Lorenzo Fonda

Lorenzo Fonda
Fonda in 2019
Born (1979-11-28) November 28, 1979
Modena, Italy
OccupationsFilm director and artist
Years active1999–present
Websitelorenzofonda.work

Lorenzo Fonda (born November 28, 1979) is an Italian filmmaker and multi-media artist and artist based in Italy. He is recognized for his eclectic use of multi-media techniques and often surreal storytelling. He became a naturalized United States citizen in 2021.[1]

His works include feature films, commercials, music video, short films, interactive installations, illustrations and murals. He is best known for his collaboration with mural artist and animator Blu, which resulted in the feature-length documentary Megunica, shot in 2006 across Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Argentina. During the production of the film Fonda encouraged Blu to experiment mixing the stop-motion technique and painting, and the first test they created ended up being included in the film.[2][3] Subsequently, Blu further explored the technique which led to the creation of the groundbreaking film Muto.

Fonda collaborated with Rodney Ascher on his documentary A Glitch in the Matrix, for which he acted as director of animation. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival 2021 and was acquired by Magnolia Pictures.

Other works include music videos for bands such as Caribou, Scissor Sisters, Metronomy, Bright Eyes, Jovanotti, Jamie Woon, Bernhard Fleischmann, For a Minor Reflection and others, as well creating ads for companies such as Nike, Alfa Romeo, San Diego Zoo and Converse. Aside from his commercial works, he directed PSAs for The Humane Society of the United States, National Geographic Channel, Boys & Girls Clubs and World AIDS Day. He created a series of station identifications for MTV, entitled 'MTV: The Art of M." These included "Ice Cream," with production design by Mathery.

In 2008 he crossed the Pacific Ocean aboard the cargo ship Portland Senator, and he made a film about the experience titled Ten things I have learned about the sea.[4]

His graphic novel Per aspera ad astra, published by the Italian publishing company Coconino Press in October 2025, is an autobiographical account of the year after the death of his wife, the illustrator Elena Xausa. Since its release, the book has received positive reviews.[5][6][7][8]

Fonda is currently working on a project revolving around a skateboarding session on the biggest modern sculpture in the world, the Cretto di Burri.[9]

Filmography

Feature Length

  • A Glitch in the Matrix (as Director of Animation) - documentary - (2021)
  • Archaeology of the future - documentary - (in production)
  • Megunica - documentary - (2008)

Other works

  • "The Brick Wall" - 2018 - (personal short film)
  • "The Sound of Heat" - 2011 - (commissioned by MOCA Los Angeles)
  • "WARP20 NYC" - (medium-length documentary, commissioned by Warp Records) - 2010
  • "Ten things I have learned about the sea" - (personal short) - 2008
  • "King of Empty" - (part of PSST! Pass it on project) - 2008
  • "Blu + ERICAILCANE - (personal short film) - 2007
  • "BIFF opener" - (commissioned by Boston International Film Festival) - 2007

Awards

  • 2009 Taiwan International Documentary Festival - Special Merit Prize
  • DOC/Fest Sheffield Documentary Film Festival - Grierson Youth Jury Prize Nominee
  • Amsterdam International Film Festival 2008 - Best Creative Documentary
  • Officinema festival - Concorso Iceberg - Best Documentary

References

  1. ^ "@lorenzofonda US Naturalization". Retrieved 2022-05-18.
  2. ^ Baldegg, Kasia Cieplak-Mayr von (2011-08-10). "Blu's First Stop-Motion Street Art Experiments in 'Megunica'". The Atlantic. Retrieved 2021-02-12.
  3. ^ "Brad Yarhouse – Animation in the street: The seductive silence of Blu – Animation Studies". 28 August 2013. Retrieved 2021-02-12.
  4. ^ Baldegg, Kasia Cieplak-Mayr von (2011-08-03). "Ten Things I Have Learned About the Sea". The Atlantic. Retrieved 2021-02-12.
  5. ^ Tonfoni, Virginia (2025-11-07). "Lorenzo Fonda, scrutando tra le stelle". Il Manifesto (in Italian). Retrieved 2025-02-12.
  6. ^ Tevini, Stefano (2025-11-16). "Per Aspera ad Astra di Lorenzo Fonda: la libertà di spaziare e di seguire l'istinto". Duels.it (in Italian). Retrieved 2025-02-12.
  7. ^ Cozzoni, Andrea (2025-11-04). "Per Aspera ad Astra – Il gesto d'amore di Lorenzo Fonda". Dimensione Fumetto (in Italian). Retrieved 2025-02-12.
  8. ^ Giannone, Angelo (2025-11-18). "Per Aspera ad Astra – Intervista a Lorenzo Fonda". XtraCult.it (in Italian). Retrieved 2025-02-12.
  9. ^ "The Art of Visual Storytelling with Lorenzo Fonda". MiND. 2019-03-27. Retrieved 2021-02-12.
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