Most recently, Anelli was among the creative forces behind Il Richiamo di Olympia, a major production staged during the 2026 Carnevale di Venezia. Set against the Venetian Lagoon, the spectacle captivated audiences with its visual ambition and thematic depth, weaving together history, heroism, and human aspiration in a work of striking scale and precision.
Trained first in classical piano and operatic voice before turning to film at AUR, Anelli has written and directed numerous short films - including most recently Animalia, presented during the 82nd Venice International Film Festival - authored fiction, collaborated with regional and international film institutions, and directed opera and theater productions across Italy.
For Anelli, storytelling is never merely technical. “Art should invite audiences into a shared experience of wonder, challenge, and empathy,” he has said - a philosophy that informs both his creative practice and his teaching. In the classroom, he pushes students beyond craft alone, encouraging them to approach filmmaking as a humanistic discipline grounded in intellectual curiosity and cultural awareness.
For students pursuing cinema and the narrative arts, studying with a working director and published author offers a distinct advantage. Anelli bridges music, literature, film, and live performance, bringing firsthand insight from major productions and international festival circuits into seminars, workshops, and critiques.
In an industry often defined by fragmentation, Rocco's path demonstrates what becomes possible when artistic vision is matched with disciplined execution. At AUR, students do not simply study film; they learn alongside those actively shaping contemporary culture. With faculty like Rocco Anelli, the classroom becomes a space where creative ambition meets professional reality, and where emerging storytellers can begin to define their own voice on an international stage.