Andrea Iervolino

Andrea Iervolino (born December 1, 1987) is an Italian-Canadian film producer, entrepreneur and businessman.

Andrea Iervolino
Iervolino at the Cannes Film Festival in 2018
Born (1987-12-01) 1 December 1987
OccupationFilmmaker, Producer, Entrepreneur
Years active2002–present

In 2014, he made his film-producing debut in the United States[1][2] co-producing The Humbling, which premiered at the 71st Venice International Film Festival. Iervolino's film, In Dubious Battle was screened at the Capri Hollywood Film Festival[3] and the 73rd Venice International Film Festival and Waiting for the Barbarians, which premiered at the 76th Venice Film Festival.

Iervolino was named one of Variety's 2015 Dealmakers,[4] and a Producer to Watch in 2016.[5] In 2016, he was an ambassador for Italian Cinema of the world for the Italian Contemporary Film Festival (ICFF)[6][7] and the president of Ischia Global Film and Music Fest.[8]

In 2020 is named one of the most powerful film producer in the world on Variety 500.

In 2013, Iervolino, along with Monika Gomez del Campo Bacardi, launched AMBI Media Group, an international consortium of companies encompassing all areas of filmmaking from development to distribution.[2]

In 2018, he launched TaTaTu - a block-chain based platform, intertwining social media activity with entertainment viewing through which users are rewarded through special points (TTU Coins) to watch movies, television episodes and other forms of content, and receive additional rewards from their friends' viewing.[9]

Iervolino was awarded Knighthood of Italian Republic (Cavaliere della Repubblica Italiana) on June 18, 2018 by the President of the Italian Republic Sergio Mattarella and the Italian Consulate of Canada. This recognition is "the highest ranking honour of the Republic awarded for "merit acquired by the nation" in the fields of literature, the arts, economy, public service, and social, philanthropic and humanitarian activities and for long and conspicuous service in civilian and military careers."[10]

Early life

Andrea Iervolino was born in Cassino, Italy, in the province of Lazio. His Canadian-born mother, Sonia, was adopted and moved to Italy at a young age. His father, Giovanni, was born rich in Italy but his grandfather had left the family business in inexperienced hands when he passed. Consequently, the family quickly went bankrupt.[11]

As a child, Iervolino had a stutter and was frequently bullied. Despite his teachers' recommendations, his mother blocked his transfer to a school for disabled children. He believes his stammer was triggered by the shock of his father's descent into alcoholism following the family's financial hardship.[11]

Career

Iervolino at the 2017 Canadian Screen Awards with Kathleen Wynne, Sergio Marchionne and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

At thirteen, Iervolino launched a small tech business selling websites with his friends to local entrepreneurs in Cassino, where it was unusual to use the Internet for advertising. Following this success, Iervolino left home at the age of fifteen to work as a producer's assistant on Broadway-style shows in the resort town of Bibione, Italy.[11]

In September of that same year, he returned to his hometown to produce his first film which was financed through crowd-funding from local investors willing to sponsor his project for small donations. A year later, he had produced his first film The Cavalier of Love (2003).[12]

After failing to distribute it in local cinemas, Iervolino began the initiative: Cineschool Day. This strategy involved adding his films into Cassino schools' curriculums giving students the opportunity to go to the watch the films during the day-time at a reduced price. The screenings would then be followed by social debates amongst their classes. For this purpose, Iervolino put together a library of films already in existence with strong social themes and proposed them to schools, complete with information brochures and ideas for how the students could debate. The initiative gained enough traction in the small town that former Italian Prime Minister and Senator for Life Giulio Andreotti attended as spokesperson from 2011–2012.[13][14]

While in Italy, Iervolino met Luciano Martino who became his fatherly mentor and business partner before he died in 2013.[12] Together, they co-produced several films including the aforementioned "The Merchant of Venice". Following the launch of AMBI Media Group in 2013, Iervolino and his business partner, Monika Gomez del Campo Bacardi, went on to launch AMBI Distribution in Beverly Hills, and AIC Studios in Toronto.[15][16] As of 2017, AMBI Media Group also had offices in London, China,[17] and Italy.

In 2015, Iervolino's company acquired 85% of the Exclusive Media Group (EMG) film library[18] in partnership with New York-based private equity firm Raven Capital Management granting licensing, sequel and remake rights to over 400 features including Begin Again, Cruel Intentions, Donnie Darko, End of Watch, Ides of March, Rush, The Skulls, Snitch, Undefeated, and Memento.[19] These along with many more worldwide box-office hits are now listed in AMBI Exclusive's library and relicensed to clients around the world.[20][21][22]

Beginning in 2015, Iervolino and Lady Bacardi began the AMBI Gala Foundation and hosted the first annual AMBI Gala.[23] The proceeds of the gala were given to the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation for investing in environmental causes. The gala was held just before the night of the TIFF in Toronto.[24]

Iervolino is one of the first film producers to co-produce a film involving the Pope.[25] Pope Francis appeared as himself in the film Beyond the Sun,[26] which premiered in Vatican City in September 2017.[27] That year he also received an Honoris Cause Degree from Vasile Goldis University, in the city of Arad.[28]

One year later he received another Honoris Cause Degree from University of Mexico City.

Selected filmograph

Awards and nominations

  • Italian Contemporary Film Festival 2016 – Winner of the IC Saving Award for the Best Canadian Film[40]
  • Venice Film Festival 2016 – Mimmo Rotella Special Award for the production of "In Dubious Battle"[41][42]
  • Venice Film Festival 2015 – Mimmo Rotella Special Award for the production of "The Humbling"[41]
  • Made in Italy Awards 2015 – Nominated for Best Businessman[43]
  • Pompeii Cinema Festival 2014 – Winner of the "Fauno danzante" for best foreign production with the film "The Humbling"[44]
  • Italian Contemporary Film Festival 2018 – Winner of the Best Producer Award[45]
  • Ordine al Merito Della Repubblica Italiana – Awarded as a Knight of the Italian Republic[10]
  • Premio Eccellenza Italiana 2020 - Sezione Cinema
  • Variety 500 - One of the most powerful film producer in the world

References

  1. "My Miami: Andrea Iervolino". Miami Shoot Magazine. 2015-05-18. Retrieved 2017-08-17.
  2. "The Italian-Canadian who has Hollywood film geeks fuming". Retrieved 2017-08-17.
  3. "'La La Land' Named Best Picture at Capri Hollywood Fest". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2017-08-16.
  4. Marich, Robert (2015-12-02). "Dealmakers Impact Report 2015". Variety. Retrieved 2017-08-16.
  5. Variety Staff (2016-10-19). "10 Producers to Watch 2016". Variety. Retrieved 2017-08-16.
  6. "Andrea Iervolino- Press Release". Italian Contemporary Film Festival. Archived from the original on 2017-09-29. Retrieved 2017-08-16.
  7. "ICFF Awards the Most Recognized Names in the Film Industry". Italian Contemporary Film Festival. Archived from the original on 2017-09-29. Retrieved 2017-08-21.
  8. "AMBI Pictures' Andrea Iervolino Named President of Ischia Festival". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2017-08-17.
  9. McNary, Dave (2018-05-07). "Ambi Media Group Launching Blockchain Platform TaTaTu". Variety. Retrieved 2018-05-22.
  10. "Cassino – Andrea Iervolino nominato Cavaliere della Repubblica | TG24.info". TG24.info (in Italian). 2018-06-30. Retrieved 2018-07-03.
  11. "Andrea Iervolino: To Tinsel Town the Hard Way". Financial Times. Retrieved 2017-08-16.
  12. "Connecting People Through News". Retrieved 2017-08-17 via pressreader.com.
  13. "Andrea Iervolino- Press Release". Italian Contemporary Film Festival. Archived from the original on 2017-09-29. Retrieved 2017-08-18.
  14. "ICFF 2015 Interview: Andrea Iervolino and The Humbling". Italian Contemporary Film Festival. Archived from the original on 2017-09-29. Retrieved 2017-08-21.
  15. "Italy's AMBI Pictures Launches Canadian Distribution Arm". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2017-08-17.
  16. "Andrea Iervolino, a mogul and a gentleman". Toronto Star. Retrieved 2017-08-16.
  17. "AMBI Group Launches Joint Venture Film Company in China". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2017-08-17.
  18. McNary, Dave (2015-09-04). "Toronto: Ambi Group Buys Exclusive Media Library". Variety. Retrieved 2017-08-16.
  19. "Christopher Nolan's 'Memento' to Get Remake". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2017-08-16.
  20. Tartaglione, Nancy (2015-09-04). "Exclusive Media Group Library Sold To AMBI Group". Deadline. Retrieved 2017-08-16.
  21. "AMBI Group Buys Exclusive Media's Library: 'Donnie Darko,' 'Memento,' 'Cruel Intentions'". TheWrap. 2015-09-04. Retrieved 2017-08-16.
  22. "AMBI Group acquires bulk of Exclusive Media Group library". Retrieved 2017-08-16.
  23. Miller, Julie. "Martin Short Kicks Off Toronto Film Festival With Donald Trump Jabs, James Franco Zings". Vanities. Retrieved 2017-08-17.
  24. "Diana Ross Gives Rare Performance at TIFF-Eve Fundraiser". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2017-08-17.
  25. Squires, Nick (2017-05-05). "Pope Francis to appear in feature film for first time in Vatican history". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2017-12-01.
  26. McNary, Dave (2017-05-04). "Pope Francis Movie 'Beyond the Sun' Heading to Cannes". Variety. Retrieved 2017-12-01.
  27. Alberge, Dalya (2017-09-20). "Film starring Pope Francis as himself gets first screening at Vatican". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2017-12-01.
  28. "ANDREA IERVOLINO HONORARY DEGREE". Andrea Iervolino. 2017-10-31. Archived from the original on 2018-04-18. Retrieved 2018-04-17.
  29. Busch, Anita (2017-02-01). "Open Road Films Acquires 'Arctic Justice: Thunder Squad' For 2018 Release". Deadline. Retrieved 2017-08-16.
  30. Vivarelli, Nick (2014-08-31). "Venice: Al Pacino's 'The Humbling' Producers Venture into Animation". Variety. Retrieved 2017-08-18.
  31. "First Look! John Travolta Is a Race Car Driver Romancing Shania Twain in Trading Paint". PEOPLE.com. Retrieved 2018-01-11.
  32. McNary, Dave (2017-08-15). "Shania Twain, Michael Madsen Join John Travolta's Racing Movie 'Trading Paint'". Variety. Retrieved 2017-08-17.
  33. N'Duka, Amanda (2017-03-23). "Sofia Vergara, Karl Urban, & Andy Garcia To Topline Bobby Moresco's 'Bent'". Deadline. Retrieved 2017-08-18.
  34. Tartaglione, Nancy (2016-02-01). "Pope Francis To Play Himself In Feature 'Beyond The Sun' For AMBI Pictures". Deadline. Retrieved 2017-08-18.
  35. "AMBI goes 'In Search Of Fellini'". Retrieved 2017-08-21.
  36. Ramos, Dino-Ray (2018-04-17). "'Blue Night' Clip: Sarah Jessica Parker Plays A Devastated Singer Wandering The Streets Of New York In Tribeca Drama". Deadline. Retrieved 2018-04-17.
  37. "AMBI revs up with Lamborghini project". Retrieved 2017-08-21.
  38. McNary, Dave (2016-11-10). "Antonio Banderas, Toby Sebastian to Star in Andrea Bocelli Movie". Variety. Retrieved 2017-08-21.
  39. "Italy's AMBI Pictures Moves Into Animation With 'East End'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2017-08-21.
  40. "Awards". Italian Contemporary Film Festival. Archived from the original on 2017-07-11. Retrieved 2017-08-16.
  41. "James Franco awarded in Venice 73". The Cinema Show. 2016-09-07. Retrieved 2017-08-17.
  42. "James Franco on the "Topical and Eternal" Plot of 'In Dubious Battle'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2017-08-17.
  43. "Vote 2015 Finalist". Made In Italy Awards. Retrieved 2017-08-16.
  44. "Pompei Cinema Festival 2014". LUmagazine (in Italian). Retrieved 2017-08-16.
  45. McNary, Dave (2018-06-28). "Film News Roundup: Amy Adams' Thriller 'Woman in the Window' Set for 2019 Release". Variety. Retrieved 2018-06-29.
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