Biography for
Bruno Pischiutta More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

15 February 1947, Udine, Italy

Height

5' 8" (1.73 m)

Mini Biography

Internationally celebrated writer, director and producer, Bruno Pischiutta is known for his lifelong commitment to fostering the art of filmmaking. He established his career in his native Italy when, in 1975, he founded and directed Rome's Centro Iniziative Di Azione Culturale, the nation's only alternative school for theatre and film. He is known for his high quality film production skills and specifically noted for his politically and socially oriented feature films.

Born in Udine, Italy in 1947, Pischiutta began his film career in the late 1960s as an actor in films by Francesco Rosi, Nanni Loy and Billy Wilder. Pischiutta graduated from the Institute of Dramatic Art, Trieste, Italy (1966); he is a Dr. of Philosophy graduated from the University of Trieste, Italy (1971) and International Academician appointed by Istituto Universitario di Studi Superiori di Pavia, Italy (1981).

He went on to direct his first feature film, Compagne nude (1977). The film's subject matter generated nation-wide headline controversy as it began screening theatrically.

He followed in the success and controversy with critically acclaimed and theatrically released films such as Isola meccanica (1978) and Ultimo incontro a Venezia (1980).

He moved to Canada in 1983 following the success of an yet again critically acclaimed feature film The Comoedia (1981).

Bruno wrote, directed, produced, executive produced and edited feature films, TV shows and documentaries that were widely screened in cinemas and broadcast throughout Italy and other European countries.

Maestro Pischiutta is also a published writer of two books ('The Comoedia' 1980; 'E va bene parliamo di cinema' 1982) and of recognized courses for filmmakers (directing, writing, editing and acting) in Italy.

In Rome, Pischiutta was awarded the Premio Simpatia in 1976. At that time, Franco Zeffirelli and Federico Fellini were the only two directors to achieve this distinction.

Other awards include: Italian Film Critics Award at the Venice Film Festival (1972); A.M. Scheible (1978) and One Million Lire (1979) - Awarded by the Belle Arti Di Roma for the organization of suburban youth cultural activities related to film & theatre.

In 1981, Bruno was awarded the Bronze Medal at the prestigious New York International Film & TV Festival for his highly celebrated film, The Comoedia (1981) - Pischiutta shot most of the film on location in New York City.

Following his move to North America, Bruno continued to write, produce and direct films. He wrote and directed Shopping Centre (1983-1984), five half-hour television dramas and one TV movie Bounty Hunters (1985), broadcast nation-wide and abroad. He also produced and directed La Piazzetta (1985-1986), twelve half-hour musicals for Italian PAY-TV. This work led to the production of two half-hour weekly shows entitled Telemoda and La Vetrina Del Successo, which aired on MTV Channel 47 in Toronto from 1985 to 1986.

In 1986, he opened his first Canadian Film Film Production Company. He went on to write, direct and produce Life's Charade (1987) (TV), a feature film about teen-age suicide, which received the Finalist Award at the New York International Film & TV Festival. Other films Bruno directed are The Telegram (1988-1989) and The Glassblower (1990-1991).

In 1996 Bruno opened the production company Toronto Pictures. While managing the company, he continued to produce and direct films such as Dead Love (1997) (TV) and Maybe (2003) today available on DVD on Amazon.com. In 2003, Bruno Pischiutta was awarded The Visionary in Film Award at the Bahamas One World Film Festival for his film Maybe (2003).

In carrying forward with his vision for a diaspora of global film schools to engender professional cinematography, in May 2005, Pischiutta founded the Toronto Pictures Film Academy of Ghana, the first such institution in West Africa.

Bruno's latest project which he directed, produced, edited and co-wrote is the feature film Punctured Hope: A Story About Trokosi and the Young Girls' Slavery in Today's West Africa (2009). The film raises global awareness regarding West Africa's long-exercised religious and cultural practice of Trokosi, the enslavement and genital mutilation of young girls and women. Punctured Hope: A Story About Trokosi and the Young Girls' Slavery in Today's West Africa (2009) was an Official Selection at the Montreal Film Festival (2009) -World Film Festival (Montreal). The film is qualified (2009) for nomination consideration by the Academy Awards; for 'Best Picture'.

In December 2009, Pischiutta was nominated by The Political Film Society (Hollywood) for his film Punctured Hope: A Story About Trokosi and the Young Girls' Slavery in Today's West Africa (2009) ('Best Expose' and 'Best Film on Human Rights' of 2009). The Political Film Society was formed in 1986 to honor outstanding films that raise the political consciousness of the film viewing public and to recognize outstanding achievement in raising political consciousness. Courageous film directors are given awards as a way of encouraging the film industry to make the public more aware of political realities. Punctured Hope: A Story About Trokosi and the Young Girls' Slavery in Today's West Africa (2009) is scheduled for a Toronto Pictures' commercial theatrical release in 2010 starting in New York City.

Bruno is also the Producer and Executive Producer of the films The Comoedia: The English Version (2009) and Filming Africa (2010).

Bruno Pischiutta is the President and C.E.O. of Toronto Pictures, Inc. (public company in the USA) and Chairman of the Toronto Pictures Film Academy of Ghana. Bruno Pischiutta is a 'Celebrity Ambassador' for Humanity Healing Foundation (USA).

IMDb Mini Biography By: PR

Spouse

Olga Cechova

(? - present) 1 child

Salary

Maybe (2003)

$500,000