Francesco Carrozzini

Francesco Carrozzini was born in Monza, Italy in 1982. As the son of Franca Sozzani, the former editor-in-chief of Italian Vogue, he grew up in a very creative environment and began taking pictures and making short films with friends in his early teens. In the summer of 1999 he relocated to the United States and studied film at the University of California in Los Angeles, later returning to Italy to study philosophy at the University of Milan. He received his first major film job during this same time, directing a 30-second promotional spot for Italian MTV at age 19. Carrozzini moved to New York City in 2004 and began shooting photographs for editorials that included L'Uomo Vogue and Rolling Stone Magazine. Although at the time he was primarily shooting still photography, his main interest has always been in film. In 2005, he was commissioned by advertising agency McCann Erickson to direct a commercial for the 51st Venice Biennale. He traveled to Poland in 2006 and directed a documentary about the life and creative process of the Polish Theater Wierszalin. Carrozzini also notably collaborated with The New York Times that same year on a project that became known as "The New York Times Screen Tests", a collection of intimate video interviews with entertainment figures that included Natalie Portman, Charlize Theron, and Marion Cotillard. Conceptualized and directed by Carrozzini, the series received a nomination at the 37th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards. He next directed the short film "1937", a psychological thriller shot in Suite #822 of New York's infamous Chelsea Hotel. It screened in competition at the 65th Venice Film Festival. In the years since, Carrozzini has directed many commercials and campaigns for clients like Apple Music, Fiat 500 and Tommy Hilfiger, while also continuing to regularly shoot photographs for major editorials and luxury brands. Carrozzini's portraits are known for their narrative quality and his subjects have included Robert De Niro, Angelina Jolie, Cate Blanchett, and Kanye West. He has also photographed several prominent artists and politicians. Carrozzini began directing music videos in 2013 and has worked with Beyoncé, Jay-Z and Lenny Kravitz, among others. 2016 saw the debut of Carrozzini's first feature-length film "Franca: Chaos and Creation". A documentary focusing on the life and legacy of his mother as well as his relationship to her, the film premiered on September 2nd, 2016 in the "Cinema Nel Giardino" category at the 73rd Venice International Film Festival and received praise from several prominent members of the fashion industry. The film also screened at festivals in Los Angeles, Mumbai, Denver, Vancouver, and Palm Springs. In March 2017, the film was awarded with a Nastro d'Argento presented by the Italian National Syndicate of Film Journalists. In May 2017 it was announced that his second feature film will be an adaptation of the novel "Midnight Sun" by the best-selling Norwegian author Jo Nesbø. Carrozzini lives and works between New York and Los Angeles.