Valentina Castellani

Valentina Castellani-Quinn is an award-winning film producer and the President and Chairman of Quinn Studios Entertainment, based in Los Angeles. Born in Florence, Italy, she hails from a family that has owned the Teatro Verdi opera house since the 1800s. This upbringing immersed her in the performing arts from an early age.

Castellani-Quinn began her acting career under the mentorship of Vittorio Gassman at the Academy Theatre in Florence, performing in various Italian and Greek classical plays. In 1993, she moved to Paris to study at the École du Cinéma Français, marking her entry into the film industry.

In 2012, she founded Quinn Studios Entertainment to carry forward the Quinn family’s legacy in arts and entertainment.

Under her leadership, the studio has produced several notable works, including "Life on a Bike" (2012), a documentary series on the Giro d'Italia cycling tour, and "The Butterfly's Dream" (2014), which was a candidate for the Academy Award and Golden Globe for Best Foreign Movie, winning multiple international awards. Another significant production, "One Rock Three Religions" (2016/17), explored the Dome of the Rock in Israel from the perspectives of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, earning the Human Rights Award and recognition from the U.S. Congress. In 2018, "Wonderful Losers" was a candidate for the 2019 Academy Awards for Best Foreign Film and won 11 international awards.

Castellani-Quinn has received prestigious honours, including the U.S. Congress Award, the Human Rights Award, and the English WIFTS Award as a "Visionary Producer." She has spoken at international organisations like the United Nations, UNESCO, and the YPO, highlighting ethical production and cultural dialogue.

She pursued her education in arts and painting, graduating from the Istituto d'Arte in Florence. Furthering her studies, she attended the Istituto Europeo di Design and the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, focusing on fashion and design.

Valentina Castellani-Quinn was born in Florence, Italy, into a family deeply rooted in the arts. Her family has owned the Teatro Verdi opera house since the 1800s, providing her with early exposure to performing arts, including operas, plays, and ballets. This background shaped her passion for the arts and her future career in creative industries.

She pursued her education in arts and painting, graduating from the Istituto d'Arte in Florence. Further advancing her studies, she earned a master’s degree in design and arts from the Istituto Europeo di Design and later studied fashion and apparel design at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York.

Valentina began her acting career under the guidance of Vittorio Gassman at the Academy Theatre in Florence. She performed in several plays, primarily from Italian and Greek classical repertoires. In 1993, she moved to Paris and studied at the École du Cinéma Français, where she transitioned into the film industry. Her early years in Paris allowed her to work in various international productions across Europe and the United States, gaining valuable experience in theatre, television, and film.

In 2012, following the untimely death of her husband, Francesco Quinn, son of Academy Award-winning actor Anthony Quinn, she founded Quinn Studios Entertainment in Los Angeles. The studio was established to honour and continue the legacy of the Quinn family in arts and entertainment.

Under Valentina’s leadership, Quinn Studios Entertainment has been involved in a series of impactful projects:

"Life on a Bike" (2012): A documentary series centred on the Giro d'Italia cycling tour, filmed across 11 countries.

"The Butterfly’s Dream" (2014): Co-produced by Quinn Studios, this film became a candidate for the Academy Award and Golden Globe for Best Foreign Movie, winning several international awards, including at the Milano International Film Festival and the Siena Film Festival.

"One Rock Three Religions" (2016/17): A documentary exploring the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, highlighting the shared spiritual significance to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. This project won the Human Rights Award and earned recognition from the U.S. Congress for promoting interfaith dialogue.

"Wonderful Losers" (2018): A candidate for the 2019 Academy Awards for Best Foreign Film, this documentary received 11 international awards and widespread acclaim.

In addition to her film production work, Valentina has been an influential voice in global forums. She has spoken at the United Nations, UNESCO, and the U.S. Congress, as well as at international organisations such as the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO). Her presentations often focus on ethical production practices and the role of arts in fostering global understanding.

Valentina has also contributed to educational and artistic discourse through her participation in international events and lectures. She has shared her insights at institutions such as the ArteBA in Buenos Aires, the Museum of Contemporary Art of Salvador de Bahia, and the Istituto Italiano di Cultura in New York.

Her achievements have been recognised through numerous awards, including the U.S. Congress Award, the Human Rights Award, and the English WIFTS Award as a "Visionary Producer." She was honoured alongside global leaders such as Chancellor Angela Merkel and actress Gal Gadot.

Quinn Studios Entertainment continues to develop new projects aimed at promoting cultural understanding and creating meaningful impact through storytelling. Valentina’s work remains dedicated to advancing the legacy of the Quinn family and her commitment to bridging diverse perspectives through the arts. She currently resides in Los Angeles, where she continues to lead Quinn Studios Entertainment and engage in global initiatives centred on the arts and cultural dialogue.

Valentina Castellani-Quinn envisions a world where art and storytelling bridge cultural divides and promote mutual understanding. Through her work at Quinn Studios Entertainment, she aims to create films and projects that inspire dialogue, foster empathy, and highlight shared human values. Her focus is on producing meaningful content that addresses global issues, promotes social change, and preserves cultural heritage. Valentina believes in the transformative power of film to educate and unite people, working to ensure that her projects contribute positively to society and leave a lasting impact on audiences worldwide. Her vision reflects a commitment to ethical and impactful storytelling.

She was honoured with the U.S. Congress Award and the Human Rights Award for her work promoting cultural understanding and social impact through storytelling. She also received the English WIFTS Award as a "Visionary Producer," recognised alongside Chancellor Angela Merkel and actress Gal Gadot. Her documentary One Rock Three Religions earned multiple international awards, including U.S. Congressional recognition. Valentina's dedication to meaningful and ethical storytelling has established her as a respected figure in the global film and arts community.