Today we’d like to introduce you to Walter Nicoletti.
Hi Walter, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage city in southern Italy carved from ancient stone. It’s a place where history breathes through every alley, and where storytelling feels like a natural extension of the landscape. Growing up in such a cinematic environment sparked my passion for performance, narrative, and visual art from an early age.
I first stepped into the creative world as an actor, performing on local stages and gradually transitioning into film. But I’ve always worn multiple hats. Over time, I also became a producer, driven by the desire not only to act in great stories but to help bring them to life from the ground up. Through that journey, I’ve produced and acted in several award-winning short films that have traveled the international festival circuit, collecting recognition and building bridges between European and American audiences.
In 2013, I took another leap and founded Voce Spettacolo, a film distribution and production label born out of a very simple mission: to help independent filmmakers find their voice—and be heard. What began as a local effort to support up-and-coming directors quickly evolved into something global. As I worked more deeply within the festival world, I saw firsthand how hard it was for filmmakers to navigate the complexities of international exposure and especially awards qualification. That’s when I decided to specialize in Oscar campaigns and theatrical runs for short films.
We started modestly submitting to festivals late into the night, and organizing screenings across Italy and eventually in Los Angeles. Things changed when some short I distributed qualified to the Academy Awards. That moment opened my way to Hollywood. Filmmakers began reaching out from the U.S. and across Europe, looking not just for distribution but for strategy.
Since then, Voce Spettacolo has guided numerous short films to the Academy Awards race. In the 2024–2025 season, we qualified some shorts with ‘In the Shadow of the Cypress’ ultimately won the Oscar as Best Animated Short Film. This was not just professional victory—it was proof that a company born in southern Italy could compete on Hollywood’s biggest stage.
Of course, it hasn’t always been easy. Many filmmakers were skeptical at first, unsure why they should invest in festival or awards strategy. I had to advocate—often one call at a time—for the value of well-planned distribution. I also had to juggle my European roots with the demands of building a network in Los Angeles: qualifying theatrical runs, attending Academy events, working with publicists, and running campaigns across time zones.
Today, Voce Spettacolo operates in Beverly Hills, collaborates with Theatres in Los Angeles, and offers filmmakers direct access to the Oscars qualification process. I also proudly serve as a member of the Hollywood Creative Alliance, European Film Academy and Satellite Awards.
Looking ahead, I remain passionate about both my creative and strategic roles—acting, producing, mentoring, and campaigning. I want to build even stronger connections between the European and U.S. industries, and help elevate storytelling to the level of respect and attention it deserves.
In many ways, I’m still the dreamer kid from Matera. Now, the stage is global, and the stories I help tell have the chance to reach millions.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not at all—it’s been anything but smooth. Like many people working in independent film, I’ve faced a long road filled with challenges, doubts, and moments where it felt like nothing would move forward. When you come from a small city in southern Italy and try to enter the international film scene—let alone Hollywood—it’s easy to feel invisible. You don’t have connections, you don’t have major financial backing, and you’re often met with skepticism when you try to talk about Oscars or global distribution from a non-U.S. base.
One of the biggest struggles was convincing filmmakers—especially early on—that strategic festival distribution and Oscar qualification were worth investing in. Many saw it as a gamble, or they simply didn’t understand how the system worked. I had to earn their trust by showing results—one screening at a time, one festival at a time.
Financially, it was also a huge challenge. I self-funded most of the first campaigns, often working day and night to keep the dream alive. I was researching Academy rules, and building industry relationships—all with limited resources and across different time zones.
Another major challenge has been navigating two very different industries—European cinema and the Hollywood system. Each has its own culture, expectations, and language. Learning to operate in both spaces has taken time, patience, and a lot of listening.
And of course, rejection is a constant companion in this business. Projects fall through. Campaigns don’t always get the recognition they deserve. Not every film makes it to the Oscars, and not every client understands how unpredictable the journey can be. You need thick skin and a long-term mindset.
But through all these struggles, I’ve found purpose. Every obstacle taught me how to be more resourceful, more strategic, and more resilient. And in the end, the challenges are part of what makes the success stories so meaningful.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My company, Voce Spettacolo, is an Academy Award Winning Distribution and Film Production Company based in Matera (Italy) and operating in Los Angeles. We specialize in Oscar qualification and strategic distribution for shorts, features and documentary and we’re known for helping independent filmmakers go from under-the-radar to Academy-level recognition.
What sets us apart is the personalized, hands-on approach we bring to each project. We don’t work like a traditional agency—we act as creative partners. From press strategy and festival submissions to organizing theatrical runs in Los Angeles and coordinating awards campaigns, we guide our clients every step of the way. Our focus is not just visibility, but impact.
We are proud to have been behind multiple Oscar-qualified shorts, including most recently ‘In the Shadow of the Cypress’ which won the Oscar for Best Animated Short Film. These milestones are the result of a clear mission: to give independent voices a space in the global conversation.
In addition to distribution, Voce Spettacolo also develops and produces short-form and feature content. We’ve produced several award-winning short films, many of which I’ve also acted and directed in, further blending my artistic and strategic sides. What I want readers to know is that you don’t have to be in Hollywood to play on a global stage. Whether you’re a filmmaker in Europe, the U.S., or anywhere else in the world, if your story is strong and your vision is clear, we can help position your film where it deserves to be seen—by audiences, festivals, and industry members at the highest levels.
We also take great pride in being approachable. Whether you’re an emerging director with your first short, or an established talent looking for a refined campaign, our doors are open. We believe in championing bold storytelling and helping filmmakers navigate the often complex world of distribution and awards with clarity, purpose, and passion.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
What I love most about Los Angeles is its incredible energy and sense of possibility. It’s a city where storytelling is part of the air you breathe—every neighborhood feels like a scene waiting to be filmed, and every person you meet is either creating something or dreaming of doing so. As someone who works in film and storytelling, that creative momentum is contagious. The mix of cultures, backgrounds, and voices also makes LA a truly global place—it reminds me that cinema doesn’t belong to one country or language; it’s universal.
I also love the city’s openness to new ideas. In Los Angeles, you can meet someone over coffee and by the end of the conversation, you’re already collaborating on a project. That spirit of collaboration and ambition is rare and precious.
As for what I like least—it has to be how hard it can be to get around without a car. Coming from a walkable European city like Matera, I had to adapt to the LA lifestyle, where distances are huge. Also, like many creatives, I sometimes feel that the pressure to constantly “sell” yourself or compete can be overwhelming. It’s important to stay grounded and remember why you started in the first place.
But overall, Los Angeles is a place where dreamers come to build—and I feel lucky to be part of that journey.
I will be forever grateful to Los Angeles for welcoming me like a son and allowing me to live my greatest dream: to attend the Academy Awards… and to win! Part of my heart will always beat there and part of my soul will live forever in LA.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.vocespettacolo.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/walternicolettiofficial/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VoceSpettacoloOfficial
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/walter-nicoletti-8394b1a5/
- Twitter: https://x.com/VoceSpettacolo
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@VoceSpettacolo
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/vocespettacolo/
Image Credits
Walter Nicoletti_Beverly Hills | Credits: David Cinnella
Walter Nicoletti_Hollywood Sign | Credits: David Cinnella
Walter Nicoletti_Ovation Hollywood | Credits: David Cinnella
WN1 | Credits: Denni Christopherson
WN2 | Credits: Denni Christopherson
Walter Nicoletti_Matera | Credits: A. Romero
Walter Nicoletti_Voce Spettacolo | Credits: A. Romero
