“Frankie C” aka Frankie Cappello is an Actor, Writer, Producer, and Director. His body of work as a performer started in and around New York City at a very young age. His abilities were nurtured, allowing him to grow into the creative person he is today. The most recent short film Frankie directed called BULLIED, is directed by actress Kathrine Narducci.
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Ariana is a writer and filmmaker based in New York City. She is a 2018 M.A. graduate in Performance Studies at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts and a 2016 B.A. graduate of New York University, magna cum laude, where she majored in Dramatic Literature and minored in Film Production and Animal Studies. Ariana has nine days left and over another $1,200 left to raise for her latest short film, DEMONS, which deals with rejection and respect in romantic relationships. Her and her team shot the film in January 2017 and the reason it hasn’t been finished, largely, is due to lack of money. With support already from the female and queer film community, she’s now turning to the Italian American community for your support.
Check out her campaign here: seedandspark.com/fund/demons
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Dr. Elizabeth Celi., PhD, now redirects her 18 years as a psychologist into screenwriting and directing film and theatre. The fourth daughter of Sicilian immigrants to Australia, the passing of her mother in 2018 inspired Elizabeth to write, produce and direct her third short film, “Dare the Seas”. You can view the trailer at www.vimeo.com/310429466.
Elizabeth‘s development slate includes actively writing her third dram-edy feature screenplay and pre-production to direct a web-series and be 1st assistant director for fellow filmmakers. Post-production continues on her documentary exploring energy healing. Elizabeth is currently directing a one act stage play written by playwright Alex Broun. Her cast of five are enjoying the Italian snacks and meals she brings along to rehearsals, of course “mangia mangia” is an important mantra and way to take care of your community!
Her short film “Dare the Seas” has screened with Director’s Q&As to private and public audiences, now being written as a feature film. Invited to do an ABC Radio interview, Elizabeth contributed to the celebration of Harmony Day. Showcasing how the story of her mother in “Dare the Seas” reflects the attitude of compassion and understanding for immigrants starting a new life. A copy of the radio interview audio is available on request. “Dare the Seas” is a tribute to her mother’s brave journey immigrating to Australia in 1960. Temporarily leaving her two oldest daughters with her husband and mother in Sicily for two long years, “Dare the Seas” highlights the hope, tenacity and grit of a Sicilian woman making a short term sacrifice for the long term benefit of her family. Elizabeth relishes contributing to her worldwide Italian community as a writer, director and media commentator. Allowing our beautiful cultural heritage to positively influence the next generations brings Elizabeth immense joy and fulfillment.
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Charlie Romo is a singer and actor from New York City. A graduate of Wagner College, Romo is a classically-trained vocalist who developed an avid passion for, and a unique interpretation of recognizable standards of jazz and the Great American Songbook. Inspired by his favorite interpreters of classic American popular songs—many of whom are Italian-American singers he grew up listening to (Bobby Darin, Frank Sinatra, Louis Prima, Vic Damone, Tony Bennett, Dean Martin, Dion DiMucci, Michael Bublé)—Romo’s goal is to “carry the torch” of timeless music by reviving it in his own dynamic and refreshing way. The award-winning contemporary crooner performs in many cities throughout the U.S., including New York, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Miami. Romo also recently secured a role in a soon-to-be-released Apple TV+ series. Romo is a proud Italian American who grew up in a family with strong character, which has reinforced in him a style and persona that has served him well on stage and in life. He once worked as an intern at the Italian American Museum in Little Italy in New York City. Romo now performs in the annual Columbus Day Parade in NYC every year; he’s a member of multiple Italian American heritage organizations, and considers it a mission to defy negative stereotypes of the Italian American community. Romo is a proud supporter of NOIAFT’s mission and looks forward to being part of the organization’s growth.
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Michael Cavalieri is an actor, writer and director whose film, RITORNATO, recently received a prestigious grant from the National Italian American Foundation and the Italian Sons and Daughters of America. Cavalieri’s film tells the emotional story of a man who loses all his loved ones, and sets off on a journey to revisit his past and fulfill a promise made to his dying mother. He will be shooting on location in Limina, Sicily starting July 1st. Based on true events, Ritornato is dedicated to Cavalieri’s mother, Mary, and his Grandpa Agatino, who sacrificed so much to give him and his family a chance at a better life. He hopes his film inspires other Italian Americans to write and share their stories.
Cavalieri made his feature film debut starring opposite Academy Award-winner Hilary Swank in Columbia Pictures, “The Next Karate Kid.” Since that debut, he has had supporting roles in numerous features including acclaimed director Walter Hill’s “Last Man Standing,” starring Bruce Willis and Christopher Walken. Michael has also guest starred on numerous hit TV shows including ER and NYPD BLUE.
Michael has starred in multiple films that have won film festivals all over the world dealing with the Italian American experience. LA Times Critic Kevin Thomas hailed Michael’s performance in “The Stonecutter” as “outstanding…he has terrific presence and focus. His performance lures us into this increasingly complex and provocative drama.” Cavalieri strongly believes in the positive portrayal of Italian Americans in cinema or in any walk of life, stressing Italian Americans should be able to play many diverse roles instead of the stereotypical “mafia” tough guys.
To follow Michael’s filmmaking journey, check out @ritornato_the_movie_
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Analise Scarpaci is a New York based actress, singer and dancer. She was most recently seen as Mona in The York Theatre Company’s Lolita, My Love. Other credits include Matilda on Broadway and First National Tour and the Original Broadway Cast of A Christmas Story. Analise is currently a sophomore in the Musical Theatre program at Pace University in NYC. She is a proud Italian American and is looking forward to being a part of NOIAFT.
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Eric Eremita is a World Famous Celebrity Contractor and has appeared on HGTV’s Hit Show “Love It Or List” for almost 70 episodes! Last season (2018) “Love It or List It” Scored Show’s Best Rating in Almost 5 Years with over 17 million viewers. Eric has also appeared on HGTV’s Brother vs Brother (Season 2) starring Drew & Jonathan Scott aka “Property Brothers”. He is also airing in over 10 different countries. His family in Italy is ecstatic!
Eric is a proud Italian American born and raised in NYC. Staten Island to be exact. Eric has half of his Italian roots from Napoli, Benevento (Dad’s Side) & the other half from Sicily, Lercara Friddi (Mom’s Side). Eric has an artistic vision specializing in owner’s representation with a focus on interior & exterior design: “the marriage of luxury and artistry”. Since the late 90’s, Eric has won many awards for his Craftsmanship, Custom Home Building, Renovations and Interior & Exterior Design.
Please follow @ericeremita for a behind-the-scenes look and STAY TUNED FOR MORE! 🎥🎬🏠🔨
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Dominique is an Italian-American from Brooklyn, NY. She currently works in marketing and does makeup on the side. She has a hunger to see the world (because Brooklyn just ain’t big enough.) She’s also passionate about travel, art, and music and she dabbles in writing and photography.
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Ripley Lucas-Tagliani, soprano, is a native New Yorker from Manhattan entering her senior year as an undergraduate studying at Manhattan School of Music under the tutelage of Joan Patenaude – Yarnell. She was an honored soprano soloist at the 43rd National Italian American Foundation Gala in Washington D.C and Voyage of Discovery Scholarship Recipient. In the fall, she was in scenes as Marietta in Naughty Marietta and Cunegonde in Candide. Most recently she has performed as Ciboulette in scenes from Ciboulette. Her other operatic credits include Euridice (Orfeo ed Euridice) and Susanna (Le nozze di Figaro). Ms. Lucas-Tagliani has performed in masterclasses with Mira Zakai, Harolyn Blackwell, and Matthew Rose. She is a graduate from the prestigious Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts where she received the R. Sybil Mandel Memorial Vocal Scholarship Music Award in addition to six other music awards upon graduation including the Father Fame Vocal Scholarship Award.
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Brooklyn native Paul Mormando is an internationally recognized martial artist. Proving himself as a child prodigy he became an expert in Tae Kwon Do, Jujitsu and Kung Fu, and developed his own style called Cha Ki Do. Paul’s particular set of skills were recognized by the prestigious World Professional Karate Association and he has continued to share his talents as a highly successful martial arts instructor at his Mormando Martial Arts System schools.
The New York Police Department hired him to teach his skills with new officers, and the New York Board of Education engaged him to lecture students. Nicknamed in the press “Mr. Karate USA,” Paul achieved worldwide fame when he set a world record at Shea Stadium in front of 25,000 people and a TV audience of two million by breaking 56 boards in 58 seconds! This was followed by exhibitions at Madison Square Garden and Nassau Coliseum in which Paul was the headliner.
It was inevitable that Hollywood would come calling, and Paul signed to star opposite Mark Wahlberg in an action movie called Double Fist. He was poised to become a major action star when tragedy struck – he was injured by a drunk driver and came close to losing his life. Doctors told him he would have to give up martial arts and perhaps would never walk again, but Paul triumphed over tragedy and through indomitable will and drive, regained his strength. He returned to teaching while pursuing an acting career. He turned Double Fist into a TV series, and has enjoyed credits on Law And Order and The Four Of Us, while starring in and producing the feature film Bound By Debt, represented for international sales by Arthur Schweitzer and Cinevest Interactive.
Teamed with iconic writer/director John Gallagher and an all-star cast, Paul will step up to the next level of his acting career with his starring role in The Last Hero. He is also working on a project called “Justified Vengeance,” recently featured in Variety.
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