SELECTED HONORS
I’m Nico, a director and previs/layout artist from Palermo, Italy. I’m currently a BAFTA Newcomer Director based in Los Angeles.
I have worked as a previsualization artist at DreamWorks Feature Animation on upcoming THE WILD ROBOT and RUBY GILLMAN TEENAGE KRAKEN and in live action previs with some of my credits including THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER, INDIANA JONES AND THE DIAL OF DESTINY, and FAST X. I’m currently directing the feature film, A MOSQUITO IN THE EAR starring Jake Lacy and Nazanin Boniadi.
I feel called to communicate the beauty of life even in its faults and harshness. This is reflected in my work across all genres from fantasy, comedy, to drama. Every form of expression is a form of poetry.
In my work, I aim to show the audience a piece of our reality from a different perspective. I start with an issue, a topic, a feeling, and transform it into a story that connects with the viewer both on an intellectual and an emotional level.
BAFTA Newcomers Program, Director - 2022
Winner for “Best Scripted Series” at the “College Television Awards” presented by the Television Academy Foundation; “Our Side” - 2022
Finalist at the Student Academy Awards; “Our Side” - 2020, Los Angeles
Bronze Award for Best Directing at the Telly Awards; 2020
Accepted to the Short Film Corner at the Cannes Film Festival; “The Pages of Destiny” - 2021, Cannes, France
Winner at the USA Film Festival; “Our Side” - 2021, Los Angeles
Nominated at the Southeast Student Emmy; “Our Side” - 2021, Georgia
Semi-Finalist at Giffoni International Film Festival ; “The Pages of Destiny.” - 2020, Salerno
Best Student Short, at the SCAD Savannah Film Festival; “Our Side” - 2020, Los Angeles
Winner at the Milan Gold Awards, “The Pages of Destiny” - 2021, Milan, Italy
Winner at the IndieFEST Film Awards, “The Pages of Destiny” - 2021, La Jolla, CA
Winner at the Hollywood Gold Awards, “The Pages of Destiny” - 2021, Los Angeles
Nominated at the FILCKFAIR Film Festival; “The Pages of Destiny” - 2021, Los Angeles
Nominated at the Los Angeles Italia - Film, Fashion and Art Festival; “Our Side” - 2021, Los Angeles
Nominated at the BEYOND: The Cary Film Festival; “Our Side” - 2021, Cary, NC
Nominated at the Rome Int. Film Festival, “The Pages of Destiny” - 2021, Rome, GA
Nominated at Sunscreen Film Festival; “The Pages of Destiny” - 2021, Florida
Nominated at the Silicon Beach Film Festival; “The Pages of Destiny” - 2021, Los Angeles
Outstanding Academic Achievement Award for the School of Entertainment Arts at SCAD.
Diamond Jury Prize at Tulipani Di Seta Nera Film Festival ; “Our Side” - 2020, Rome
Best Student Film at the Milan Film Awards ; “Lovers Go to Mars.” - 2019, Milan
Outstanding Achievement Award; Berlin Flash Film Festival; “Story of a Whisper” 2018, Berlin
Special Mention; One-Reeler Short Film Festival; “Story of a Whisper” - 2018, Los Angeles
Mention of Merit for Editing; Southern Short Awards; “Story of a Whisper”- 2018, Georgia
Mention of Merit for the Soundtrack; Southern Short Awards; “Story of a Whisper”- 2018, Georgia
Official selection; Rome Independent Prisma Awards; “Story of a Whisper”- 2018, Rome, Italy
Official selection; Directors Circle Festival of Shorts; “Story of a Whisper” - 2018 , Online
Semi-finalists; LosAngeles Cinefest; “Story of a Whisper”- 2018, Los Angeles
Official Selection; ARFF Amsterdam International Awards; “Story of a Whisper” - 2018, Amsterdam
Official Selection; Heritage Film Festival; “Story of a Whisper”- 2018, Maryland
Finalist; I Corti dei Fabbri International Film Festival; “Story of a Whisper” - 2018, Trieste, Italy
Best Story Concept; Clara Morello Competition; “The Sailing Ship” - 2017, Palermo, Italy
Best Cinematography; Corti dei Fabbri International Film Festival; “The Sailing Ship” - 2017, Trieste, Italy
Official Selection; Tuscany Web Fest International Film Festival; “The Sailing Ship”- 2017, Lucca, Italy
Best Short Film; Citizenship Promotion Competition; “Color Your World” - 2017, Palermo, Italy
Best Book Trailer; City-Wide Contest; “100 Books” - 2015, Palermo, Italy
Best Video, Regional road safety promotion competition; “Only One Chance” – 2015, Sicily, Italy