LARA CELENZA

FILM DIRECTOR + SCREENWRITER



CLICK ON THE PREVIEWS TO READ THE FULL ARTICLES



REFLECTING BACK ON THE OWL


Language: English

My time at The Owl was one of the most rewarding creative experiences I’ve ever had. The mentorship, feedback, and sense of community were invaluable - and the process helped me connect more deeply with my own story and voice as a filmmaker.

Pitching Malanoctem in Athens was both grounding and transformative. I came away with a clearer understanding of the project’s emotional core, and with new confidence in sharing my work. What I also loved most was the atmosphere of generosity - every session felt like a true creative exchange, filled with passion and purpose.



THE OWL SCREENWRITING WORKSHOP


Language: English

I’m deeply grateful to share that Malanoctem has reached the final stage of its journey with The Owl – Athens Film Office. Thanks to this program, I’ve had the chance to grow as a storyteller: learning from the invaluable mentorship of Scott Myers, connecting with extraordinary people, and discovering a new love for the Greek language, culture, and the city of Athens. This pitching session marks the conclusion of an inspiring chapter, and a reminder of why I believe in the transformative power of stories—their ability to bridge cultures, ignite imagination, and connect us in unexpected ways.


THE OWL SCREENWRITING WORKSHOP



Language: English

I’m super stoked to share that I’ll be part of The OWL Screenwriting Workshop this October, hosted by the City of Athens & Athens Film Office. Each year, The OWL trains 10 professional screenwriters with audience-driven scripts for the international market, helping them develop a film or TV series that could take their careers global. My latest screenplay, Malanoctem, delves into the eerie, the supernatural, and an ancient, chilling legend from my native region of Abruzzo, Italy. The OWL workshop is the perfect place to fine-tune it and prepare it for the international stage. My gratitude goes to the City of Athens & Athens Film Office for giving me this fantastic opportunity to grow both professionally and artistically.



5 THINGS I WISH SOMEONE TOLD ME WHEN I FIRST BECAME A FILMMAKER



Language: English

I'm honored to be featured in Authority Magazine, interviewed by Susan Johnston. In the article "5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I First Became A Filmmaker," I discuss the challenges and triumphs of my filmmaking career.



DISTINCTLY INDEPENDENT FELLOWSHIP 2024



Language: English

I am delighted to announce that I have won the Distinctly Independent Fellowship at Writers Boot Camp. My gratitude goes out to Jeffrey Gordon and Brad Miller. I am looking forward to honing my screenwriting skills!



VIDEO PODCAST ABOUT "LOST IN THE CITY"



Language: Italian

A chat with Italian journalist Giuseppe Ritucci about my debut feature "Lost in the City".

Fun facts: these guys are from my hometown, and yes - I am wearing a Xmas jumper. :-)



LARA'S FAVORITE INTERVIEW



It is not every day that a journalist, blogger or film critic really takes the time to properly get to know you, see you and celebrate your depth with thoroughness and understanding. But luckily for me, this is one of these precious days. I am happy to share with you this wonderful interview written by Joe Montague for Riveting Riffs Magazine, in which I discuss my personal journey, my movies “Falcong” and “Lost in the City”, my core values and my creative process in detail.



AN ARTICLE ABOUT SCREENWRITING



​Some people question the role of storytellers – and their marketability – in the difficult times we’re currently facing, but I don’t. One thing humanity has always been a sucker for is a good story well told. It was already so in our distant past, when the whole tribe would gather around the fire to listen to the legends of our ancestors and the forces that created the universe, and it will always be this way. So it might just be the perfect time for you to enroll on that creative writing course you’ve been wanting to try for so long!



INTERVIEW BY PETER DE KUSTER



​What is my greatest achievement in work?

I came from nothing and I built everything from scratch. Very few people in the film industry can relate. Privilege is a powerful factor and I had to go all my life without it. I know what it’s like to have a real job and I can truly understand what most people are facing and feeling. As a filmmaker, this gives me a unique perspective. Maybe it’s a different kind of privilege?



‘LOST IN THE CITY’ – FILM O ŽIVOTU BESKUĆNIKA NA ULICAMA BERLINA



Language: Croatian

“Lost in the City je u suštini studija karaktera. Prije nekog vremena, Alex van Ric (glavni glumac) prišao mi je s nekim bilješkama koje je napisao. Radilo se o čovjeku koji je izgubio sve što mu je bilo drago, provodio je vrijeme sam, buntovan, pijući i razmišljajući o smislu svog postojanja. Zaintrigirala me ideja i znala sam da Alex ima ludi talent i duh da ga gurne u ekstremne dubine – tamne koliko je potrebno- pa sam razvila njegovu početnu skicu u cjeloviti scenarij o beskućniku koji luta ulicama Berlina, pokušavajući preživjeti i vratiti svoj identitet”- ispričala je Lara Celenza.



LARA CELENZA



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