Life and work
Francesco Vitali was born in Athens and raised in Piraeus. His father's family came from Italy. [1]
He began his journalism career at a young age, eventually becoming Editor-in-Chief for the Greek editions of several major international publications. He also founded a talent management company in Greece, representing many of the country’s top celebrities before moving to New York City in 1996 to pursue opportunities as an actor, writer, and producer.
After relocating to Los Angeles, Vitali became the Artistic Director of the historic Tamarind Theater in Hollywood, where he directed and starred in several productions, including Hamlet and Harold Pinter's Ashes to Ashes under the direction of Di Trevis. During this time, he was cast by George Clooney in the HBO series Unscripted , appearing in episodes 1.3 and 1.4. In 2004, after his final performances, Vitali retired from acting to fully transition into entrepreneurship and executive production.
48FILM Project and Creative Ventures
In 2008, Vitali co-founded the online film festival 48 Go Green with Chris Siametis. Initially launched in Cyprus, the project attracted over 300 entries within its first month. It later evolved into the 48FILM Project, a global competition where filmmakers create short films in just 48 hours. [2] [3]
The initiative expanded into the 48 Music Project, where musicians composed and submitted original songs in 48 hours. The project was endorsed by Sony Music and featured composer Dimitra Galani as jury president. [4]
By 2016, over 75,000 filmmakers from 130 countries had participated in the 48FILM Project. Finalist films were screened at the Directors Guild of America. [5]
In 2017, Vitali and Siametis launched 48FILM Project Hellas – Respect Greece, a cultural initiative aimed at rebranding Greek identity through a documentary directed by Vitali and based on submitted films. [6] [7]
He also announced the production of Gates of Hades (2018), a psychological thriller inspired by the myth of Persephone. [8] [9]
Business Strategy and Entrepreneurial Career
Since the early 2000s, Vitali has developed a parallel career as a business strategist and branding advisor, helping celebrities, startups, and corporations elevate their public presence and scale internationally. His consulting expertise spans digital platforms, fashion, wellness, and media.
He has been widely recognized for his work with public figures, including a longstanding professional relationship with Ivana Trump that spanned over two decades.
In 2023, Vitali co-founded RentACyberFriend.com, a global tech platform allowing users to find friends and professionals online through real-time video chat. The service has received international media coverage for its innovative approach to digital connection and emotional support.
He is also the author of Message for Success (2023), a motivational guide offering entrepreneurs practical insights on leadership, communication, and mindset development.
Personal life
Vitali resides in Los Angeles, California. Despite a long-standing career in public media and international business, he maintains a discreet personal life and avoids public discussion of private matters.
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