Fulvio Lucisano, Italian film producer of Ricomincio da tre, dies at 98

Seven decades in cinema

Italian film producer Fulvio Lucisano died at the age of 98 in Rome, his family confirmed on 18 August 2026. His daughter Paola Lucisano announced his passing on social media with the message 'Riposa in pace Papà.' Born in Rome on 1 August 1928, Lucisano completed a law degree at Sapienza University before turning to cinema. He entered the industry in 1949 by working on the documentary 'Anno Santo' for the 1950 Jubilee, and began collaborating with the Istituto Luce in 1950. Over the following decade, he produced approximately 300 documentaries for his own outfit and Documento Film before directing resources into his first narrative feature, 'I quattro del getto tonante', in 1955.

Studio growth and feature productions

In 1958, Lucisano founded the production and distribution company Italian International Film (IIF), which grew into one of the country's most durable independent cinematic enterprises. Over his career, he produced more than 130 feature films and distributed over 600 titles across comedy and auteur drama. In 1981, Lucisano backed the directorial debut of Massimo Troisi with 'Ricomincio da tre', launching the actor's filmmaking career. His production catalogue also spanned Alberto Sordi's 'Il tassinaro', Francesca Archibugi's 'Il grande cocomero' in 1993, Luigi Comencini's 'Un ragazzo di Calabria' in 1987, and Lina Wertmüller's 'Ninfa plebea' in 1996, alongside collaborations with director Mario Bava.

Industry leadership and new comedy eras

Lucisano expanded his business operations beyond traditional production, teaming up with producer Aurelio De Laurentiis during the 1990s to establish multiplex cinemas across Rome. He served as president of the national film industry trade body ANICA from 1998 to 2001 and guided IIF into television production beginning in 2004. In the 2000s, he partnered with director Fausto Brizzi to produce the 2006 box-office release 'Notte prima degli esami' and the 2009 comedy 'Ex'. Brizzi reflected on Lucisano's intuitive approach to screenwriting and creative talent.

The producer of the past got engaged to an author, chose him and provided the means to follow his ideas, defending the choice until the end. Today there is an algorithm that tells you at every step if the idea or the script works. The algorithm was Fulvio.

Honours and artistic legacy

Lucisano accumulated five David di Donatello awards during his career, including the David Speciale alla carriera in 2009 celebrating 50 years in film production, alongside four Nastri d'Argento and two Academy Award nominations. In October 2007, Italian President Giorgio Napolitano appointed him Cavaliere del Lavoro. Following his death, colleagues and cultural figures paid tribute. Actor Alessandro Gassmann described him as possessing the intuitive simplicity and direct intelligence of classic producers, while actress Claudia Gerini recalled how Lucisano cast her at age twenty in Angelo Orlando's 1995 film 'L'anno prossimo vado a letto alle dieci'. Cinecittà president Antonio Saccone and chief executive Manuela Cacciamani, as well as Senate committee president Maurizio Gasparri, also issued statements in his honour. His daughters, Paola and Federica Lucisano, continue to oversee the family's production business.