Rishi VakilOn February 22, 2025, the AGBO Russo Brothers’ Italian American Filmmaker Forum honored acclaimed actor, filmmaker, and author Stanley Tucci with the 2025 Renaissance Award. The ceremony took place at AGBO’s Downtown Los Angeles studio, celebrating Tucci’s outstanding contributions to Italian American heritage and the entertainment industry.
Stanley Tucci, a six-time Emmy Award winner and two-time Golden Globe recipient, has significantly influenced cinema and television over his four-decade-long career. His CNN series, “Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy,” not only garnered two Primetime Emmy Awards but also highlighted his deep-rooted connection to his Italian heritage, particularly his family’s origins in Marzi, Calabria. Tucci’s literary works, including “The Tucci Cookbook” and the memoir “Taste: My Life Through Food,” further exemplify his dedication to storytelling and Italian culture.
The Renaissance Award, presented annually by the Russo Brothers’ Italian American Filmmaker Forum, recognizes individuals who have made remarkable contributions to Italian American culture and the arts. In his acceptance speech, Tucci expressed gratitude for the honor and emphasized the importance of preserving and promoting Italian American narratives in mainstream media.
The event also marked the launch of the RBIAFF 2025 Fellowship, an initiative designed to support emerging filmmakers passionate about exploring the Italian American experience. Applicants are invited to submit a three-minute sizzle reel outlining their film concepts that delve into aspects of Italian American culture, language, history, or community. Five selected filmmakers will each receive a $10,000 grant to produce a short film based on their proposal. A distinguished panel, including Filmmaker Forum Founders Basil Russo, Patricia Russo, and their children Anthony Russo, Joe Russo, and Angela Russo-Otstot, will evaluate the completed films. The winning filmmaker will be awarded an additional $10,000 and gain entry into the AGBO Storytellers Collective (StoCo), an exclusive network offering mentorship and industry guidance.
Since its establishment in 2017, the Russo Brothers’ Italian American Filmmaker Forum has granted over $450,000 to more than 50 filmmakers, fostering a new generation of storytellers dedicated to portraying the rich tapestry of Italian American life. The 2025 Renaissance Celebration not only honored Stanley Tucci’s illustrious career but also reinforced the Forum’s commitment to nurturing authentic voices within the Italian American community. The other major stars who attended the event were Felicity Blunt, Donald Mustard, Laura Mustard, Joe Picozzi, Justin Russo, Frank Grillo, David Weil, Dominic Hughes, Scott Nemes, Glen Mazzara, Basil M. Russo, Jeffrey Ford, Louis D’Esposito, Chris Brearton, Ramel Westry, Ann Russo, Alicia Russo, Sophia Russo, Joe Ballerini, Anthony D’Alessandro, Marian Koltai-Levine, Ellie Duque, Grey Watson, Josh Simon, Karina Ayter, Alexander Kirk, Chris Regan, Patricia Russo, Phillip V. Caruso, Sarah Caruso, Vincent Caruso, Sofia Krunic, Alan Trinca and Valentina Martelli.
