Paolo Pierobon Wins Best Actor Award for Film Brianza in Rome
At the 21st Rome Film Fest on October 24, 2026, actor Paolo Pierobon won the best actor award for his role in the film Brianza, directed by Simone Catania, but the feature film remains without a commercial distributor.
Paolo Pierobon Wins Best Actor at Rome Film Fest
Paolo Pierobon received the best actor prize at the Rome Film Fest, sharing the honor with Anthony Boyle for I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning directed by Clio Barnard. Speaking from the stage, Pierobon described the recognition as entirely unexpected for a project originating from a very small production company. The actor characterized the work as a small, economical, and independent film crafted with minimal financial backing where the cast and crew worked relentlessly.
The narrative of Brianza centers on Giorgio Farina, played by Fausto Russo Alesi, who is the heir to a prestigious gun shop in Brianza. Farina risks losing everything after investing a fortune to open a luxury armory in Switzerland. Drowning in debt and driven to protect his social standing and the lifestyle demanded by his demanding wife, Marina Rocco, Farina agrees to an embezzlement scheme proposed by Alberto Fumagalli. Pierobon plays Fumagalli, the owner of twelve petrol stations who purchases a weapon from Farina and pulls him into a precarious world of illicit cash and criminal risk. The story is loosely based on a true event.
Pierobon Bases Character on Milanese Hinterland Archetypes
Pierobon built his portrayal of Fumagalli around individuals he observed in the Milanese hinterland, describing the character as an 80s-era archetype. The actor stated that the people inhabiting the setting are ordinary human beings rooted in a specific Lombard-Venetian anthropology. While these figures can appear charming and highly persuasive, they operate against a dark underground backdrop defined by black cash and shadowy business dealings.
In the film’s plot, Fumagalli functions as a miniature ancap figure who establishes his own rules and amasses undeclared wealth. Pierobon dedicated his acting award to Marina Rocco, whom he praised as one of Italy’s most talented actors, and to his co-star Fausto Russo Alesi.
The Ongoing Distribution Challenge
Despite critical recognition at a major festival, Brianza currently lacks a theatrical or streaming release partner. Accepting his award, Pierobon made a direct appeal from the stage regarding the film’s commercial status, joking that his character would insist the movie finds a distributor soon or else face consequences. The production team continues to seek distribution to bring the independent feature to broader audiences following its festival debut.
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