Jonas Carpignano began his formal education in film at Wesleyan University, graduating with honors in 2006 before advancing his studies at the New York University Tisch School of the Arts. He maintains dual citizenship in the United States and Italy, drawing from his upbringing in New York City and his extended stays in Rome where his paternal family resided.
Early Career and Short Films
Before transitioning to feature-length narratives, Carpignano wrote and directed several short films. His short work titled A Chjana received the best short film award at the Venice Film Festival. In 2014, his short film A Ciambra earned the Discovery Award during the Cannes Film Festival's Semaine De La Critique.
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In 2015, Carpignano released his first feature film, Mediterranea, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival's International Critics' Week. The project earned recognition from the National Board of Review as the best directorial debut of 2015 and placed on the organization's list of the top five foreign language films of the year. He also received the Bingham Ray Breakthrough Director Award at the IFP Gotham Awards and three Independent Spirit Award nominations.
A Ciambra and Critical Recognition
His second feature, A Ciambra, premiered in 2017 at the Director's Fortnight at the Cannes Film Festival and featured executive production from Martin Scorsese. The film won the Europa Labels prize for best European film and served as Italy's entry for the best foreign language film category at the Academy Awards. In 2018, it received seven nominations at the David di Donatello Awards, where Carpignano won the award for best director.
Recent Work
The third feature in his filmography, A Chiara, debuted in the 2021 Director's Fortnight at the Cannes Film Festival, securing his second Europa Labels prize for best European film. The production earned three nominations at the 2022 Film Independent Spirit Awards and six nominations at the David di Donatello Awards, where it won the award for best actress.
Fast facts
- Born: 1984, New York City
- Citizenship: United States, Italy
- Education: Wesleyan University, New York University Tisch School of the Arts
- Notable Awards: Guggenheim Fellowship (2016), David di Donatello for Best Director
- Filmography: Mediterranea, A Ciambra, A Chiara
Questions readers ask
What is Jonas Carpignano's primary professional focus?
He works as a film director, screenwriter, cinematographer, and producer.
Which film awards has he received?
His honors include a Guggenheim Fellowship, the David di Donatello for Best Director, and multiple Europa Labels prizes.
Achievements
- Bergen International Film Festival
- Cairo International Film Festival
- Worked as film director, screenwriter and film screenwriter
