Applications for the 2023 Russo Brothers Italian American Film Forum will begin soon!
Anthony Russo and Joseph Russo, better known as the film-making Russo Brothers, were born and raised in Cleveland, OH, and the sons of Patricia Gallupoli an attorney and judge Basil Russo. Their parents were both of Italian descent from Sicily and Abruzzo.
The Russo Brothers Italian American Film Forum provides an incredible opportunity for ambitious and creative artists to make films that explore the Italian American experience. Together with AGBO and the Italian Sons and Daughters of America (ISDA), the Russo Brothers invite you to explore the present, past, and future of this unique and important cultural expression and identity.
A select number of applicants are awarded grants that act as the production budget for the story they’d like to develop and create for the screen. Documentary, narrative, fiction, and nonfiction are acceptable formats. There are few restrictions to the content of the film that can be produced, but above all, it must highlight some aspects of the Italian American experience.
The grants are available to people of nationalities and backgrounds since Italian American culture has touched many diverse groups in profound ways. Grants will be awarded based only on the promise of a film’s premise, how it relates to the Italian American experience and the creative potential of the filmmakers.
If selected, the filmmaker must deliver a film within the bounds of what has been outlined during the application process (which will open soon to the public). Failure to complete a film by the final due date or delivery of a film unrelated to or outside its immediate description written within the application will result in a full revocation of the grant and disqualification.
AGBO and ISDA reserve the right to screen the films on their platforms, and/or at events. This year, they are reimagining the opportunity to continue this tradition in a new and enhanced format.
Arianna DiCicco
Arianna DiCicco is an educator and writer from California, born into an Italian American restaurant family with strong ties to her grandparents’ home in Abruzzo, Italy. She has lived in San Francisco, Rome and New York City where she’s made deep connections within the Italian communities and gained new perspectives about her own culture. With a Masters in International Education, Arianna has a love and passion for learning and educating others about Italian history & culture.