GBOpera - Interview with Maximilien Seren-Piccinni

LEGGI QUI

GBOPERA, one of the most widely read trade magazine, interviewed director Maximilien Seren-Piccinni, in occasion of the nomination as best short film of his Orfeo at the David di Donatello Awards 2026.

In the long interview, Seren-Piccinni spoke with editor-in-chief Giorgio Bagnoli about aspects of his personality that are reflected in his artistic vision, starting with his maternal descent from Niccolò Piccinni and his father’s profession as a producer of major motion pictures.

“I grew up in a family environment permeated by the arts. My mother descends from Niccolò Piccinni, the celebrated 18th-century composer, and his figure—with his portrait dominating my grandparents’ living room next to the piano, where everyone studied—has been a constant presence in my life. Music has always been part of my daily life, just as cinema has, thanks to my father, producer of several films by director Franco Zeffirelli. The choice of a career that combined theatre and cinema came to me naturally, without any particular family pressure. I must say, however, that Franco was the first to glimpse signs of my potential.”

The conversation weaves through memorable encounters, such as those with Sandra Milo, Franco Zeffirelli, Mario Monicelli, Franca Valeri, Paolo Villaggio, Quentin Tarantino, Kate Winslet, Joan Collins, Sophia Loren, Plácido Domingo, Riccardo Muti, Katia Ricciarelli and Fabio Testi, as well as his experience as Founder and Artistic Director of the Garda Festival:

“The greatest challenge I have faced was building the Garda Festival, a reality born entirely from scratch, which is now achieving international success, consolidating itself year after year as one of the most important events and festivals of the Italian summer—and beyond.”

A full-bodied portrait emerges of a visionary artist with a soul divided between Italy and Belgium, with many goals and perspectives spanning different artistic and visual fields.