Martin Scorsese lands prestigious Italian cinema role after lifetime of movie classics

Martin Scorsese is set to become honorary president of Italy’s David di Donatello Academy – with the legendary filmmaker saying Italian cinema has been a “constant source of inspiration” throughout his life.

The 83-year-old Goodfellas and Taxi Driver director has accepted the position at the Accademia del Cinema Italiano, which oversees the David di Donatello Awards, Italy’s equivalent of the Oscars.

The proposal was made by Italian culture minister Alessandro Giuli, in agreement with the foundation’s founding members and president Silvia Calandrelli, with its board now required to formally approve the appointment.

In a statement addressed to Alessandro, Martin said: “Italian cinema has been a constant source of inspiration throughout my life.

“The films, authors and artistic traditions born in Italy have profoundly shaped both my understanding of cinema and my work. Being associated, in this capacity, with the Academy and the David di Donatello Awards is particularly meaningful to me.”

Martin added: “I will be honoured to support the Academy’s commitment to the international promotion of Italian cinema and film culture, and to contribute to its cultural initiatives and activities.”

The filmmaker, whose family roots are in Sicily, has frequently spoken about the influence of Italian cinema on his career.

His body of work spans more than five decades and includes Mean Streets, Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, Goodfellas, Casino, Gangs of New York, The Departed, The Wolf of Wall Street, The Irishman and Killers of the Flower Moon.

Martin won the Academy Award for best director for 2006 crime drama The Departed and has maintained long-running creative partnerships with actors Robert De Niro and Leonardo DiCaprio.

Alessandro said he proposed Martin for the honorary presidency “because few filmmakers embody the profound connection between the great Italian tradition and the history of cinema like him”.

He added: “His willingness to accept represents an extraordinary recognition for our cinema and for Italy, the land of his origins.”

The appointment forms part of a wider overhaul at the David di Donatello Academy.

Gian Luca Farinelli, head of Bologna’s Cineteca and its Il Cinema Ritrovato festival, has been appointed artistic director, while Silvia has taken over as president.

Gian Luca replaces some of the responsibilities previously held by film journalist Piera Detassis, who became the first woman to lead the awards in 2018.