After earning degrees in Psychology and Film, Haber worked in New York with Maysles Films and Max Mambru Films, producing writing and directing, as well as directing theater. He became a member of the Writers Guild of America in ’88, after which he moved to Rome, where he lived until ’98. In that period he directed TV films and a comedy feature, “L’amico Di Wang”. From ’98 to ’04 in L.A. he produced shows for Italian TV and sold original feature scripts. From ’05 to ’08, he led the Prague Film School, and his film “The Wrong Mr. Johnson” gained significant acclaim in the Czech Republic. After teaching at Drexel, Penn and American University of Rome, he founded RIFS and continues to develop film and TV projects and international co-productions. Most recently he was show-runner, producer, writer and co-director on the 4 episode series now in post-production, "Regina di Bastoni".
Stephen Natanson is a director and producer with over 30 years of experience in documentaries, advertising, and TV programs, working with major broadcasters such as BBC, CNN, and RAI. He graduated from the Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia in Rome and the American Film Institute in Los Angeles. Starting as a camera operator, he has directed and produced a range of projects including “Another Love,” “Ara Sine Pacis,” and “This is my land… Hebron,” which has won over 20 international awards. He has recently returned from India, where he worked on a new project currently in post-production.
Born in Rome, Italo earned degrees in sociology and film, with further training at the Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia. In 1985, he co-founded BOX 4, focusing on video cinematography and digital effects, and worked with Giorgio Barberio Corsetti on art and theater videos. He served as Director of Photography on “L’amico di Wang” in ’97 and “Due volte nella Vita” in ’98, one of the first Digi-Beta films in theaters. A member of the A.I.C. since 1999, Italo is noted for his expertise in High Definition and has directed and filmed for RAI, including episodes of “Incantesimo” and “Agrodolce.” He has received awards for his short films and served as a jury member for the Davide di Donatello Awards.
Bilingual actress and photographer trained in San Diego, Milan and Rome, Manuela has studied with internationally renowned teachers, including Michael Margotta, Ivana Chubbuck and Mary Setrakian. She’s acted in several Italian and English productions - films and stage - including Davide Ferrario's "La luna su Torino," in competition at the Rome Film Festival, and Emiliano Galigani's "The Imago," winner of the Manchester Film Festival as best production. She is a member of the English Theatre of Rome, with which she has staged two all-female versions of Shakespeare's Hamlet and Richard III. She recently starred as Carmela in the series “Regina di Bastoni”. She has organized seminars of film excellence (Paul Haggis, Kimberly Graham, Robert McKee, etc...), and from 2018-2023 she was the official interpreter and assistant to Michael Margotta. She is also a trained and certified intimacy coordinator for film.
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Praneeth, born in India, is a member of the “Telugu Cine Writers Association.” A 2023 RIFS graduate, he made three successful short films and is currently working as an AD and AC on a documentary with an Italian production company, while also freelancing as a cameraman on five projects this past year.
Stefano Misiani was born in Rome in 1966, and is a project manager, AV production manager, and specializes in educational and learning management. He was the director of NUCT – New University of Cinema and Television in Rome (Cinecitta’ studios), and the director and board member of the Consortium Cinecitta’ Formazione founded by Cinecitta’ Holding. He has produced TV programming, commercials, corporate and institutional films. He has worked on projects for academic institutions, universities and research facilities and is a regular contributor on audiovisual projects for the EC for web and social networks.
Daniel Molina is a Mexican cinematographer and photographer, with over thirteen years of photographic experience - Originally trained as an architect in Mexico City, he later pursued filmmaking at RIFS. During his studies, he wrote, directed, and photographed two short films and served as Director of Photography on more than fifteen student short films. He most recently served as DP/Operator on the RIFS production of the limited series "Regina di Bastoni" .
Chiara is a director and cinematographer born in New York City. After receiving her Bachelor’s degree in Film and Media studies, she continued her filmmaking education at RIFS during the 2025-2026 school year, where she wrote and directed two short films of her own, and served as director of photography on eleven short films by her fellow students.
Byron is an experienced Production Manager with credits on Hollywood and international independent films. Working extensively within the English-speaking market, he specializes in transforming creative visions into seamless, high-impact experiences, managing the complex logistics, technical coordination, and financial oversight required to bring large-scale productions to life. His work bridges the gap between artistic direction and technical execution, ensuring that every department operates in perfect harmony. From initial planning and budgeting to scheduling and on-site execution, he has managed arena-sized concerts, live broadcasts, and complex film productions. With credits on “Hudson Hawk”, “Godfather III”, “Scugnizzi” and “Only You”, he most recently was UPM on the RIFS co-production “Regina di Bastoni”.
Leonardo has over 20 years of experience working on movies and TV series in Italy and abroad as an assistant director. He was the First Assistant Director on many TV series, including “Prisma”, “SKAM: Italia”, “Oltre la Soglia”, “C’era una Volta Studio Uno”, “The Family”, “Squadra Anti-Mafia – Palermo Oggi” and “Zero”; and on movies, including “Fatti Vedere”, “When in Rome”, “Supernova”, “State a Casa”, “An Almost Ordinary Summer”, “Io Sono Mia”, “Daughter of Mine”, “Back Home”, “Ci Vediamo Domani” and “Pazzi di Me”. Most recently he served as first AD on the RIFS co-production of the limited series “Regina di Bastoni”.
Tore studied film and TV production in NY, and in 1980 co-founded Box 4, a production hub in Rome. From ‘83 to ‘94 he produced documentaries, commercials and video art for BIG TV. Since ‘95 he has produced films, documentaries, TV shows and series. Among his credits as producer are: Muzungu (1999) directed by Massimo Martelli; Sangue Vivo (2000) directed by Edoardo Winspeare; Perduto Amor, directed by Franco Battiato; and Il Divo, directed by Paolo Sorrentino (2007). He produced the TV miniseries Un Giorno Fortunato, and the show 123 Stella on Channel 7.
A longtime member of the Actor’s Studio and alumnus of Pasadena Playhouse College of Theatre Arts, Michael starred in film, theater and TV in the 60s, 70s and 80s. For many years now, Margotta puts his talent to work by bringing the Stanislavski\Strasberg method to other actors and artists by teaching throughout the US and Europe, and is based in Milan. In the 1990s, he taught at the prestigious Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute in New York City and has recently joined up with RIFS, offering intensive workshops for both regular RIFS students and other actors in Italy.
John Muto, a UC Berkeley graduate, started his career as an effects animator and storyboard artist. He moved into production design with Night of the Comet (1984) and went on to design Home Alone (1990), Species (1995), and Terminator 2/3D: Battle Across Time. Muto founded the Art Directors Film Society, has moderated panels at San Diego Comic-Con, and lectured at UCLA, AFI, and Columbia University. A longtime member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, he serves on the Executive Committee of the Designers Branch.
Nick Mancuso, born in Calabria, Italy, and raised in Canada and the US, is a renowned actor with over 120 film credits, 4 major TV series, and over 150 plays. His extensive career includes working alongside stars like Sophia Loren and directors like Arthur Hiller, earning him numerous awards including the Canadian Genie Award. Mancuso is also a producer, writer, and artist with global exhibitions. He founded the Nick Mancuso Acting Academy in Toronto in 2014 and is active in cultural projects in Mammola, Calabria.
Nelly is one of Egypt’s most highly regarded and sought-after actresses in Film and TV.
Larry is a producer/distributor who was often a collaborator of Orson Welles, including on his last film “The Other Side of the Wind”.
Mary is one of Hollywood’s more sought-after Costume Designers, known for her work on “Men in Black”, “Crazy Rich Asians” and “The Old Guard”.
