HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Here we are at the end of the year and it's time to do balance. How was 2017 for me? I thinks very well! 'Deep Shock' is still in post-production and it's finally coming in 2018, while 'Lion'... well, the numbers speak clearly:
- 67 selections in festival around the world & 64 awards in only 6 months of distribution!
- It's been screened in 21 countries (in alphabetical order): Belgium, Canada, China, England (3 awards), France (1 award), Germany, Greece, India (1 award), Italy (3 awards), Poland (1 award), Romania (2 awards), Russia, Scotland, Spain (1 award) and United States (48 awards)... The short has been also protagonist in South America: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia (1 award), Mexico, Uruguay and Venezuela (3 awards).
- 18 are the Best Film Awards.
- Los Angeles (24 awards) and New York (9 awards) are the cities where we have won more prizes.
- All departments of the film received awards and nominations: Production (2 awards), Direction (7 awards), Screenplay (1 award), Cast (11 awards), Cinematography (1 award), Production Design (1 award), Makeup (3 awards), Editing (4 awards), Visual Effects (10 awards), Music (2 awards), Sound (2 awards).
We hope that 2018 will be full of success, just like this year.
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!

'Lion': Award #64 in Paris (France)

The year is ending, but I want to give one last shot: I'm extremely proud to say that 'Lion' has won even in Paris! My short film received the 'Best Visual Effects' award (Luca Visual FX) at "The European Independent Film Award"!
Check out all the winners here.
Congratulations!!!

'Lion': Review #10 in Naples (Italy)

As I announced a few days ago, the tenth great review about 'Lion' is up! Check it out on the "Cinema che Passione" website (click here). The article has been written by Andrea Persi.
Thanks a lot!!!

'Lion': Official Selection #67 in Rome (Italy)

Today I'm very happy to report that 'Lion' is an official selection at the prestigious "Rome Web Awards" of Rome (Italy).
Considered as the Italian Web Oscars, this festival is one of the most important Italian event dedicated to independent video producers.
The full list of the finalist films will be published on March 1st, 2018, while for the nominations we have to wait for March (Merit Nominations) and May (Excellence Nominations).
Check out, below, the video presentation for this year.
Congratulations to all the cast & crew!!!

'Lion' triumphs at the "Southern Shorts Awards" (US): 13 awards!!!

Under the Christmas tree there are many gifts... let's start to count... 1,2,3... 8,9,10... Really nothing bad! Santa Claus has been very generous this year!
It's with extreme pride that I announce that my short film 'Lion' has won 13 awards (YES, YOU READ RIGHT!) in the "Southern Shorts Awards" of Roswell, Georgia (US):
- Award of Excellence for the 'Best Film' (Luca Vannella, Alexis Continente, Vincenzo Mastrantonio, Bobby Holland Hanton, Ferdinando Merolla, Roberto Paglialunga);
- Award of Excellence for the 'Best Director';
- Award of Merit for the 'Best Screenplay';
- Award of Merit for the 'Best Actor' (Pedro Sánchez);
- Award of Merit for the 'Best Actor' (Michael Segal);
- Award of Merit for the 'Best Actress' (Tania Mercader);
- Award of Excellence for the 'Best Cinematography' (Juanma Postigo);
- Award of Merit for the 'Best Production Design' (Carlos López and Carlos B. Luise);
- Award of Excellence for the 'Best Makeup FX' (Sarah O'Brien);
- Award of Distinction for the 'Best Editing' (Daniel Salinas);
- Award of Excellence for the 'Best Visual Effects' (Luca Visual FX);
- Award of Excellence for the 'Best Music' (Francesco Tresca);
- Award of Distinction for the 'Best Sound' (Christian Valente);
Not only has 'Lion' been honored with an Award of Excellence, but it has also placed as one of the top 3 scoring films in horror, which means it will be featured at the "Fall Season Film Screening", that will held next month at the "Aurora Cineplex". My short film will then receive an additional award...
I'll keep you informed about the screening and all the other news.
In the meantime we can enjoy these 13 prizes! Let's update the 'Lion' curriculum: the awards are now 63!!!
Congratulations to all the cast & crew and... MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE!!!

"Global Film Festival Awards": here all the awards!!!

(BEST HORROR FILM AWARD)

Tonight I'm very proud to show you all the awards that my short film 'Lion' has won in the prestigious "Global Film Festival Awards" (US). Congratulations!!!

(BEST CHILD ACTOR AWARD)

(HONORABLE MENTION: ACTOR)

(BEST EDITING AWARD)

(BEST ORIGINAL SCORE AWARD)

"Spotlight Film Awards": here the award

(BEST FILM)

This evening I'm glad to show you the award that 'Lion' has won in the "Spotlight Film Awards" of Atlanta, Georgia (US). Congratulations!!!

"North American Film Awards": here the award

(BEST EDITOR AWARD)

Today I'm pleased to show you the awards that my short film 'Lion' has won in the "North American Film Awards" of Washington (US). Congratulations!!!

'Lion' in Naples (Italy)

Waiting for the review of 'Lion', you can read the article written by Giuseppe Borsella for the well-known "Cinema che Passione" website (click here).
Thanks!!!

'Lion': Review #9 in Namur (Belgium)

"Davide Melini, roi de la jungle!"
Today I'd like to invite you to read the ninth great review about 'Lion', written by Rigs Mordo, that has come out on the "Toxic Crypt" website (click here).
Thanks a lot!!!

'Lion': Official Selection #66 in Roswell, Georgia (US)

Today I'm very glad to report that 'Lion' is an official selection at the "Southern Short Awards" of Roswell, Georgia (US).
This is a particular festival, where each film will be judged by three judges using a 10 point scale and cast & crew may also receive individual awards.
The top three films of each genre will be screened next month at the "Aurora Cineplex" theater.
Winners will be announced soon.
Congratulations!!!

'Lion': 7 Nominations at "The European Independent Film Award" (France)

As I announced last October 2, 'Lion' is an official selection at "The European Independent Film Award" of Paris (France). Today the jury announced the nominations for this year... I'm very proud to say that my short film got 7 nominations: 'Best Film', 'Best Director', 'Best Screenplay', 'Best Actors' (Pedro Sánchez and Michael Segal), 'Best Actress' (Tania Mercader) and 'Best Visual Effects' (Luca Visual FX).
Winners will be revealed at the end of this month. Fingers crossed!
Congratulations to all the cast & crew!!!

'Lion': Official Selection #65 in Toronto (Canada)

Tonight I'm very happy to say that 'Lion' is an official selection at the "Alternative Film Festival" of Toronto (Canada).
Check out the selected films here.
Winners will be announce soon.
Congratulations to all the cast & crew!!!

'Lion': Awards #49 and 50 again in Los Angeles (US)

After winning the 'Best Horror Film' award at the "Hollywood Film Competition" of Los Angeles (click here), 'Lion' adds two more prizes: 'Best Editing' (Gold Award for Daniel Salinas) and 'Best Visual Effects' (Luca Visual FX).
Here you can discover the winners.
And now my short film can celebrate its fiftieth award!
Congratulations to all the cast & crew!!!

'Lion': Review #8 in Naples (Italy) + 'Deep Shock' news

Check out the new review about 'Lion', written by Andrea Vantini, that has come out on the "Universal Movies" website (click here).
Today I'd like to talk as well about my other short film 'Deep Shock': the post-production work continues! This week we shot some details essential for the editing. I know very well that many people are waiting it, but this is a very big short film and requires a very deep work, where we have to be really meticulous. We proceed in small steps, but always moving forward!
Thanks a lot for the patience!

'Lion': Five new awards in Hollywood!!!

New awards from Hollywood! Tonight I'm extremely proud to announce that 'Lion' has triumphed at the prestigious "Global Film Festival Awards" of Los Angeles, by winning the awards for 'Best Horror Film', 'Best Child Actor' (Pedro Sánchez), 'Honorable Mention for Actor' (Michael Segal), 'Best Editing' (Daniel Salinas) and 'Best Original Score' (Francesco Tresca).
My short film was also nominee for 'Best Fantasy Film', 'Best Director', 'Best Actress' (Tania Mercader) and 'Best Sound Design' (Christian Valente).
Here the jury's verdict: "It's well written and well executed, we are so impressed. It has been an honor and a privilege to have your film here!".
Watch the amazing teaser below, in which you can discover the best of the festival.
To know all the winners, just click here.
And with these latest five, 'Lion' has won 48 awards!
Congratulations to all the cast & crew!!!

'Lion': Award #43 in Atlanta, Georgia (US)

Today I'm very happy to announce that 'Lion' received the Silver Award for the 'Best Film' at the "Spotlight Horror Film Awards" of Atlanta, Georgia (US).
Discover all the winners here.
Congratulations to all the cast & crew!!!

'Lion': Review #7 in Lancaster (England)

Today I'd like to invite you to read the seventh review about 'Lion', written by Sean Brannigam, that has come out on the "DeadPost" website (click here).
Many thanks!!!

'Lion': Official Selection #63 in Moscow (Russia)

Hi again! This evening I'm very proud to announce that 'Lion' is an official selection at the "Russian International Horror Film Awards".
The festival represents the most important horror event in Russia and the awards is annually visited by world-known honored guests, such as Eric Roberts ('The Expendables', 'The Dark Knight'), Stuart Gordon & Brian Yuzna ('Re-Animator'), Jodelle Ferland ('Silent Hill', 'The Cabin in the Woods'), Tobin Bell & Costas Mandylor ('Saw') and many others.
The evenit will take place from 25 to 31 March in Moscow and the awards ceremony will be televised by "TV1000 Viasat".
Congratulations to all the cast & crew!!!

'Lion': Official Selection #62 in Atlanta (US)

Today I'm very happy to say that 'Lion' is an official selection at the "Spotlight Horror Film Awards" of Atlanta (US).
Winners will be announced soon.
Congratulations to all the cast & crew!!!

'Lion': Review #6 in Pisa (Italy)

"Lion is a polished and clean short film with a beautiful cinematography, good interpretations and great visual moments".
Tonight I'd like to invite you to read the sixth great review about 'Lion', written by Matteo Mancini, that has come out on the "Giurista81" website (click here).
Thanks a lot!!!

'Lion': Official Selection #61 in Los Ángeles de San Rafael (Spain)

This evening I'm very happy to announce that 'Lion' is an official selection at the "Los Ángeles SR Film Festival" of Los Ángeles de San Rafael (Spain).
Check out the finalists here.
Congratulations to all the cast & crew!!!

'Lion': Award #42 in Washington (US)

Today I'm very proud to announce that Daniel Salinas has won the 'Best Editing' award at the "North American Film Awards" of Washington (US).
'Lion' received other 4 nominations: 'Best Horror Film', 'Best Director', 'Best Actor' (Michael Segal) and 'Best Sound Design' (Christian Valente).
Check out all the winners here.
Congratulations!!!

'Lion': Review #5 in Ancona (Italy)

This evening I'm glad to invite you to read the fifth great review about 'Lion', written by Marco Polenti, that has come out on the "JAMovie" website (click here).
Thanks a lot!!!

'Lion' celebrates the Official Selection #60 in Montevideo (Uruguay)

After Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Mexico and Venezuela, 'Lion' lands for the first time in Uruguay! Today I'm extremely proud to announce that my short film is an official selection at the "Festival Montevideo Fantástico".
'Lion' will be screened the next December 8 at 4:15pm in the "Sala Chaplin" (Montevideo).
Check out the festival program here.
Congratulations to all the cast & crew and... Good luck!!!

'Lion': Official Selection #59 in Beveren (Belgium)

I'm very glad to announce that my short film 'Lion' is screening tomorrow at 7:00pm in the final of the "International Film Festival Beveren" of Beveren (Belgium).
You can read the festival program here.
Congratulations to all the cast & crew and... Good luck!!!

'Lion': Official Selection #58 in Shanghai (China)

Tonigh I'm proud to announce that 'Lion' is an official selection at the "Bloodstained Indie Film Festival" of Shanghai (China).
Check out the selected films here.
Congratulations to all the cast & crew!!!

'Lion': Official Selection #57 in Washington (US)

Today I'm very proud to say that 'Lion' is an official selection at the "North American Film Awards" of Washington (US).
My short film received 5 nominations: 'Best Horror Film', 'Best Director', 'Best Actor' (Michael Segal), 'Best Editing' (Daniel Salinas) and 'Best Sound Design' (Christian Valente).
Winners will be announced soon.
Congratulations to all the cast & crew!!!