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Make Me Italian

Prem1ere Film (Milan, Italy) is proud to represent MAKE ME ITALIAN for international festival distribution—an award-winning, ambitious, hilarious short film that has captivated audiences across three continents with 12 festival selections and an Ensemble Cast Award win at Italian Comedy Fest Hollywood 2025.

"There are so many great scenes and shots throughout the film. It was beautifully shot and acted and told an overall nice Italian story." — Dances with Films

FILM SYNOPSIS
David Mangano arrives at the Italian consulate with all his paperwork perfectly organized. He's ready to get his Italian citizenship recognized. How hard can it be?

What follows is a surreal, comedic journey through bureaucratic obstacles, cultural tests, and fantastical adventures as David must prove his "Italianness" to Pietro, a meticulous consulate employee. Shot in two languages across four distinct film genres, with three cinematic fantasy sequences and a pop-punk music video of the Italian National Anthem, this is unlike any short film you've seen.
A surprise hidden in the consulate changes the course of everything.

AUDIENCE REACTION:
"Your film went down extremely well. The cultural references were picked up on and honestly our audience didn't stop laughing or enjoying themselves. It's a triumph, what you have achieved. People thoroughly enjoyed the whole thing. I whole heartedly expect to see you getting into a lot of festivals and doing very well on the circuit."
— Ed Greenberg, Festival Director, Lytham International Film Festival

CRITICAL ACCLAIM:
-"I would describe it as a surreal comedy about cultural identity. It's like the Wes Anderson version of Fellini's 8½."— Louis Mendiola
-"A look at Italian culture as viewed through our Italian American eyes. Do we Italian Americans add up in the eyes of 'real' Italians?" — Peter Avanzino, Animation Director, Futurama
-"Delightful characters and performances" — Greg Björkman (Press Play)
-"So high end, funny... Made me miss Italy" — Bradly Hasse (Songs for a Sloth)

FESTIVAL PERFORMANCE:

13 selections across UK, Italy, Spain, Morocco, USA
Multiple regional premieres (World, Italian, Sicilian, Campania, Puglia, Piemonte, African, Spanish)
Special Closing Night Screening at Comedy Film Fest Puglia

WHAT MAKES IT UNIQUE
Technically Ambitious:

-Shot on Panavision DXL2 with Primo Lenses (camera package: $750,000)
-Panavision New Filmmakers Grant recipient
-Crew of 53 professionals
-2 languages (English/Italian)
-4 film genres seamlessly integrated
-3 fantasy sequences paying homage to Antonioni, Sergio Leone, Scorsese
-Original pop-punk Italian National Anthem performed by Italian actress Nadia Lanfranconi

Culturally Authentic:

Every Italian character played by Italian-born actors
Cultural consultation from Italian consulate member
Regional authenticity vetted through multiple table reads
Inspired by true story of director's Italian citizenship journey
Winner: Ensemble Cast Award - Italian Comedy Fest Hollywood 2025 "For their exceptional collaboration, comedic timing, and spirited portrayal that both playfully embraces and lovingly celebrates Italian culture."

Production Pedigree:

-Producer: Courtney Tait (Apple TV+'s The Sky is Everywhere, Netflix's Do Revenge)
-DP: Justin Kemper (Disney+'s WandaVision)
-Editor: Jeff Asher (CBS's Tracker, Fox's Lethal Weapon)
-Colored by Light Iron Hollywood

FESTIVAL PROGRAMMER BENEFITS
Why Program This Film:

Audience Pleaser - Consistent positive feedback across diverse audiences
Conversation Starter - Universal themes of identity resonate across cultures
Visual Spectacle - High production values rival feature films
Cultural Relevance - Italian Heritage Month (October) programming
Press-Worthy - True story angle + ambitious production = media interest
Community Appeal - Strong Italian/Italian-American diaspora support
Genre Versatility - Works in comedy, cultural, and narrative short blocks

  • Bryan Mazzarello
    Director
  • Courtney Tait
    Producer
    The Sky is Everywhere, Pivoting, The Curse, Light As A Feather, Quasi
  • Bryan Mazzarello
    Writer
    Friends Like Family, What Will Jenny Do
  • Stephanie Mazzarello
    Writer
    Friends Like Family, What Will Jenny Do
  • Bryan Mazzarello
    Key Cast
    "David Mangano"
    Hardwood Heroes, Murph's Concerto, Hollywood Prayer and Support
  • Luca della Valle
    Key Cast
    "Bryan Mazzarello"
    Sebastian, Eridiati: A Different Type of Vampire, Distant Vision
  • Nadia Lanfranconi
    Key Cast
    "Francesca"
    The Kominsky Method, American Gigolo, Criminal Minds, Italian Neighbors
  • Ross Turner
    Key Cast
    "Vincenzo"
    Th1rteen R3asons Why, Manifest West, General Hospital
  • Justin Kemper
    Cinematographer
    American Born Chinese, The Sky is Everywhere
  • Jeff Asher
    Editor
    Tracker, Big Sky, Prodigal Son, Lethal Weapon
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Comedy
  • Runtime:
    19 minutes 43 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    March 29, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    42,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English, Italian
  • Shooting Format:
    Panavision DXL2
  • Aspect Ratio:
    1.89
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Lytham International Film Festival
    Lytham Saint Annes
    United Kingdom
    August 25, 2024
    World Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Ferrara Film Festival
    Ferrara
    Italy
    September 27, 2024
    Italian Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Catania Film Fest
    Catania
    Italy
    November 16, 2024
    Sicilian Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Humor en Corto
    Arrigorriaga (Bizkaia)
    Spain
    November 16, 2024
    Spanish Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Los Angeles Comedy Film Festival
    Los Angeles
    United States
    February 19, 2025
    Official Selection
  • Los Angeles, Italia - Film, Fashion and Festival
    Los Angeles
    United States
    February 26, 2025
    Official Selection
  • Rabat Comedy Film Festival
    Rabat
    Morocco
    June 16, 2025
    African Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Ischia Global Film Festival
    Ischia
    Italy
    July 13, 2025
    Campania Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Comedy Film Fest Puglia
    Taranto
    Italy
    July 20, 2025
    Puglia Premiere
    Special Screening on Closing Night
  • Italian Comedy Festival - Napoli
    Naples
    Italy
    October 5, 2025
    Naples Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Italian Comedy Festival - Hollywood
    Hollywood
    United States
    October 7, 2025
    Hollywood Premiere
    Cast Ensemble Award
  • PIFF - Pinerolo International Film Festival
    Pinerolo
    Italy
    October 15, 2025
    Piemonte Primiere
    Official Selection
  • Foggia Film Festival
    Foggia
    Italy
    November 18, 2025
    Foggia Premiere
    Sezione Fuori Concorso
Distribution Information
  • WeShort
    Distributor
    Country: Worldwide
Director Biography - Bryan Mazzarello

Bryan Mazzarello is a Bay Area born, LA based, SAG-AFTRA actor, screenwriter and director. He is a recipient of the Panavision New Filmmaker Grant Program.

He has trained in improv comedy with Upright Citizen Brigade, sitcom comedy with Actors Comedy Studio and drama with Howard Fine Acting Studio in Hollywood.

He is most known for being transformed into Bob Ross for the award winning AdAge Content Campaign of the Year by an Emmy winning makeup team for a Mountain Dew. Bryan is also the host of the 23andMe welcome series.

After a life changing backpacking trip to Italy, Bryan changed his last name back to Mazzarello from the Americanized name Marell in 2002 and he received his dual citizenship recognition from Italy in 2016. Bryan serves on the board of Fondazione Italia, an Italian language school and The Tony Gaudio Foundation for the Cinematic Arts.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

I am drawn to comedic, fantasy and sci-fi films that explore the concepts of connection and belonging. Both this film and the process of making it were dependent on people being drawn together for a common passion.

In a time where divisions are highlighted over unity, I believe that we have a
need for narratives that celebrate what it means to be a part of a culture and community. As we understand our personal heritage and histories, we are better able to empathize with others and their journeys of discovery and belonging.

Humor is a beautiful tool to open up our minds to new ideas. It breaks down the partitions that we allow to separate us, and we can laugh in unity together. If I can spark that feeling of human connection through laughter, then I have done my job as a storyteller. And hopefully viewers will grab a cup of pistachio gelato to share with a new friend while discussing their favorite Italian films. Che bello!