Lorenzo Verticelli is an Italian film director, producer, actor, and screenwriter.
Born in 1991 in Giulianova, Abruzzo, Italy, he developed a deep passion for cinema, comics, and the fantasy genre from an early age. While studying Law at the University of Teramo, he began creating low-budget short films with his friends. However, his passion for filmmaking soon led him to leave university and pursue a full-time career as a director, attending courses in directing and acting to refine his skills.
In 2015, he founded his first independent production company, LoEP - Lord of Evil Productions.
A year later, he wrote, directed, produced, and starred in his first psychological thriller short film, Journey into the Mind, inspired by the movie Identity, which was released on YouTube in October 2018.
The turning point in his career came in 2017 with the creation of the Broken Soul saga, centered around the story of a former mercenary and chemistry professor hunted by a criminal organization. The first two short films in the series, Broken Soul - The Blackmail and Broken Soul II - The Redemption, won multiple awards at prestigious international film festivals, including Best Film Project at the Tuscany Web Fest 2017, Best Action Film at the Alternative Film Festival 2018, and Semifinalist at the Los Angeles Cine Fest 2018.
From January 2018 to November 2022, Lorenzo dedicated himself to the most ambitious project of his career: his first feature film, Broken Soul - The New World, the first Italian high fantasy film. He independently financed the project with his own resources, thanks to the invaluable support of his late mother and producer Walter Varani. In 2020, he co-founded Varver Pictures, an independent production company, together with Varani.
The film took three years to complete, from script development to post-production, and premiered in 2023 in international festivals, achieving remarkable success. It has won 48 awards and received 15 nominations in some of the most prestigious competitions worldwide.
The film was shot in breathtaking locations across Abruzzo, including the mountains and forests of the Gran Sasso, the plains of Campo Imperatore, the fortress of Civitella del Tronto, the city of Pescara, the medieval town of Faraone Antico, and many others. The project involved a cast and crew of over 60 people, showcasing meticulous attention to detail in every aspect of production.
The film's original soundtrack was composed by Giulio Esposito and performed by musicians from the Conservatory of Teramo, adding an evocative and immersive musical dimension. The post-production phase featured cutting-edge VFX techniques, executed by leading Italian studios such as Imago VFX and Event Horizon Torino, as well as artists from Escape Studios London-one of the institutions responsible for the visual effects of Harry Potter.
The editing was entrusted to Ivan Zuccon, a renowned editor who has collaborated with legendary Italian filmmaker Pupi Avati. Zuccon crafted a unique narrative rhythm, enhancing the film's dramatic impact.
Equally remarkable was the costume department, with costumes entirely handcrafted by skilled artisans, and the set design, which successfully brought to life the dark yet magical dreamlike atmosphere envisioned by Lorenzo.
Despite its remarkable success in the festival circuit, Broken Soul - The New World has yet to secure an official worldwide premiere, as the team is actively seeking the right distribution deal.
Lorenzo continues to explore new creative horizons, working on future projects that aim to push the boundaries of independent fantasy filmmaking in Italy. His passion, determination, and artistic vision make him one of the most promising emerging directors in the Italian film industry.