------------------------------

"Melini has created something far more interesting than most of what Hollywood has to offer" - "I truly hope someone stands up and gives the money that Davide and his team need and help him get recognised in the bigger film world, because this guy is the future of film" - "Melini’s style and filmmaking history confirms he is part of a new generation of giallo filmmakers that continues to expand upon the genre in exciting ways" - "On the national and international level he is a talent on the rise" - "Melini has a solid future in the horror biz" - "Melini has a fantastic eye for the visual and takes command of his audience from the start and shows a great deal of promise in what could be as his career begins to take off" - "With his unusual style that is infamous among Italian directors, Davide Melini is definately one to watch" - "If this is any indication of the caliber of film he can make, I look forward to his feature-length projects!" - "Melini brings complexity and possibilities to a world of horror that could really use his help" - "Director Davide Melini packs more suspense in just minutes in this short film than many directors do in over an hour and a half of screen time" - "Director Davide Melini seems ambitious and creative" - "One of the up and coming directors I have been keeping my eye on is Davide Melini" - "He is also a great storyteller as well as visionary" - "His stylish and well-crafted short films are definitely a must-see" - "Melini is a sharp director and I want to see what he can do with more material" - "It’s a shame that he hasn’t yet received an offer to make a full-length feature" - "The talent of Davide Melini is evident in the few minutes of the film. You can see he has a talent with suspense films and I really hope there will be a full length production from him" - "Davide’s shorts have been winning him accolaids and awards as well as being selected for numerous film festivals. Clearly a talented man to keep your eyes on" - "Melini proves he can competently tell a story that keeps our interest, and most importantly, his direction and use of camera movement is what best shows his style, a frenetic tide that rises until the final slam-bang ending" - "Director Davide Melini, aware that every second counts, is able to evoke similar visceral moments to early Lucio Fulci, Dario Argento, and Mario Bava through highly stylized camera work" - "How Melini tells their stories in this film is imaginative and visually dramatic, and although the “message” at the end of the film feels a bit heavy-handed, it’s shot through with feeling that makes it go straight to your heart. It’s a moving and beautiful film" - "One Filmmaker to have our eyes on in the future... Can't wait for his next upcoming film THE SWEET HAND OF THE WHITE ROSE" - "Davide Melini really knows how to frame and light a shot. I'd love to see what he could do with a feature with complete control like he has in his shorts" -"Melini is definitely somebody to watch" - "Melini shows us some of his talents he spins things around, making it stand out above most short movies" - "The director can easily tell a story visually, and he knows when and how to use the camera, and has an eye for interesting compositions" - "Melini’s use of the camera is one that is belonging to the feature" - "Melini has created a short film here that is both stylishly appealing and emotionally satisfying" - "He's an aspiring Italian film maker that brings with him all of the attributes that has made Italy famous in the world of horror" -"With THE PUZZLE, Italian filmmaker Davide Melini makes a basic idea interesting and creates a disturbing and fascinating movie with very little run time" - "Director Davide Melini manages to take two somewhat tortured concepts and put them together creating a clever, captivating, well paced short film" -"Melini shows us what direction he wants to go in film making. Let ‘s hope he will have more of this goodness for us in the future" - "Melini is able to create a haunting atmosphere with color and lighting" - "The Italian writer/director certainly knows how to tell a story" -"Melini manages to create a good atmosphere, momentary tension, a few effective jump scares and last moment twist" -"Estamos ante un cortometraje de escasos 5 minutos donde Davide Melini realiza una gran labor de dirección" -"Davide, escritor y director a su vez, realiza un fenomenal trabajo tras la cámara, con planos dulces (como la mano) y maestros (véanse las secuencias de la niña en el parque) desde el primer minuto" - "Con una sola localización, dos actores, y menos de 5 minutos de duración, Davide Melini consiguió crear un thriller en toda regla que funcionó a la perfección, consiguiendo buenos comentarios tanto de la crítica como del público, e incluso ha sido emitido por diferentes cadenas de televisión" - "Nuevamente Melini demuestra una gran destreza detrás de la cámara" - "Davide Melini, "L'Enfant Prodige" del Cinema Horror Italiano" - "Con il ritorno in scena di uno dei più importanti registi horror italiani di questi ultimi anni, il giallo italiano si prepara a festeggiare in grande il suo 50º compleanno" -"Davide Melini ancora una volta fa centro, confezionando in pochi minuti un capolavoro che merita assolutamente di essere visto: ogni scena, ogni inquadratura, ogni particolare è stato sapientemente incastrato, cesellato, affinato, diretto, montato e musicato con una maestria degna di un regista professionista" - "Le inquadrature, rivelano un talento artistico notevole e metodi quasi da manuale" - "Davide Melini, uno dei registi più rappresentativi nel campo dell’indipendente italiano" - "La paura protagonista dei lavori di Melini viene da lontano, da quell’ignoto e quasi dimenticato cinema horror italiano che viene sempre citato e omaggiato ma al quale pochi (a parte Melini) riescono a dare continuità" -"Davide Melini - Pioniere italiano del genere horror" - "Il sottobosco delle produzioni indipendenti ha trovato un nuovo talentuoso autore" - "Il regista riesce anche se con un budget veramente bassissimo, si parla di una cifra intorno ai 300 euro, a realizzare un piccolo miracolo cinematografico" - "Il regista inscena un dramma umano e lo rappresenta attraverso la metafora di una vicenda fantasy-horror che niente concede all'improvvisazione, all'ingenuo entusiasmo dilettantesco o ai ritmi sonnacchiosi e melensi di certe produzioni televisive" - "Ci auguriamo che Davide possa presto misurarsi col lungometraggio e, soprattutto, che abbia l’occasione di lavorare in Italia: abbiamo bisogno di lui, di spaventi, di pulp, di azione, di gioventù - "Non ci sono dubbi sul fatto che avrà successo e che saprà distinguersi tra i giovani emergenti che cercano di farsi un nome, in Italia e all'estero. Davide non solo è sulla buona strada, ma rischia davvero di fare un ottima carriera, visti già i promettentissimi lavori che ha proposto" - "Davide Melini, sicuramente uno dei nomi più interessanti del sottobosco cinematografico di genere" - "Siamo di fronte ad un nuovo talento registico italiano da tenere d'occhio" - "La regia di Davide è sempre più autoritaria e sicura e lo si vede in ogni fotogrammo, nella ottima scelta dei due protagonisti e in particolare nel dare ai personaggi un'anima capace di comunicare con coloro che guarda le immagini" - "La regia di Melini è molto pimpante e fumettistica tanto da dare l'idea di tradurre in immagini le tavole di un ipotetico storyboard" - "Una regia da manuale inanella una serie di inquadrature, che giocano con il genere" - "Un giovane regista da tener d'occhio" - "Il regista dimostra di avere talento da vendere" - "Chi mi segue da un pò sa tranquillamente che spesso mi diletto a sponsorizzare ottimi giovani registi italiani in fase di crescita, uno dei più promettenti è stato senza dubbio l'italo spagnolo Davide Melini" -"Eppure, di autori interessanti ce ne sono. Uno di questi è Davide Melini, sceneggiatore e regista di cortometraggi e assistente alla regia in diversi film" - "Il regista si impossessa della camera, regalando dinamici movimenti di macchina"

lunedì 30 aprile 2018

'Lion': Official Selection #92 in Malaga (Spain)

This evening I'm very happy to announce that 'Lion' is an official selection at the "Cortoben - Certamen de Cortometrajes de Benagalbón".
My short film is screening this thursday at 6:00pm in the "Centro de Estudios de Folclore de Benagalbón" of Malaga (Spain).
Check out the selected films here.
Congratulations to all the cast & crew!!!

sabato 28 aprile 2018

'Lion' is screening tomorrow in the "FI PI LI Horror Festival" (Italy)

Tomorrow 'Lion' will be screened in the final of the "FI PI LI Horror Festival", that will take place at 12:00pm in the "Nuovo Teatro delle Commedie" of Livorno (Italy).
Check out the festival program here.
Good luck!!!

giovedì 26 aprile 2018

'Lion' screens tonight in the "Milledgeville Film Festival" (US)

Today 'Lion' is screening in the final of the "Milledgeville Film Festival", that will take place at 9:00pm in the "Central State Hospital" of Milledgeville, Georgia (US).
Check out the festival program here.
Of the 9 horror shorts that will be screened, only 4 have been nominated for 'Best Film' and I'm very proud that 'Lion' is in!
Congratulations and good luck!!!

mercoledì 25 aprile 2018

'Este amor es de otro planeta' presented in the "Malaga Spanish Film Festival"

In the picture from left ro right: Ezekiel Montes, Kaco Forns, Elena Martínez, Daniel Diosdado, Susana Cruzado, Paul Lapidus)
I'm pleased ro report that the promotional teaser of 'Este amor es de otro planeta' has been
successfully screened in the "Malaga Spanish Film Festival" (click here to read the article).
This is a Spanish comedy, directed by Daniel Diosdado and produced by Ezekiel Montes, where I was lucky enough to work as 1st Assistant Director.
In regards to the film's cast, there are Elena Martínez, Kaco Forns, Álvaro Pérez, Paul Lapidus, Susana Cruzado, Cachito Noguera and Javier Zurita.
Release date in theaters: March 2019.
Remember this date!

martedì 24 aprile 2018

'Lion' is screening tomorrow in the "Silicon Beach Film Festival" (US)

I'm proud to say that 'Lion' is screening tomorrow at 10:00am in the final of the "Silicon Beach Film Festival", that will take place on the "Cinemark Theaters Playa Vista" of Los Angeles, California (US).
Here you can see the festival program (my short film is at page 8).
Good luck!!!

lunedì 23 aprile 2018

'Lion': Awards #98-103 in Rome (Italy)

The big night has arrived... Drum roll please...
Today 'Lion' becomes one of the most awarded horror short ever!
And to reward it's not just any festival, but nothing less than the "Italian Web Oscars"...
It's with extreme pride that I announce that 'Lion' has won 6 new awards in the famous "Rome Web Awards" of Rome (Italy):
- Best Director;
- Best Young Actor (Pedro Sánchez);
- Best Actor (Michael Segal);
- Best Editing (Daniel Salinas);
- Best Visual Effects (Luca Visual FX);
- Best Trailer;
With these last 6, my short film surpasses 100 awards and reaches the number 103!
I want to thank the "LV Hair LTD" and all the producers (Luca Vannella, Alexis Continente, Vincenzo Mastrantonio, Bobby Holland Hanton, Ferdinando Merolla and Roberto Paglialunga) for believing strongly in the project and for their economic efforts; Pedro Sánchez, Michael Segal and Tania Mercader for giving life to their different characters with great results; and to all my wonderful crew, who did an excellent job.
Congratulations!!!

domenica 22 aprile 2018

"Independent Shorts Awards": here the 11 awards!

(BEST HORROR SHORT AWARD)
Tonight I'm extremely proud to show you the 11 awards that 'Lion' has won in the "Independent Shorts Awards" of Los Angeles, California (US).
Congratulations!!!
(BEST FANTASY SHORT AWARD)
(BEST MALE DIRECTOR AWARD)
(BEST ORIGINAL STORY AWARD)
(BEST CHILD/YOUNG ACTOR AWARD)
(BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY AWARD)
(BEST SPECIAL FX AWARD)
(BEST EDITING AWARD)
(BEST VISUAL FX AWARD)
(BEST ORIGINAL SCORE AWARD)
(BEST SOUND DESIGN AWARD)

sabato 21 aprile 2018

"Cinema WorldFest Awards": here the awards

(BEST HORROR SHORT AWARD)
This evening I'm very pleased to show you the awards that my short film 'Lion' has won in the "Cinema WorldFest Awards" of Ottawa, Ontario (Canada).
Congratulations!!!
(BEST SOUND DESIGN AWARD)

venerdì 20 aprile 2018

"Direct Short Online Film Festival": here the award

Today I'm very happy to show you the award that 'Lion' has won in the "Direct Short Online Film Festival" of Detroit, Michigan (US).
In this festival my short film also won the audience award.
Congratulations!!!

giovedì 19 aprile 2018

'Lion': Official Selection #91 in Cleveland, Ohio (US)

Today I'm extremely proud to announce that 'Lion' is an official selection at the prestigious "The International Horror Hotel" of Cleveland, Ohio (US).
My short film will be screened on June 3rd.
Check out all the selected films here.
Congratulations to all the cast & crew!!!

mercoledì 18 aprile 2018

'Lion': Official Selection #90 in Athens (Greece)

This evening I'm proud to announce that 'Lion' is an official selection at the "Horrorant Film Festival", that will held from May 3 to 9 at the "Cinema Ideal" of Athens (Greece).
The festival program is coming soon.
Congratulations to all the cast & crew!!!

martedì 17 aprile 2018

'Lion': Official Selection #89 in Alicante (Spain)

Sorry for the delay, but I was only informed a few days ago. 'Lion' was screened on March 3, in the final of the "Suspiria Fest" of Alicante (Spain).
Here you can read the festival program.
Congratulations to all the cast & crew!!!

lunedì 16 aprile 2018

Waiting for the "Rome Web Awards" ceremony

We still have to wait a few more days... The award ceremony of the prestigious "Rome Web Awards" (Italy) will take place from April 20 to 22...
I remember that my short film 'Lion' got 13 nominations (check out the video below):
- Best Film;
- Best Director;
- Best Screenplay;
- Best Actor (Michael Segal);
- Best Supporting Actor (Pedro Sánchez);
- Best Young Actor (Pedro Sánchez);
- Best Actress (Tania Mercader);
- Best Cast (Carlos Bahos);
- Best Cinematography (Juanma Postigo);
- Best Editing (Daniel Salinas);
- Best Visual Effects (Luca Visual FX);
- Best Trailer;
- Best Poster (Diego Gómez).
Good luck!!!

domenica 15 aprile 2018

'Lion': Award #97 in Ibarra, Imbabura (Ecuador)

After Chile, Colombia and Venezuela, 'Lion' also wins in Ecuador! Today I'm thrilled to announce that my short film has won the 'Best Terror Short' award at the "San Antonio Independent Film Festival" of Ibarra, Imbabura.
Check out all the winners here.
Congratulations to all the cast & crew!!!

venerdì 13 aprile 2018

'Lion': Awards #95-96 in Ottawa, Ontario (Canada)

The third time lucky. 'Lion' wins also in Canada! This evening I'm very proud to announce that my short film has won the 'Best Horror Short' and 'Best Sound Design' (Christian Valente) awards at the "Cinema World Fest Awards" of Ottawa, Ontario.
Check out all the winners here.
Congratulations to all the cast & crew!!!

mercoledì 11 aprile 2018

'Lion': Awards #93-94 in Detroit, Michigan (US)

Today I'm extremely excited to announce that 'Lion' has won other two new prizes at the "Direct Short Online Film Festival" of Detroit, Michigan (US). This time my short film received the 'Best Director' and the audience awards.
Check out the winners here.
Congratulations to all the cast & crew!!!

lunedì 9 aprile 2018

'Lion' commands in Hollywood: Awards #82-92 in Los Angeles (US)

'Lion' commands in Hollywood!!! I'm extremely proud to announce that my short film triumphed at the "Independent Shorts Awards", by winning 11 new awards:
- Gold Award for Best Horror Short;
- Gold Award for Best Fantasy Short;
- Silver Award for Best Director Male;
- Honorable Mention for Best Original Story;
- Silver Award for Best Child/Young Actor (Pedro Sánchez);
- Platinum Award for Cinematography (Juanma Postigo);
- Gold Award for Best Special FX (Sarah O'Brien, Daniele Nastasi, Niamhy Glynn);
- Platinum Award for Best Editing (Daniel Salinas);
- Gold Award for Best Original Score (Francesco Tresca);
- Platinum Award for Best Sound Design (Christian Valente);
- Gold Award for Best Visual FX (Luca Visual FX).
Here you can read all the winners (remember to check out the Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards and the Honorable Mentions).
Of the 92 awards, 43 comes from Los Angeles!
Congratulations to all the cast & crew!!!

sabato 7 aprile 2018

'Lion': Official Selection #88 in New York (US)

This evening I'm proud to announce that 'Lion' is an official selection at the famous "International New York Film Festival" of New York (US).
My short film will be screened on June 16th (click here to read the program).
Congratulations to all the cast & crew!!!

giovedì 5 aprile 2018

'Lion': Official Selection #87 in Livorno (Italy)

Today I'm very happy to announce that 'Lion' is an official selection at the prestigious "FI PI LI Horror Festival", that will held from April 28 to May 1 in Livorno (Italy).
Check out all the finalist films here.
Congratulations to all the cast & crew!!!

martedì 3 aprile 2018

'Lion': 12 nominations at the "Independent Shorts Awards" of Los Angeles (US)

Again in Hollywood! It's with extreme pride that I announce that 'Lion' is an official selection at the "Independent Shorts Awards" of Los Angeles, California (US).
My film has received 12 nominations:
- Best Horror Short;
- Best Fantasy Short;
- Best Director Male;
- Best Original Story;
- Best Duo (Michael Segal and Tania Mercader);
- Best Child/Young Actor (Pedro Sánchez);
- Best Cinematography (Juanma Postigo);
- Best Special FX (Sarah O'Brien, Daniele Nastasi and Niamhy Glynn);
- Best Editing (Daniel Salinas);
- Best Original Score (Francesco Tresca);
- Best Sound Design (Christian Valente);
- Best Visual Effects (Luca Visual FX);
Check out all the finalist films here.
Winners will be revealed soon.
Congratulations to all the cast & crew!!!

domenica 1 aprile 2018

'Lion': 13 nominations at the "Rome Web Awards" (Italy)

'Lion' is not only a horror and fantasy short film, but it's based on an important social problem... So I'm very happy to see that in the prestigious "Rome Web Awards" of Rome (Italy), my film will compete in the 'Social' category.
'Lion' received 13 nominations:
- Best Film;
- Best Director;
- Best Screenplay;
- Best Actor (Michael Segal);
- Best Supporting Actor (Pedro Sánchez);
- Best Young Actor (Pedro Sánchez);
- Best Actress (Tania Mercader);
- Best Cast (Carlos Bahos);
- Best Cinematography (Juanma Postigo);
- Best Editing (Daniel Salinas);
- Best Visual Effects (Luca Visual FX);
- Best Trailer;
- Best Poster (Diego Gómez).
The winners will be announce at the end of April.
Congratulations to all the cast & crew!!!