ONYKO FILMS AWARDS

Vincenzo De Sio

How did you start making films and what was the first film project you worked on?

I started almost twenty years ago. I attended the "Cinema School of Rome". I was young and a big fan of cinema and I wanted to know the "behind the scenes". The first film was the short film at the end of the course, a small horror film co-directed with a friend and classmate of mine.

Please name your most favorite directors. How have they been influential in your work?

My absolute favorite directors are Steno (Stefano Vanzina), Paolo Sorrentino, Federico Fellini, Kim Jarmusch and Tom DiCillo. Of all of them, especially Fellini and Sorrentino influenced me above all for their surreal gaze and because they "accuse" their characters in the films, put them before everyone's eyes. Steno was a great innovator for the Italian Cinema especially during ’60. Jarmush and DiCillo for their "indie" eye and because they can make great films even on small budgets.

What are your overall career goals and what’s next?

My career goals are essentially two, the first is to always be able to tell stories through cinema, the second, allow me to dream, will be the Oscar. I think it's the dream of anyone who does cinema.

The next goal is to turn my latest short "The Porn Radio Show" into a series, and there will be news soon!

Give some more information about yourself and the projects you have made so far, about your experience?

I've always been passionate about cinema, since I was a child and I've always been passionate about the "behind the scenes", how things are done. The figure of the director has always fascinated me and for a few years I also had experience as a theater actor, the stage and the audience have never scared me.

I also have a great passion for teaching cinema, especially to young people, I have been teaching directing and cinema courses for children and adults for many years. From 2017 I also started a career as an animation short film producer and moved to New York City, a big challenge! At the same time I am an art photographer, especially in urban style. I have won many awards and my work is exhibited all over the world.

What keeps you inspired to continue filmmaking?

The chance to tell stories, to offer my point of view to the world. Cinema makes me feel alive, the emotion of being able to work on a screenplay which then becomes a film is always very strong. Another moment that I love is the editing, it subverts everything and shuffles the cards! Scenes you loved during writing and filming may get cut, scenes you didn't consider become fundamental!

What did it mean for you, to be awarded in our festival, among so many projects?

When a Festival decides to reward you, it means that you have left your mark. Happiness doubles because it means your work environment recognizes your talent. Every award is a new emotion!

Do you have any advice for onewcomers?

Watch and learn as much as possible from past directors. Cinema is an art that feeds on itself, new films come from old ones. The other piece of advice I can give is to write new stories and look for new points of view to tell them. Lastly, to always persevere and insist, even when the difficulties seem insurmountable. Insist, resist and persist!

Vincenzo De Sio