created, as evidenced by the large presence of artists during the Festival. Moreover, the Festival has allowed authors and directors to help them find international distribution and to enhance their work in the best way.
Could you give us a preview of this year’s edition?
Anna Ferzetti, an artist who embodies the values of Filming Italy — promoting Italian talent, cultural openness, and creative dialogue between different film industries — will be the ambassador for this edition. The festival will open with the documentary Allevi – Back to Life, which tells the intense, authentic and deeply human story of rebirth, strength and love for music. Giovanni Allevi’s presence on the opening day makes this moment even more significant.
Guests at this edition include the Oscar-winning actress Juliette Binoche; the director Julian Schnabel; the actress Jacqueline Bisset, an iconic face on the big screen; the Oscar winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph; the star of Emily in Paris, Samuel Arnold; Rosario Dawson; and Dolph Lundgren, who will receive the Filming Italy Los Angeles Best Documentary Award for Dolph: Unbreakable; Omar Benson Miller, star of the Oscar-nominated film Sinners: Tonatiuh, starring alongside Jennifer Lopez in her latest film Kiss of the Spider Woman; costume designer Miyako Bellizzi, who has been nominated for an Oscar for Marty Supreme; Rayna Vallandingham, star of the Netflix series Cobra Kai; and Micaela Ramazzotti, who will be presenting her latest film Elena del ghetto. Also in attendance will be Paolo Genovese and Luca Zingaretti.