What is the best thing that I love about my work?
What I love most about my work is the possibility of telling stories and discovering the extraordinary complexity of human beings. Over the years, as a journalist, filmmaker, video artist and curator, I have learned that everyone carries an important story worth telling. I am deeply fascinated by the power of transforming personal experiences into something universal, creating connections between people, cultures and disciplines. Through images, sounds and performances, I try to give visual form to emotions, memories and feelings that are often difficult to express with words alone. I also love building spaces for encounter and exchange, such as Ibrida Festival, where artists and audiences can come together, share experiences and imagine new possibilities. Another aspect that excites me is the opportunity to explore an infinite variety of languages, constantly moving between cinema, video art, performance, new media and emerging technologies. For me, creativity is both a journey of discovery and a way of understanding the world and my place within it.
What is my idea of happiness?
My idea of happiness is closely connected to freedom: the freedom to express myself creatively and to remain curious about the world. I feel happiest when I am creating something meaningful, whether it is a film, a video artwork, an exhibition or simply a conversation that opens new perspectives. Happiness, for me, is never a solitary experience. I believe in creating together, involving others and building communities where people can meet, exchange ideas and grow collectively. Traveling is also an essential part of my happiness. Discovering new places, cultures and ways of living constantly inspires me and expands my understanding of humanity. But above all, happiness means being able to spend as much time as possible with the people I love. In the end, the moments I treasure most are those where creativity, human connection and a sense of discovery come together.
What is my greatest fear?
My greatest fear is not failure itself, but not fully realizing the creative possibilities that life has offered me. I have many projects, dreams and stories that I feel compelled to bring into the world, and I am aware that time is finite. I fear looking back one day and realizing that fear, hesitation or everyday obligations prevented me from creating the work I was meant to create. I am also afraid of not giving my best when an important opportunity arises. Every meaningful project carries a responsibility: towards oneself, towards others and towards the stories that deserve to be told. At the same time, this fear is also what drives me. It constantly reminds me to remain courageous, curious and committed to my artistic journey.
What is the trait that I most deplore in myself?
The traits I struggle with the most are impatience and being overly self-critical. I often set very high standards for myself and can be harder on myself than on anyone else. Because I am passionate about my work and involved in many projects, I sometimes feel frustrated when things do not move as quickly as I would like. Another tendency I am trying to overcome is wanting to do everything myself instead of delegating. I care deeply about the projects I create, which can make it difficult to let go and trust others completely. However, over the years I have learned that collaboration is essential and that sharing responsibilities can make both the creative process and life richer. I am still working on these aspects of myself, and perhaps that journey of growth will never really end.
Which living persons in my profession do i most admire?
There are many living artists and filmmakers whose work I deeply admire. Marina Abramović’s radical exploration of the body, presence and vulnerability has profoundly influenced my understanding of art. I greatly admire Pipilotti Rist for her immersive and sensorial visual universes, and Werner Herzog for his fearless approach to filmmaking and his relentless search for human truth. Greta Gerwig inspires me through her ability to tell intimate and deeply human stories with intelligence, sensitivity and a strong female perspective. I also deeply admire Sofia Coppola and Jane Campion for their unique cinematic voices and their ability to portray complex emotional landscapes and female experiences with great sensitivity and poetic depth. Shirin Neshat’s work has deeply influenced my reflections on identity, exile and belonging. Finally, I am fascinated by Refik Anadol’s pioneering exploration of artificial intelligence and data as artistic material. What all these artists share is the courage to create deeply personal work while speaking about universal aspects of the human experience.
What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work?
The part of my work that I enjoy less is bureaucracy: filling out endless documents, dealing with administrative procedures and spending long hours studying funding calls and regulations. As an independent artist and curator, these tasks are unavoidable and often require a significant amount of time and energy. In the beginning, I found them particularly challenging. However, over the years, experience has taught me how to navigate these processes, and I have gradually become quite skilled at them. I now see them as necessary tools that make ambitious projects possible. Still, whenever I have to choose between paperwork and creating, I will always choose the creative process. That is where I feel most alive.
When and where was I the happiest, in my work?
I am happiest in my work when I enter a state of creative flow, when time seems to stop and I become completely immersed in the process of creating. These moments can happen while making a film, developing a video artwork, curating an exhibition or imagining a new project. I also feel deeply energized when I begin new and inspiring collaborations, meeting people who challenge my perspective and open unexpected creative paths. In my work as a intervewer, happiness comes from discovering new stories and interviewing people whose experiences, ideas and passions inspire me. I have always been fascinated by human beings and their stories. Whether through journalism or art, the moments that bring me the greatest joy are those in which I can connect with others, learn something new and transform those encounters into meaningful narratives.
If I could, what would I change about myself?
If I could change something about myself, I would probably be kinder and more patient with myself. I often feel an urgency to create, to learn and to accomplish new things. This inner drive constantly pushes me forward, while sometimes I wish I could slow down and simply allow things to unfold in their own time. I tend to focus on what still needs to be done rather than celebrating what has already been achieved. Over the years, I have learned that creativity cannot always be rushed and that every project has its own rhythm. I would like to trust this process more and live with less anxiety about time. At the same time, I know that this restless energy is also one of the forces that drives my work and keeps me curious about life. So perhaps I would not change it completely, but simply learn to embrace it with greater serenity.
It is difficult to identify a single achievement, because my professional journey has taken many different forms, from journalism to filmmaking, video art and curating. One of my greatest achievements has been co-founding and developing Ibrida Festival, an international festival dedicated to moving image and interdisciplinary arts. What began as a small independent initiative has grown into an internationally recognized event, creating opportunities for artists, audiences and cultural exchange. Another important milestone was receiving the Cosua Prize for Video Art for my work Androgynous ( along with Davide Mastragelo) , a recognition that encouraged me to continue pursuing my artistic path. More broadly, I consider my greatest achievement to be having built a life centered around creativity while continuously moving between different cultures, disciplines and professional roles. Throughout the years, I have never stopped reinventing myself, learning and creating. The possibility of connecting people, stories and artistic languages, while remaining faithful to my own vision, is something I am deeply proud of.
Where would I most like to live?
This is a difficult question because I have always lived between countries, cultures and languages. I was born in Italy and grew up in Brazil, in São Paulo, a city that has profoundly shaped my identity and imagination. Throughout my life, I have also lived in several other cities, including London, Wilmington in North Carolina and Milan. Today, I live in Forlì, Italy, but I travel frequently to São Paulo, where my parents still live and where an important part of my personal history remains. Ideally, I would like to live between Italy and Brazil, moving freely from one country to the other. At the same time, I have always been attracted to places that are culturally vibrant and diverse. I would love to spend some time living in New York, a city that has fascinated and inspired me for many years. I am also deeply curious about Asia and would love to experience living there for a period of my life. More than a specific place, I am drawn to environments where creativity can flourish, where different cultures meet and where new stories can emerge.
What is my most treasured possession?
My most treasured possessions are, first and foremost, my relationships: the bond with my husband, my family and my close friends. Human connections have always been at the center of both my life and my work. They give meaning to everything I do and remind me of what truly matters. I also deeply cherish my personal archive: family photographs, home videos, letters, and the countless images and recordings I have collected throughout my life. These materials are much more than documents of the past. They are traces of the people I love, fragments of memory and a bridge between Italy and Brazil, the two countries that have shaped my identity. As an artist and filmmaker, I often return to these archives, transforming personal memories into stories that can resonate with others. In many ways, my relationships and the memories they generate are my greatest treasures and an endless source of inspiration.
What is my most marked characteristic?
I believe that curiosity and perseverance are my most marked characteristics. I have always been driven by a deep desire to understand people, explore new ideas and discover different ways of seeing the world. This curiosity has led me to live in different countries, work in various fields and continuously reinvent myself throughout my life. It is the force that brought me to journalism, filmmaking, video art and curating. At the same time, perseverance has allowed me to continue pursuing my creative path despite difficulties, uncertainties and obstacles. I have learned that building a meaningful artistic life requires patience, resilience and a willingness to start over many times. Curiosity opens new doors, while perseverance gives me the strength to walk through them. Together, they continue to guide both my personal journey and my creative practice.
What is my most inspirational location, in my city?
Since I have always lived between Italy and Brazil, I feel that I have two cities and, consequently, two places that inspire me deeply. In Forlì, the place that has most shaped my imagination is the Rocca di Caterina. Since childhood, this fortress has fascinated me with its history and, in particular, with the figure of Caterina Sforza, a strong and courageous woman whose story continues to inspire me. The Rocca has always represented, for me, a place where history, memory and imagination meet. In São Paulo, my most inspirational place is Avenida Paulista, the vibrant heart of the city. It was close to my school, and I spent many years walking through it. Avenida Paulista is home to MASP, one of Brazil’s most important museums, but it is also much more than that: it is a place where art, culture, politics and everyday life constantly intersect. It embodies the energy, diversity and creative vitality that have profoundly shaped who I am.
What is my favorite place to eat and drink, in my city?
Choosing a favorite place to eat and drink is not easy because both Romagna and São Paulo offer extraordinary culinary experiences. In Forlì, and more generally in Romagna, food is an essential part of local culture, and it is difficult to find a place that is not good. However, one restaurant I particularly love is Osteria Nascosta, a small and intimate place housed in a former butcher’s shop. It has only a few tables, and the menu is handwritten every day according to the seasonal ingredients available. I appreciate its authenticity, simplicity and the care devoted to each dish. São Paulo, on the other hand, is considered the gastronomic capital of Brazil, a city shaped by countless cultural influences and culinary traditions from all over the world. Among the many wonderful restaurants in the city, my favorite is Figueira Rubaiyat, built around a magnificent century-old fig tree. Dining there is not only a gastronomic experience but also an aesthetic and emotional one, surrounded by nature in the heart of one of the world’s largest cities.
What books influenced my life and how?
Several books have profoundly influenced my life. James Hillman’s The Soul’s Code introduced me to the idea that each person carries a unique vocation that needs to be discovered and fulfilled. The myth of Eros and Psyche has been fundamental because I believe it reveals profound aspects of female psychology and transformation. Macunaíma by Brazilian writer Mário de Andrade deeply influenced me through its exploration of identity, cultural hybridity and the complexity of Brazilian society. Michel Foucault’s The Will to Knowledge opened new perspectives on power, identity and society. Poetry has also been important to me, especially William Ernest Henley’s Invictus, whose message of resilience has accompanied me through many challenges. Finally, Hermann Hesse’s Siddhartha has inspired me with its timeless reflection on self-discovery, wisdom and the search for meaning beyond conventional paths.
You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day?
I would listen to One by U2. This song has accompanied me through different moments of my life and still moves me deeply. I love its emotional depth and the way it speaks about love, fragility and human connection. Its message feels both intimate and universal, reminding me that, despite our differences, we are all profoundly interconnected.
Who is my hero or heroine in fiction?
I do not have a single hero or heroine in fiction. I am more attracted to complex, imperfect and evolving characters than to traditional heroes. I am fascinated by figures who struggle, transform and search for meaning, because they reflect the complexity of real life.
Who are my heroes and heroines in real life?
It is almost impossible for me to choose just one film because cinema has been a fundamental part of my life. If I had to recommend a few films to see at least once in a lifetime, I would mention The Misfits by John Huston, Stalker by Andrei Tarkovsky and The Tree of Life by Terrence Malick for their profound reflections on existence, time and human fragility. I would also include generational films such as My Own Private Idaho by Gus Van Sant and Dead Poets Society by Peter Weir, because they continue to inspire new generations to seek beauty, freedom and authenticity. Among more recent films, I would add The Substance by Coralie Fargeat and Past Lives by Celine Song. These films remind us that cinema can transform the way we see ourselves and the world.
What role play stories in my life and work?
Stories are at the very center of both my life and my work. As a journalist, filmmaker and video artist, I have always been driven by a deep curiosity about people and their experiences. I believe that every person carries an important story worth telling. Stories help us make sense of who we are, where we come from and how we relate to others. Through storytelling, I try to transform personal memories and individual experiences into something universal, creating connections between people, cultures and generations. Stories allow us to preserve memory, foster empathy and imagine different futures. For me, telling stories is not just a profession; it is a way of understanding life itself.
What do the words ‘You are the storyteller of your own life’ to me?
The words “You are the storyteller of your own life” remind me that, although we cannot control everything that happens to us, we can choose how to give meaning to our experiences. Life is made of unexpected events, losses, encounters and transformations, but we are not merely passive spectators. Through the stories we tell ourselves and others, we constantly shape our identity. I believe that transforming experiences into narratives is also a way of understanding, preserving memory and sometimes even healing. To be the storyteller of my own life means taking responsibility for my choices, embracing change and continuing to reinvent myself while remaining faithful to who I am
Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime?
My greatest fan, sponsor and partner in crime is undoubtedly my husband, Davide Mastrangelo. We began creating video performances and video art together many years ago, and since then we have shared an extraordinary creative journey. He has supported me through successes, failures, doubts and new beginnings, always encouraging me to continue exploring and taking risks. Beyond being my life partner, he is also a trusted collaborator and a constant source of dialogue, ideas and inspiration.
Which people or companies would I like to work with?
I would love to collaborate with organizations and people who believe in bold, independent and interdisciplinary creativity. In cinema, I greatly admire companies such as A24 and NEON for their commitment to original and visionary storytelling. In the field of contemporary art, institutions such as Sharjah Art Foundation, Meet Digital Culture Center, Ars Electronica and SESC São Paulo represent inspiring places where art, technology and experimentation come together. Having worked in television, I would also welcome the opportunity to collaborate again with broadcasters such as TV Globo and Bandeirantes in Brazil, as well as La7 in Italy, on innovative documentaries and cultural projects. Finally, I would be honored to work with filmmakers like Sofia Coppola, whose cinematic language and sensitivity I deeply admire. I believe that meaningful collaborations are born from shared values, curiosity and the desire to create work that resonates beyond borders.
What project am I looking forward to work on?
At the moment, I am working on several projects that reflect the different aspects of my creative practice. I am writing the screenplay for my first feature film, Ashes (Cenere), a psychological drama that explores human relationships, desire and transformation. I am also developing a traveling performance that will unfold across different landscapes and countries, exploring themes of peace, memory and human connection. At the same time, I am curating a contemporary art exhibition dedicated to artists working with moving images and digital media. Beyond these projects, I have many ideas I hope to bring to life in the years ahead. For me, creativity is an endless journey of discovery, and I hope to keep telling stories in many different forms throughout my life.
Where can you see me or my work?
You can discover my work through different platforms that reflect the various aspects of my professional journey. My films and video art are available on my Vimeo channels at vimeo.com/francescaleoni and vimeo.com/leonimastrangelo. My work as a journalist and television presenter can be seen through the Innov-Azione. To learn more about my curatorial work and the international Ibrida Festival, visit ibridafestival.it. You can also explore my artistic projects and collaborations on leonimastrangelo.it, where many of my ongoing works and exhibitions are presented. I am always happy to connect with people who are passionate about storytelling, cinema, contemporary art and new media.
What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me?
To me, “Passion Never Retires” means that curiosity has no age. As long as we remain curious, willing to learn and open to new experiences, we never stop growing. I am in my fifties, yet I feel I am only at the beginning of many creative adventures. Every new project, every journey, every encounter and every story teaches me something new. I hope I will never lose the desire to experiment, to take risks and to reinvent myself. Passion is not something we leave behind with time; if we nurture it, it becomes the force that keeps us alive.
Which creative heroines should Peter invite to tell their story?
There are many remarkable women whose creative journeys deserve to be heard. I would love to read the stories of Chiara Passa, for her pioneering work in digital art; Aline Motta, whose research on memory, ancestry and identity deeply resonates with me; Debora Hirsch, for her thoughtful exploration of cultural identity and contemporary society; Laurina Paperina, whose ironic and irreverent artistic language is both playful and critical; and Silvia Camporesi, whose photographic work beautifully intertwines landscape, history and imagination. I believe their stories would inspire many others and offer different perspectives on what it means to be an artist today.
How can you contact me?
The best way to reach me is through Instagram, where I share my artistic research, ongoing projects and creative journey. You can find me at @franleoni and @franleoniart. You can also contact me by email at francescaleoni@yahoo.com. I always enjoy connecting with people who are passionate about storytelling, cinema, contemporary art and new media.
Thank you for reading my story.
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