| Sydney Sibilia | |
| Birth Date: | 19 November 1981 |
| Birth Place: | Salerno, Campania, Italy |
| Years Active: | 2010-present |
| Spouses: | Greta Scarano |
Sydney Sibilia (pronounced as /it/; born 19 November 1981) is an Italian filmmaker.[1] [2] He is the recipient of various accolades, including two Nastri d'argento and two Globi d'oro.
He rose to prominence with his debut feature, I Can Quit Whenever I Want (2014), which achieved critical and commercial success, being nominated for three David di Donatello, two Ciak d'oro, two Globo d'oro, and leading to two sequels. After co-founding italian production company Groenlandia, Sibilia has continued to explore themes of ambition and rebellion in films such as the Netflix original Rose Island (2020), which earned him the Globo d'oro, and Mixed by Erry (2023), which has been nominated for the David di Donatello and the Globo d'oro, and won the Nastro d'argento. In addition to film, Sibilia has directed the Sky series Hanno ucciso l'Uomo Ragno (2024), which was well-received in Italy.[3]
Sydney Sibilia, originally from Salerno, began his career directing short films, notably Oggi gira così (2010), written with Valerio Attanasio and produced by Ascent Film. The short won several awards, including the SIAE award for Best Screenplay.[4]
After relocating to Rome in 2007, he directed commercials for major campaigns, including Wind and Fox Crime, while simultaneously developing his debut feature film, I Can Quit Whenever I Want (Smetto quando voglio). Released in February 2014, the film—produced by Fandango, Ascent Film, and Rai Cinema—was a critical and commercial success, earning twelve David di Donatello nominations and awards like the Nastro d'argento for Best Producer and the Ciak d'oro for Sibilia as Revelation of the Year.[5]
The film’s success led to two sequels: (2017) and (2017), both produced by Groenlandia, the production company Sibilia co-founded with Matteo Rovere. These projects solidified Sibilia’s reputation as a filmmaker blending humor and social commentary.[6]
In 2020, Sibilia directed Rose Island, a Netflix original film based on the true story of the Republic of Rose Island. The movie was acclaimed for its unique storytelling and themes of rebellion and freedom.[7]
Sibilia’s subsequent project, Mixed by Erry, released in 2024, chronicles the rise and fall of Enrico Frattasio, a pivotal figure in the Italian music piracy scene of the 1990s. Produced by Groenlandia, the film reflects Sibilia's ongoing interest in stories of ambition and unconventional success.[8]
Since 2019, Sydney Sibilia has been in a relationship with actress Greta Scarano.[9] The couple married in 2021.[10]
| Year | Title | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Iris Blu | Short film | |
| 2010 | Oggi gira così | Short film | |
| 2014 | I Can Quit Whenever I Want | Debute feature | |
| 2017 | |||
| 2017 | |||
| 2017 | Io sì, tu no | Short film | |
| 2020 | Rose Island | ||
| 2023 | Mixed by Erry |
| Year | Category | Nominated work | Result | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Revelation of the Year | I Can Quit Whenever I Want | ||
| 2014 | Best Screenplay | I Can Quit Whenever I Want |
| Year | Category | Nominated work | Result | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | I Can Quit Whenever I Want | |||
| 2014 | I Can Quit Whenever I Want | |||
| 2024 | Best Adapted Screenplay | Mixed by Erry |
| Year | Category | Nominated work | Result | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Best Comedy | I Can Quit Whenever I Want | ||
| 2014 | Best Film | I Can Quit Whenever I Want | ||
| 2021 | Best Comedy | Rose Island | ||
| 2023 | Best Comedy | Mixed by Erry |
| Year | Category | Nominated work | Result | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Best Comedy | I Can Quit Whenever I Want | ||
| 2014 | Best New Director | I Can Quit Whenever I Want | ||
| 2021 | Best Comedy | Rose Island | ||
| 2023 | Best Comedy | Mixed by Erry |