Francesco Carrozzini

Francesco Carrozzini
Francesco Carrozzini
Born	(1982-09-09) September 9, 1982 Monza, Italy
Occupation	Film director, photographer
Spouse(s)	Bee Carrozzini (2018-present)

Francesco Carrozzini (born September 9, 1982) is an Italian-born director and photographer currently based between Los Angeles and New York City.

Early life

Carrozzini was born in Monza, Italy. The son of Franca Sozzani, former editor-in-chief of Italian Vogue, he grew up surrounded by actors, musicians and artists. He began taking pictures and making short films with friends in his early teens. In the summer of 1999, he relocated to Los Angeles to study film at the University of California, Los Angeles. He later returned to Italy to study philosophy at the University of Milan before moving to New York City in 2004 to assist photographers such as Bruce Weber and Peter Lindbergh.

Film

Carrozzini's first film job came at age 19, when he directed a 30-second promo for Italian MTV. In 2005, commissioned by advertising agency McCann Erickson, he created a commercial for the 51st Venice Biennale.^[1] He traveled to Poland in 2006 to shoot a documentary about the life and creative process of the Polish Theatre Wierszalin.^[2] Later that year, he collaborated with The New York Times on the creation of a project that became known as “The New York Times Screen Tests,”^[3] a collection of intimate video interviews with entertainment figures that included Natalie Portman,^[4] Charlize Theron, and Marion Cotillard. The series received a nomination in the "New Approaches - Daytime Entertainment" category at the 37th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards.^[5]

In 2008, Carrozzini directed the short film "1937", a psychological thriller shot in Suite #822 of the infamous Chelsea Hotel, which screened in competition at the Venice Film Festival.^[6] In the years since, he has directed commercials for clients such as Apple Music, Fiat 500 and Tommy Hilfiger. In 2009, his Ray Ban viral short "Color Goes Pop" received a Young Director Award nomination at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.

In 2013, he began directing music videos, and has collaborated with musicians Beyoncé, Jay-Z, and Lenny Kravitz, amongst others.

In 2016, Carrozzini debuted his first feature-length film, a documentary focusing on the life and legacy of his mother entitled Franca: Chaos and Creation.^[7] The film, which took Carrozzini roughly six years to complete, highlights the groundbreaking accomplishments of Sozzani's career in fashion publishing while also exploring the more personal relationship between a mother and her son. Franca: Chaos and Creation premiered on September 2, 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, with Suzy Menkes describing it as "a powerful personal journey".^[8][9][10] The film hosted its North American premiere as part of the Hamptons International Film Festival on October 8, 2016^[11] and was featured at AFI Fest in Los Angeles. The film also screened at festivals in Mumbai, Denver, Vancouver, and Palm Springs. In March 2017, the film was honored with a Nastro d'Argento presented by the Italian National Syndicate of Film Journalists.^[12] The film was released digitally worldwide across Netflix, Amazon and iTunes on October 1, 2017.^[13][14]

In April 2017, the first episode of Apple Music's 'Up Next' campaign was released, directed by Carrozzini and featuring 6lack.^[15][16] He also directed the second and third installments, which featured artists Sigrid and Khalid.^[17] He collaborated again with Apple Music in March 2018 on a Beats 1 performance video for singer/songwriter Yebba.^[18]

In May 2017 it was announced that Carrozzini's second feature film will be an adaptation of "Midnight Sun" by best selling author Jo Nesbø.^[19][20]

He is signed with Steve Rabineau at William Morris Endeavor for film and production company Reset Content for commercials.^[21]

Photography

Carrozzini is also known for his portrait photography; he has photographed a diverse range of contemporary pop culture icons including actors Angelina Jolie, Robert De Niro, Cate Blanchett, and Scarlett Johansson; models Naomi Campbell, Heidi Klum,^[22] Linda Evangelista,^[23] Milla Jovovich,^[24] Stephanie Seymour and Tyra Banks; musicians Beyoncé, Lana Del Rey,^[25] Sting, Keith Richards,^[26] Kanye West, Jay-Z, and Nicki Minaj, as well as artists Jeff Koons, Richard Prince, Andres Serrano,^[27] and Marina Abramović.^[28]

He has also worked several political figures; among them, former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Tony Blair, former Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, former United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon,^[29] and former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg.^[30]

Carrozzini's images have appeared on the covers and in the pages of: Vanity Fair, The New Yorker, New York Magazine, W, Rolling Stone, L'Uomo Vogue, Vogue Italia and Pop, among others. His advertising client list includes Apple Inc., Estee Lauder, Biotherm, Sony Music, Mini Cooper, Roberto Cavalli, Ermenegildo Zegna, Salvatore Ferragamo, DKNY, Tommy Hilfiger, Levi's, Baume & Mercier and Chopard.

Videography

Filmography

Cinematography

Exhibitions

• September 2015: Solo photography and film exhibition, "Music", Earth Gallery, Paris^[34]
• May 2015: Solo photography exhibition, "Portraits", Istanbul'74 Arts Festival, Istanbul^[35]
• January 2012: L'Uomo Vogue cover shots included in Sotheby's charity auction celebrating the magazine, Paris^[36]
• May 2010: Solo photography exhibition, "Portraits", Diane Von Furstenberg Gallery, New York^[37]
• May 2007: Solo photography exhibition, "Unique Exposure", Galleria Cardi, Milan^[38]
• March 2004: Video installation "Pause", Duomo Cathedral, Milan

Creative Direction

2016

   Carrozzini has worked as freelance creative director for brands such as Adidas and Peroni.

2015

   Carrozzini has provided creative direction to the Connect4Climate program, a global initiative launched by the World Bank and the Italian Ministry of Environment that seeks to take on the challenge of climate change by promoting solutions and empowering people to act.[39]

Awards

• In February 2016, Carrozzini and his team received an award from Global Green acknowledging the achievements for work done at Connect4Climate.

Brand Ambassador

Vanity Fair Best Dressed

• In September 2013, Carrozzini was included on Vanity Fair's International Best Dressed List.^[42]

References

External links

• Official website