Submissions for the RBIAFF 2026 Fellowship will close on March 18, 2026.

The annual initiative invites filmmakers to develop original short films exploring the Italian American experience through culture, language, history, land, and identity. 

As part of RBIAFF’s broader mission to honor Italian American excellence in entertainment, AGBO has also recognized established leaders whose work has shaped the industry and elevated Italian American storytelling. Last year, AGBO presented Stanley Tucci with the Renaissance Award, celebrating his extraordinary career as an actor, writer, and advocate for Italian culture. In 2024, the award was presented to Louis D’Esposito, Co-President of Marvel Studios. 

For the fellowship, applicants must submit a three-minute sizzle reel that communicates their creative vision for a short film rooted in Italian American storytelling. From the applications, five filmmakers will be selected to receive $10,000 production grants to create a short film based on their submitted sizzle reels over the course of several months. 

One filmmaker will ultimately be awarded the top prize, selected by a judging committee composed of the AGBO creative team and ISDA leadership, including AGBO Co-Founders and Partners Anthony Russo and Joe Russo, AGBO Chief Creative Officer Angela Russo-Otstot, and ISDA National President Basil Russo. The winner will receive an additional $10,000 grant and admission into the AGBO Storytellers Collective. 

The AGBO Storytellers Collective is an alumni network supporting filmmakers recognized through AGBO’s fellowships and competitions. The Collective offers mentorship, industry guidance, and opportunities for collaboration, empowering artists to grow their careers and realize ambitious creative goals. 

In the 8th Annual Russo Brothers Italian American Filmmaker Forum, “St. Joseph,” directed by Maky Rupert, was awarded the top prize for 2025. Rupert’s film follows a group of estranged cousins who return to their now-empty childhood home in search of a statue of St. Joseph their Italian grandmother buried in the yard decades earlier for good luck. Through this deeply personal and nostalgic journey, the film explores grief, adulthood, and the enduring power of family and cultural tradition. 

Since its inception in 2017, the Russo Brothers Italian American Filmmaker Forum has supported emerging voices in cinema by awarding over $500,000 in grants to more than 50 filmmakers, celebrating Italian American heritage through authentic, compelling storytelling. 

 

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ABOUT AGBO 

Founded in 2017 by Anthony and Joe Russo, AGBO is an artist-led independent studio shaping the future of film and television. The Russo Brothers and AGBO have generated more than $7 billion at the global box office, including Avengers: Endgame. The studio’s projects include Academy Award–winning Everything Everywhere All at Once, Netflix hits The Gray Man and Extraction, and Prime Video’s global Citadel franchise. Citadel Season 2 premieres in May 2026, while The Bluff debuts on Prime Video February 25, 2026. 

AGBO is currently in production with Netflix on Tygo and Mercenary, both part of the Extraction universe, as well as with Lionsgate on John Rambo, a prequel to the iconic franchise. The studio is in post-production on The Whisper Man, starring Robert De Niro, and Avengers: Doomsday, which will be released December 18, 2026. AGBO will begin shooting Avengers: Secret Wars later this year. Both upcoming Avengers films are directed by Anthony and Joe Russo and co-produced by AGBO and Marvel Studios. 

ABOUT AGBO FOUNDATION 

The AGBO Foundation is a philanthropic initiative founded by Anthony and Joe Russo, the visionary creators behind AGBO. Committed to harnessing the transformative power of storytelling, media, and the arts, the foundation strives to inspire meaningful change in our world. By fostering creativity, advancing education, and supporting communities in need, the AGBO Foundation seeks to provide opportunities for everyone to be part of a larger narrative.

Collaborating with diverse partners, the foundation champions the value of cultural preservation, empowerment, and social progress. Through a blend of creative endeavors and strategic initiatives, the AGBO Foundation envisions a future where the convergence of art and empathy drives lasting impact on a global scale. 

OFFICIAL RULES

In 1930, immigrant families banded together to create the Italian Sons and Daughters of America (ISDA), now one of the most prominent and financially successful Italian American organizations in the nation. In the last decade, we built a 730,000-strong social media community, grew our not-for-profit fraternal association, ISDA Financial Life, to nearly a half billion dollars in member assets, co-founded the Russo Brothers Italian American Filmmaker Forum (RBIAFF), and launched the fastest-growing Italian American publication (La Nostra Voce). 

Make a Pledge and join Italian Sons and Daughters of America today. 

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A one-two punch from AGBO and the Russo Brothers!

After dropping the first teaser trailer for Avengers: Doomsday, the superstar directors and prolific studio are already back with an additional teaser for 2026’s most anticipated film. Marvel is wasting zero time, once again reminding audiences exactly what an Avengers film is supposed to look and feel like.

The movie’s first teaser debuted exclusively in front of theatrical showings of Avatar: Fire and Ash, before arriving online on December 18th — exactly one year before the film is set to release. One revelation broke the internet when audiences learned Chris Evans would reprise his role as Steve Rogers/Captain America — his first return to the character since Avengers: Endgame (2019). The announcement alone was enough to send shockwaves throughout the fandom, giving Doomsday a superstar anchor to build upon.

Hammer Time

In the week leading up to the New Year, Marvel upped the ante once again, unveiling the return of Chris Hemsworth as Thor Odinson, confirming that another original Avenger is stepping back into the spotlight for Doomsday. The teaser picks up seemingly after the events of 2022’s Thor: Love and Thunder which redefined the character — shifting Thor from a mythic warrior to battle-worn father. Fatherhood seems to be the thematic anchor of this teaser. The first spoken dialogue from the film comes as a prayer from Thor to his father, Odin. In what is a very poetic and heartfelt monologue, Thor begs his father for strength — strength to fight one last enemy, so he can come home to his daughter. The teaser closes as the last did, with a countdown to the film’s release.

Can’t Wait for Doomsday

The success of Avengers: Doomsday is critical for Marvel Studios — and the superhero genre. After an immensely successful and unprecedented seven-year run that reshaped modern, blockbuster filmmaking, the Hollywood behemoth has faced serious challenges this decade. Critical duds, box-office failures, and an overall downturn of engagement with the Marvel mythos has led to lackluster results. The last year—2025—was disappointing for Marvel Studios, as all three of their theatrical releases failed to make an impact in the global box-office or in the cultural zeitgeist.

Avengers: Doomsday needs to represent more than just a standard sequel; the film needs to be a massive cultural moment. That urgency helps explain why they’ve once again turned to Joe and Anthony Russo to carry the film to greatness. The architects of Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame — two of the biggest movies of all time — are the only directors in Hollywood who can shepherd this film to greatness.

Twelve Months from Now

While much of Avengers: Doomsday remains under wraps, the rapid rollout of two teasers within two weeks gives fans reason for optimism. If Marvel continues at this pace, audiences could soon get their first glimpse at returning heroes, long awaited X-Men introductions, and even the film’s central antagonist: Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom. If these teasers are any indication, Avengers: Doomsday is on track for a blockbuster—scheduled release December 18th, 2026.

Editor’s note: The Russo Brothers are lifelong members of Italian Sons and Daughters of America (ISDA).

In 1930, immigrant families banded together to create the Italian Sons and Daughters of America (ISDA), now one of the most prominent and financially successful Italian American organizations in the nation. In the last decade, we built a 725,000-strong social media community, grew our not-for-profit fraternal association, ISDA Financial Life, to nearly a half billion dollars in member assets, co-founded the Russo Brothers Italian American Filmmaker Forum (RBIAFF), and launched the fastest-growing Italian American publication (La Nostra Voce). 

Make a Pledge and join Italian Sons and Daughters of America today. 

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LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 10, 2025: AGBO and the Italian Sons and Daughters of America (ISDA) proudly announce “St. Joseph,” directed by Maky Rupert, as the winner of the 2025 Russo Brothers Italian American Filmmaker Forum (RBIAFF).

Earlier this year, five filmmakers received $10,000 production grants to create short films based on concepts exploring the Italian American experience. From this year’s exceptional works, “St. Joseph” was selected as the top prize winner and is set to receive an additional $10,000 grant, along with access to the AGBO Storytellers Collective (StoCo).

Rupert’s film follows a group of estranged cousins who return to their now-empty childhood home in search of a statue of St. Joseph, which their Italian grandmother buried in the yard for good luck 30 years prior. Through this nostalgic and deeply personal journey, the film explores themes of grief, the evolving bonds of family in adulthood, and the enduring power of cultural and familial traditions. 

Since its inception in 2017, RBIAFF has supported emerging voices in cinema by awarding over $450,000 in grants to more than 55 talented filmmakers. This year marks a continued celebration of Italian American culture, language, and heritage through the lens of creative storytelling. 

This year’s winner was chosen by a committee composed of the AGBO creative team, ISDA leadership, and a distinguished panel of judges that included AGBO Co-Founders and Partners Anthony Russo and Joe Russo, AGBO’s Chief Creative Officer Angela Russo-Otstot, ISDA National President Basil Russo, and ISDA representative Patricia Russo. The program’s mission remains steadfast: to elevate authentic, compelling narratives that highlight the richness of the Italian American experience. 

The AGBO Storytellers Collective, an alumni network exclusive to those honored through AGBO’s fellowships and competitions, will provide the 2025 winner with mentorship, industry guidance, and a platform to collaborate with fellow emerging filmmakers. The Collective supports its members’ growth as artists and empowers them to realize their creative ambitions. 

“Supporting emerging storytellers is central to AGBO’s mission, and RBIAFF embodies that commitment by amplifying voices that thoughtfully illuminate the Italian American experience,” said Angela Russo-Otstot. “We’re inspired by these filmmakers’ distinct perspectives, and congratulate Maky Rupert on St. Joseph, a resonant film capturing the poignancy of family, tradition, and the lasting impression they impart.”

In January 2024, AGBO presented Louis D’Esposito, Co-President of Marvel Studios, with the inaugural “Renaissance Award,” a distinguished honor to celebrate the outstanding contributions to Italian American heritage and the entertainment industry. This year, the second annual Renaissance Award was presented to Stanley Tucci, celebrating his remarkable achievements as an actor, writer, and passionate advocate for Italian culture. 

Maky Rupert will screen his winning film at a future RBIAFF event at AGBO in Downtown Los Angeles. 

For more information on The Russo Brothers Italian American Film Forum, please visit https://agbo.com/community/the-russo-brothers-italian-american-filmmaker-forum 

RBIAFF 2025 FINALISTS

Grant Recipient: TIRAMISU

DIRECTOR: Katerina Munis

LOCATION: CA, US

LOGLINE: Two strangers collide in the heat of a Sicilian kitchen.

️DIRECTOR’S BIO️

Katerina is an award-winning writer/director. She holds an MFA in Film & Television Production from USC’s School of Cinematic Arts and was the Director of Productions at XR Stage, an immersive film & TV studio.

Katerina is distinguished as a 2025 Russo Brothers’ fellow, 2025 McKnight Foundation Screenwriting fellow, 2024 Academy Awards Nicholls finalist, 2025 Stowe Story Labs screenwriter, 2025 Moonshot Feature Accelerator fellow, 2024 Screencraft Screenwriting Fellow, 2024 Next List featured screenwriter, 2023 Fox production grant winner, and 2023 USC Gary Memorial Scholarship winner. Katerina’s 2024 directorial debut DAEDALUS was the recipient of myriad “Best Director” / “Best Film” awards and was featured in AMPAV’s “Emerging Filmmaker” showcase at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival.

Grant Recipient: PASTA PERFETTA

DIRECTOR: Adriano Valentini

LOCATION: CA, US 

LOGLINE: When a lonely man’s disastrous attempt to impress social media with a picture-perfect pasta dish turns him into an overnight influencer, he must decide whether to keep feeding the illusion or rediscover what’s truly nourishing.

️DIRECTOR’S BIO️

Adriano Valentini is an Italian-Canadian-American indie filmmaker whose work explores identity, comedy, and contemporary Italian-American culture. His films and series have been recognized in major festivals and competitions, blending satire with socially relevant storytelling. A proud triple passport holder, Adriano brings a unique global perspective to his work, drawing from his Italian roots, Canadian upbringing, and experiences in the U.S. film industry.

He was a Top 10 Finalist in HBO’s Project Greenlight and the winner of NBC’s Comedy Playground. His award-winning web series, Little Italy, Los Angeles, won Best Web Series at both the HollyShorts Film Festival and LA ComedyFest. He has directed comedy for Jimmy Kimmel Live!, and his indie comedy series How to Do Sh!t with Guido Gagootz was a smash hit at SeriesFest, building a large, engaged online following beyond just the Italian community.

Adriano is an alumni of the Writers Guild of Canada Diverse Writing Program and has a background in both scripted and documentary filmmaking. His short docuseries Destination: Italia, produced for Telelatino Network (TLN), explores the cultural and historical ties between Italy and North America.

A graduate of NYU Tisch School of the Arts (BFA in Film & TV Production) and Toronto Metropolitan University’s MBA in Media Management, Adriano is committed to telling stories that reflect the modern Italian-American experience. His work, often infused with humor and sharp cultural critique, seeks to challenge stereotypes and explore what it means to hold onto tradition in an ever-changing world.

Grant Recipient: LUIGI LOOKALIKE

DIRECTOR: Luke Salvatore Petronella

LOCATION: NY, US

LOGLINE: A young Italian-American hijacks the persona of an alleged criminal in a desperate attempt to win his girlfriend back.

️DIRECTOR’S BIO️

Luke Petronella is a 25-year-old Sicilian-American filmmaker with a passion for community service and activism. Currently, he is working to help solve food insecurity in the United States. For the past 6 years, Luke has supported a nonprofit organization called Rescuing Leftover Cuisine and is now its full-time Content Manager & Brand Ambassador. This work allows him to create documentary short films about the people of NYC who volunteer their time to redistribute excess food from restaurants, bakeries, and catering companies, to homeless shelters, soup kitchens, and food pantries. He grew up on Long Island, and graduated from Brooklyn College in 2022. It is because of his experience in helping his community that Luke finally found his true passion: to support his fellow neighbor through the use of documentary filmmaking.

Grant Recipient: FORGOTTEN FLAVORS

DIRECTOR: Michael Mastronardi

LOCATION: CA, US 

LOGLINE: Armed with his camera, a filmmaker sets out to recreate his late grandmother’s lost recipes through family stories and fading memories—uncovering as much about himself as the woman who inspired him.

️DIRECTOR’S BIO️

Michael is an award winning filmmaker based out of southern California. He has spent his career seeking truth in storytelling in both doc and narrative work. His strong voice and vision helps craft introspective pieces that provoke thought and expose the artist’s internal struggles.

ABOUT AGBO 

Founded in 2017 by Anthony and Joe Russo, AGBO is an artist-led independent studio dedicated to shaping the future of storytelling across film, TV, and interactive media. Known for record-breaking success, AGBO has delivered 15 global #1 openings and, helmed by the Russo Brothers, has generated over $7 billion in box office, including Marvel’s highest-grossing film, Avengers: Endgame. Everything Everywhere All at Once won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, while The Gray Man and Extraction rank among Netflix’s most-watched films of all time. 

AGBO’s Citadel universe has expanded globally, with Citadel: Diana and Citadel: Honey Bunny becoming top Prime Video originals and Citadel Season 2 is now in post-production. The studio recently released The Electric State for Netflix, which premiered as the #1 film on the platform; wrapped The Bluff for Amazon MGM; is in post-production on The Whisper Man for Netflix; and continues production on the Extraction series and Mercenary. 

In addition, AGBO has Rambo in pre-production, while the studio is also producing Avengers: Doomsday (2026) and Avengers: Secret Wars (2027) with Marvel, with the Russo Brothers set to direct. https://www.agbo.com 

In 1930, immigrant families banded together to create the Italian Sons and Daughters of America (ISDA), now one of the most prominent and financially successful Italian American organizations in the nation. In the last decade, we built a 725,000-strong social media community, grew our not-for-profit fraternal association, ISDA Financial Life, to nearly a half billion dollars in member assets, co-founded the Russo Brothers Italian American Filmmaker Forum (RBIAFF), and launched the fastest-growing Italian American publication (La Nostra Voce). 

Make a Pledge and join Italian Sons and Daughters of America today. 

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-SL

Born in Rome on Sept. 20, 1934, Sophia Loren — the Italian queen of Tinseltown — is one of the last surviving stars from the Golden Age of Hollywood. Encouraged to enroll in acting lessons after entering a beauty pageant, Loren began her film career at age 16 in 1950.

She appeared in several bit parts and minor roles in the early part of the decade, until her five-picture contract with Paramount in 1956 launched her international career. Notable film appearances around this time include The Pride and the Passion, Houseboat, and It Started in Naples, according to Wikipedia.

SOPHIA LOREN through the years – always stunning. Credit: @GrowingUpItalia pic.twitter.com/EreqRD29Ok

— All The Right Movies (@ATRightMovies) September 20, 2024

But critics didn’t fall in love with Loren until her performance as Cesira in Vittorio De Sica’s Two Women. Loren’s performance earned her the Academy Award for Best Actress in 1962 and made her the first actress to win an Oscar for a foreign-language performance.

Seemingly overnight, Loren went from a girl in poverty to silver screen royalty.

She holds the record for having earned six David di Donatello Awards for Best Actress: Two Women; Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow; Marriage Italian Style (for which she was nominated for a second Oscar); Sunflower; The Voyage; and A Special Day.

After starting a family in the early 1970s, Loren chose to make only occasional film appearances. In later years, she has appeared in films such as Grumpier Old Men (1995), Nine (2009) and The Life Ahead (2020).

Aside from the Academy Award, she has won a Grammy Award, five special Golden Globes, a BAFTA Award, a Laurel Award, the Volpi Cup for Best Actress at the Venice Film Festival, the Best Actress Award at the Cannes Film Festival and an Honorary Academy Award in 1991.

In 1995, she received the Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award for lifetime achievements. In 1999, Loren was named by the American Film Institute as one of the 25 greatest female stars of Classic Hollywood Cinema, and at age 91, she is the only living actress on the list.

 

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The Russo Brothers Italian American Filmmaker Forum (RBIAFF) is presented by AGBO, in collaboration with the Italian Sons and Daughters of America (ISDA).

— Click here to learn more —

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Italian actress Cristiana Dell’Anna, the star of CABRINI, visited Cleveland’s Italian American community for a special screening of the acclaimed film, followed by a Q&A and meet-and-greet with audience members.

The event, held at a packed Cedar Lee Theatre on April 12, was co-hosted by ISDA President Basil Russo and Italian Consul Allegra Baistrocchi.

Among those in attendance included political and business leaders and CABRINI Executive Producer J. Eustace Wolfington. The film tells the remarkable story of Mother Cabrini, an intrepid nun who rose to global prominence by breaking barriers, championing the poor and becoming the first U.S. citizen to be canonized.

“The world is too small…”

Born in a tiny village in Italy in 1850, Cabrini’s childhood made her unlikely to ever leave the borders of her native Lombardy. She survived tuberculosis only to be stricken with smallpox and lifelong bronchitis. Before her twelfth birthday, she was given, at most, a few years to live.

And yet, despite her frailty, her resolve was unwavering, once quipping, “The world is too small for what I intend to do.” By the end of her life, Cabrini had founded 67 hospitals, orphanages and schools across the globe.

She was responsible for the largest transnational humanitarian empire the world had ever known, exceeding the charitable endeavors of all her contemporaries, said to include the Vanderbilts and the Rockefellers combined.

And all this Francesca Cabrini did as a woman (well before the right to vote, when women had no voice), as an immigrant (at a time when migrants were considered second-class citizens) and as a leader (as part of a male-dominant church structure).

An Unbroken Legacy

Cabrini’s hospitals would become the model of inclusive health care for the entire country – adapting standards of care, cleanliness and organization that were as innovative in her time as they are standard now.

Her child-centered educational philosophy preceded and mirrored those of Montessori schools worldwide, changing the very nature of classroom education. In 1946, Cabrini was canonized for her tireless care for the poor, the orphan and the immigrant.

After her canonization, a young woman was inspired to model her life after Mother Cabrini.  In 1950 she established her own order, that woman was Mother Theresa of Calcutta.

A Mother to Us All

Cabrini’s legacy takes on deeper meaning as we celebrate Mother’s Day. Though not a mother in the traditional sense, she embodied the role through compassion and devotion.

Her life was a testament to the transformative power of service, offering love, shelter and dignity to the most vulnerable. In honoring Mother’s Day, we also honor women like her, whose maternal spirit helped change the world.

Happy Mother’s Day to all he madri and nonne in our lives!

See the critically-acclaimed film, CABRINI, here: https://www.angel.com/movies/cabrini

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Avengers: Doomsday will premiere worldwide on May 1, 2026.

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The Russo Brothers Italian American Filmmaker Forum (RBIAFF) — founded by A-list directors Joe and Anthony Russo, along with their father, Basil Russo, national president of Italian Sons and Daughters of America (ISDA) — honored Stanley Tucci with the 2025 Renaissance Award for his outstanding contributions to both his heritage and the entertainment industry.

The award ceremony took place on Feb. 22 in downtown Los Angeles at AGBO, the Academy Award-winning independent film studio the Russo Brothers founded nearly a decade ago.

Before a crowd of L.A. luminaries and leaders of the Italian American community, Tucci held the Murano glass trophy and rose to the moment.

“Writers and producers felt no obligation for any sort of sociological justification or significant negative life-changing event that could explain the criminal behavior of an Italian character because that behavior was assumed to be innate. According to the world of Hollywood, our very nature was criminal, evil, even,” he said.

“Perhaps the primary trait in our collective Italian DNA is not a genetic predisposition toward evil but the opposite…it’s an innate desire to share stories about our culture, both past and present, that reflect the complexities and nuances of who we are as Italian Americans.”

Tucci’s words echoed the mission of RBIAFF, which was launched in 2017 to shift Hollywood’s portrayal of Italian Americans away from mafia tropes and toward authentic depictions of the Italian American experience. The annual fellowship awards $10,000 grants to a handful of emerging filmmakers, supporting projects that add depth to the culture.

Filmmaker Joe Picozzi was named the 2024 RBIAFF winner for his short film, My Kind of People. The story follows a proud paesano who, after a DNA test reveals his father was adopted, must grapple with the realization that he’s not genetically Italian. As his familial bonds fracture, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery, wrestling with the meaning of heritage, belonging and identity.

“There’s nothing more powerful than a storyteller who can capture the lightheartedness, poignancy and struggle of our lives,” said Basil Russo. “These projects bring us closer to our culture and our shared experiences. This is just the beginning as we enter a new era of Italian American cinema, thanks to artists like Mr. Tucci and Mr. Picozzi.”

Over the past eight years, RBIAFF has awarded $450,000 in grants to more than 50 filmmakers.

The recipients of the 2025 RBIAFF grants will be announced in the coming weeks.

In 2024, Marvel Studios Co-President, Louis D’Esposito, received the inaugural RBIAFF Renaissance Award. D’Esposito was one of the architects behind the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), and it was he who helped launch the Russo Brothers’ comic book film canon, which includes Avengers: Endgame, the second-highest grossing film of all time.

The Russo Brothers next major release, The Electric State, which co-stars Stanley Tucci, will premiere on Netflix on March 14, 2025.

To learn more about the Russo Brothers Italian American Filmmaker Forum (RBIAFF), click here.

Make a pledge and become a member of Italian Sons and Daughters of America today. 

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By Truby Chiaviello, PRIMO Magazine

Joe and Anthony Russo, the visionary directors behind some of the biggest films in cinematic history, were honored on Feb. 21 with a handprint ceremony at the historic TCL Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.

The event was a pivotal milestone for the filmmaking duo, who have not only shaped the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) but have also left an indelible mark on the film industry through their production company, AGBO.

Friday’s ceremony was attended by family, friends and Hollywood collaborators, reinforcing just how influential the Russos have become in international film and television.

The presence of Marvel Studios co-Presidents, Kevin Feige and Louis D’Esposito, was a testament to the Russo Brothers’ role in the comic book film canon. The duo directed four of the most defining Marvel films — “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” “Captain America: Civil War,” “Avengers: Infinity War” and “Avengers: Endgame” — the highest grossing film ever at the time of its release.

Altogether, the films directed by the Russos have generated almost $7 billion today, putting the Cleveland, Ohio, natives among the highest grossing filmmakers in history.

CALLING ALL STORYTELLERS: Apply Now for the 2025 Russo Brothers Italian American Filmmaker Forum

The Russos are scheduled to direct two upcoming Marvel films, “Avengers: Doomsday” and “Avengers: Secret Wars,” due out in 2026 and 2027, respectively.

Also in attendance were Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, the Russo Brothers’ longtime writing partners and the architects behind the scripts for their Marvel blockbusters.

The ceremony wasn’t just a Marvel reunion — it was also a celebration of the Russos’ 30-year journey from television to blockbuster filmmaking.

Actor Chris Pratt was in attendance to introduce the Russo Brothers, commending the pair for their Midwestern values and Italian American focus on family. He was later joined by actresses Alison Brie and Yvette Nicole Brown.

Pratt is set to star in the Russo Brothers’ next film “The Electric State,” which will premiere on March 14 on Netflix.

Adding to the significance of the event, the Russos were joined by their parents, Basil and Patricia Russo, who beamed with pride as their sons cemented their place in Hollywood history.

Basil Russo remains the most prominent Italian American leader and advocate in the United States as he presides over the Conference of Presidents of Major Italian American Organizations (COPOMIAO) and the Italian Sons and Daughters of America (ISDA). He and his wife’s attendance was a reminder of how Joe’s and Anthony’s upbringing shaped their storytelling themes of loyalty, power and identity.

Their sister, Angela Russo-Otstot, AGBO’s Chief Creative Officer, was in attendance and played an integral role in the Russos’ career, helping steer projects like “Citadel” and “The Electric State.”

Perhaps the most touching aspect of the event was the presence of Joe’s wife, Alicia, and Anthony’s wife, Ann. Joe’s daughter, Ava Russo, has already made a name for herself in Hollywood by portraying Lila Barton, the daughter of bow-and-arrow ace, Hawkeye, in the MCU; and Joe’s oldest daughter, Sophia Russo, serves as VP of Brand Development and Management at AGBO. Seeing multiple generations of the Russo family standing together made the event a truly full-circle moment.

While their work on the MCU defined a generation of storytelling, their focus has now shifted to AGBO, where they continue to innovate with high-stakes action and character-driven narratives. The event wasn’t just about celebrating their past —it was a recognition that the Russo Brothers will continue to shape the future of entertainment.

View the photo slideshow here.

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Calling all storytellers! Join the Russo Brothers Italian American Filmmaker Forum (RBIAFF) to celebrate Italian American heritage through film.

Feb. 1 marked the launch of the RBIAFF 2025 Fellowship, an initiative inviting emerging filmmakers to develop films exploring the Italian American experience, presented by AGBO and the Italian Sons and Daughters of America (ISDA).

— REGISTRATION CLOSED —

Applicants have the opportunity to showcase their vision and skills through a three-minute sizzle reel that conveys their idea for a film highlighting aspects of Italian American culture, language, history, land, or people.

From these applications, five filmmakers will be selected to receive a $10,000 grant to create a short film based on their idea over several months. From these five films created, a selection committee comprised of the Filmmaker Forum Founders — Basil Russo, Patricia Russo, and their children Anthony Russo, Joe Russo, and Angela Russo Otstot — will choose a winner to receive an additional $10,000 and admittance into the AGBO Storytellers Collective (StoCo).

 

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The AGBO Storytellers Collective is an alumni network exclusive to those honored through AGBO’s fellowships and competitions. It provides mentorship, industry guidance, and a platform to collaborate with fellow emerging filmmakers. As a supportive community, the Collective empowers its members to continue growing as artists and realizing their creative ambitions.

Related story: AGBO’s Russo Brothers Italian American Filmmaker Forum Honors 2025 Renaissance Award Recipient Stanley Tucci

Since its inception in 2017, the fellowship has granted over $450,000 to more than 50 filmmakers. In 2024, filmmaker Joe Picozzi won for his film, My Kind of People. Picozzi’s short film tells the story of a proud paesano who, after a DNA test reveals his father’s adoption, must grapple with the devastating realization that he’s not genetically Italian. As the foundation of his identity crumbles and his familial bonds fracture, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery, wrestling with the meaning of heritage, belonging, and identity.

Submissions for the RBIAFF 2025 Fellowship opened on Feb. 1, 2025, and will close on Feb. 28, 2025.

Learn more about the Russo Brothers’ life and work in Marianna Gatto’s Italians in Hollywood. 

ABOUT AGBO

Established in 2017 by acclaimed directors Anthony and Joe Russo, AGBO’s mission is to propel the next era of storytelling by developing and producing universe-driven intellectual properties that span film, TV, and interactive. As a powerhouse independent studio founded and operated by a collective of artists with decades of experience, AGBO has consistently shattered audience records with its globally resonant content. In recent years, AGBO has achieved record-breaking success in both box office and streaming, setting new standards in global entertainment. The Russo Brothers and AGBO have had 14 number one global openings with over seven billion in box office including Marvel’s highest grossing film of all time: Avengers: Endgame.  Everything Everywhere All at Once broke records for A24 by winning seven Academy Awards including Best Picture in 2023.  The Russo Brothers-directed film The Gray Man sits in the top six of Netflix’s “most viewed of all time” list, and the Chris Hemsworth-starrer Extraction has become Netflix’s most successful franchise to date. Additionally, following its April 2023 release, the first season of Citadel was Prime Video’s second most-watched new original series outside the U.S., with it’s Italian & Indian series, Citadel: Diana & Citadel: Honey Bunny, with both being in the top watched new original series worldwide. AGBO has just completed principal photography on the Amazon MGM film The Bluff directed by Frank E. Flowers and has commenced production on Citadel Season 2 in London with Joe Russo directing.  Recently announced this summer, AGBO will be producing, alongside Marvel, the Russo Brothers-directed films Avengers: Doomsday set to release May 2026 and Avengers: Secret Wars set to release May 2027. https://www.agbo.com/

ABOUT AGBO FOUNDATION

The AGBO Foundation is a philanthropic initiative founded by Anthony and Joe Russo, the visionary creators behind AGBO. Committed to harnessing the transformative power of storytelling, media, and the arts, the foundation strives to inspire meaningful change in our world. By fostering creativity, advancing education, and supporting communities in need, the AGBO Foundation seeks to provide opportunities for everyone to be part of a larger narrative. Collaborating with diverse partners, the foundation champions the value of cultural preservation, empowerment, and social progress. Through a blend of creative endeavors and strategic initiatives, the AGBO Foundation envisions a future where the convergence of art and empathy drives lasting impact on a global scale.

CONTACT: 

social@agbo.com

Follow on Instagram for updates: @agbofilms

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