Aurelio De Laurentiis announces the winner of the NIAF/De Laurentiis Film Prizes Program at NIAF’s 50th Anniversary Gala!
During NIAF’s 50th Anniversary Gala Weekend in Washington, D.C., NIAF screened the five finalist films: A Slice of the Family Business by Stefano Da Fre, Ciao Sommer by Jeffrey Santoro, Pomodoro by Adriana Serrato, Mamma, That’s All Right by Valentina Signorelli, and Chainstitch by Nina Slesinger. Each film explored heritage, tradition, and creativity through powerful storytelling.
At NIAF’s 50th Anniversary Gala dinner Italian film producer Aurelio De Laurentiis announced Adriana Serrato’s Pomodoro as the winner of the 2025 NIAF/De Laurentiis Film Prize during the Gala Dinner.
Congratulations to Adriana Serrato and to all of this year’s talented filmmakers for their exceptional work.
Last night Pomodoro was selected as the winner for the NIAF Aurelio De Laurentiis Film Prize during the NIAF 50th Gala Anniversary. It was incredible to have been part of the 5 finalist of the grant and to compete with such talented filmmakers. I’m so lucky I got to attend and be there to receive the award. Thank you Aurelio De Laurentiis and NIAF for this opportunity. Bringing a part of my Italian American heritage to life in film was an honor and a privilege. Thank you to all who were involved, this would not have been possible without you all! Cannot wait to share Pomodoro with you all 🍅
@niafitalianamerican
Excited to share and announce that our short film Pomodoro premieres this Saturday at the NIAF 50th anniversary DC Gala. 🍅 If you are in DC stop by our screening! The screening is free and open to all. Cannot wait to share more fun news about Pomodoro! Thank you to my entire team for bringing this little story of mine to life ❤️🤌🏻
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Cast:
Tony Amendola @tmamendola1
Kayla Anjali @kkayla_anjali
Olivia Simone @livsimone
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Crew :
Producer: Don Ohmer @donohmerremhonod
Executive Director: Nanette Miller @nanette_lee13
Director & DP: 🙋♀️
Casting Director: Tineka Becker @tinekabecker
Camera Operator: Elisa Souza @elisasouzac
1st AC: Laisa Santos @laisams
Gaffer: Matt Figueroa @mattfig73
Grip: Matt Gibson @gibson_48
Production Designer: Josie Bellerby @josiejoybellerby
Food stylist: Jake Harbour @jharbour
Hair and Make Up: Mandy Mossman @mandymossmanmakeup
Sound: Eric Han @lalalandinla
Production Assistants: J Izon, Gabe Cruz, Annie Fleisch @izon_the_prize@gabecruzin@anniefleisch
Editor: Erik Vogt-Nilsen @erikvogtnilsen
Post Sound: Reid Andersen @_raandersen_
Composer: Raashi Kulkarni @raashikulkarni
Music by: Frank Moyo @frankmoyomusic
Colorist: Enrico Targetti @enrico_targetti
Three months of work and it was worth it ❤️ The little buttons are from home sweet home 🇨🇭It feels good wearing something you made from scratch and poured so much energy and love into.
Lovely pattern from @petiteknit ☺️
Thank you @adrianalserrato for the beautiful photos taken during your experience at Alfredo’s fresh pasta masterclass ✨
This post is dedicated to you and your art.
Cinema in Your Pocket.
In this new Creative Olives episode, we talk with Bianca & Chris: the duo behind the online sci-fi series CAVE WOMAN. Puppets, practical FX, worldbuilding for socials, even Jonathan Frakes as narrator (!!).
Big vision, 90 seconds at a time.
Watch it here:
@cavewoman.shorts
💡 If you’ve ever wondered how to build worlds for the digital age while keeping it tactile, funny, and human — this one’s for you.
✨ Listen now & tell us in the comments:
👉 What’s YOUR favorite practical effect in any movie or show — and why does it still hold up?
#creativeolives #cavewoman #practicaleffects #puppets #indiefilm #worldbuilding #filmmakingtips #shortformstorytelling #sci-fi #jonathanfrakes #directorlife #producerlife
🎥 What’s it like to work on one of the most groundbreaking films of the year, Sinners, with Ryan Coogler & Autumn Durald Arkapaw?
We had the absolute honor of talking to camera utility Laresheya “Lala” Robertson on this week’s episode of Creative Olives — and we’re still buzzing. 💛
Lala shared so much heart, humor, and behind-the-scenes gold:
✨ How she broke into film
📸 What it was like to be mentored by Autumn and join Local 600
🎞️ Loading IMAX film mags
🎬 Working on that juke joint scene
🐊 And surviving heat, bugs, and gators in Louisiana
She’s living proof that kindness, hustle, and showing up with love does open doors.
🎙️ Adriana and I are so grateful to have had Laresheya on the podcast: we’re passionate about spotlighting creatives whose roles might often go unnoticed because these are the people who quietly shape the magic we see on screen.
Big s/o to @carly_leday for introducing us with Lala.
🎧 Link in bio to listen to the whole episode + tag a friend who needs this inspo.
#CreativeOlives #Sinners #CameraDepartment #WomenInFilm #SetLife #IMAX #FilmmakingPodcast #RyanCoogler #AutumnDurald #Cinematography #FilmCrewLife #BehindTheScenes #CameraUtility #Local600 #sinnersfilm #BTSFilm #behindthescenes
🇮🇹 those dinner night’s with friends hit different 🫒
As a Mediterranean, this feast spoke to my heart ❤️
With a table full of filmmakers from different backgrounds only good vibes can emerge
S/O to our incredible hosts, Adriana and Don!
So grateful to have such a beautiful chosen family here in LA. ✨
#ItalianNight 🇮🇹
#MediterraneanVibes 🫒
#DinnerWithFriends
#FilmmakersLife
#CreativeCommunity
#LAStories
#FoodAndFilm
#GratefulHeart ❤️
#ChosenFamily
#GoodVibesOnly ✨#italian #italy #italianfood #friends #dinner #filmmaker #vibes
