AGBO Shares the 2026 Recipients of the Russo Brothers Italian American Filmmaker Forum Grants
AGBO and the Italian Sons and Daughters of America (ISDA) have announced the recipients of the 2026 Russo Brothers Italian American Filmmaker Forum (RBIAFF) grants. Five filmmakers have been awarded $10,000 each to produce short films that delve into the Italian American experience through original concepts.
The 2026 grant recipients and their film concepts are as follows:
ALL ABOUT CLAIRE, directed by Davide Fiore (California)
Logline: Among forgotten boxes in a deceased neighbor’s basement, a filmmaker uncovers the legacy of Claire Giannini Hoffman, an Italian-American woman deeply trusted by U.S. Presidents yet largely forgotten by history. Some silences are not accidents.
DUE VENTI (TWO WINDS), directed by Veronica Maccari (California)
Logline: After becoming a U.S. citizen, a former Italian champion sailor returns to Lake Como to participate in a local regatta, where she grapples with her identity caught between two cultures.
IL FUNERALE, directed by Jeremy Tyler Owens (California)
Logline: During an emotionally charged Italian-American funeral, 13-year-old Jimmy is tasked with preparing a family dish. When he discovers his deceased uncle’s secret daughter, he faces a difficult decision about preserving family harmony or revealing the truth.
LEATHER FLOWERS, directed by Lucie Reese (New York)
Logline: A traditional Italian grandmother, attending her granddaughter’s rock concert, is forced to confront memories of the life she abandoned in pursuit of becoming the perfect Nonna.
THE SEMOLINA SCORE, directed by Roman Molino Dunn (California)
Logline: A teenager raised by his Italian grandmother in rural Pennsylvania begins experiencing synesthesia. He learns that the “inner melody” at the family table embodies the love passed down through generations.
Angela Russo-Otstot, Chief Creative Officer of AGBO and co-founder of RBIAFF, emphasized the program’s mission, stating, “Each year, the Russo Brothers Italian American Filmmaker Forum introduces filmmakers with distinct voices and perspectives. This year’s recipients have created stories that are deeply personal yet universally resonant, exploring themes of identity, connection, and belonging with honesty and nuance. At AGBO, we’re committed to championing emerging storytellers and creating space for bold, original voices to thrive, and we’re proud to support these artists as they bring their visions to life.”
Filmmakers submitted three-minute sizzle reels, which a review committee comprising AGBO executives and ISDA leadership evaluated. The selected grant recipients will have several months to complete their projects. Following the completion of the films, one filmmaker will be chosen for an additional $10,000 grant and invited to join the AGBO Storytellers Collective, an alumni network for emerging filmmakers.
To date, AGBO and ISDA have awarded over $500,000 in RBIAFF grants, supporting more than 50 filmmakers in bringing their creative visions to fruition.
