New York-based, award-winning actress Francesca Ravera notable roles include the feature film “Ulysses: A Dark Odyssey”, and played the lead in the dramatic short film “Claire”, both produced by ADRAMA. Her performance in “Claire” earned ‘Best Actress’ awards at several international film festivals, including the Oniros Film Awards, Care Awards, Diamond Film Awards, Best Actor Awards Festival, Milestone Worldwide Film Festival, Mindfield Film Festival Albuquerque, and the Five Continents International Film Festival, where the film was officially screened.
Her Off-Broadway credits include leading roles in “Truth Be Told” by William Cameron at The Gene Frankel Theatre; “The Hummingbirds” by Garret Jon Groenveld at Chain Theatre, a dystopian play that toured Italy following a successful New York premiere, as well as “Constellations” by Nick Payne at Gene Frankel Theatre, which also toured Italy; “Blackbird” by David Harrower at the New Ohio Theater;”Two Rooms” by Lee Blessing at Access Theater; “North of Providence” by Edward Allan Baker; and “The Nina Variations” by Steven Dietz at Chain Theatre. She has also starred in productions at Urban Stages Theatre, including “Espresso” by Lucia Frangione and “The Way We Get By” by Neil LaBute, which toured Europe.
Francesca has been a proud jury member for the Telly Awards for five years, she has been a jury member for the New York Movie Awards for four years, and servers on the selection committee and Awards panel for the Gene Frankel Theatre Festival.
www.francescaravera.com
@francesca_ravera_
How many years have you been a judge?
5 years!
What project are you most proud to have worked on?
It’s hard to choose just one, but I’m especially proud of Claire, a short film where I played the title role. It was a deeply emotional piece that pushed me as an actor in the best possible ways. The film had a strong festival run, winning multiple awards, and I was honored to receive Best Actress at the Oniros Film Awards, Care Awards, Diamond Film Awards, Best Actor Awards Festival, Milestone Worldwide Film Festival, Mindfield Film Festival Albuquerque, and the Five Continents International Film Festival. What makes me most proud is that the performance resonated with audiences and juries across different countries, proving that our exploration of courage and truth had real impact across borders.
What’s the most challenging part about your job and/or the industry?
One of the greatest challenges is the unpredictability. It takes a lot of emotional stamina to stay grounded and consistent while remaining open and vulnerable. That balance can be tough, but it’s also what makes the work meaningful. You’re constantly learning and never coasting.
What do you look for to determine excellence in video?
I look for work that feels fully realized, where every element, including writing, performance, directing, and editing, serves the story and works together seamlessly. Technical skill is important, but what stays with me is when a project is clear in its vision, original in its choices and execution, and creates a strong, lasting impression on the audience. I notice the small details, the rhythms, and the moments that feel lived-in because those are the things that elevate a project from good to exceptional.
What are your current roles and responsibilities and what do you love most about your job?
I’m an actress working across film and theatre, and I also serve as a judge for several Festivals and Awards. What I love most as an actor is the chance to step into different lives and bring their stories to audiences. Acting is both personal and collaborative, and that constant exchange is what keeps me inspired.
What initiatives or projects are you working on now that excite you?
Right now, I’m excited about the projects I’m judging across film and television festivals. Seeing such a range of voices and storytelling styles is invigorating. Evaluating that work has also given me a fresh perspective on performance and how all the elements, from direction to writing to editing, come together to shape impact.
On the acting side, I was recently cast in White Reality by Stella Rousaki, an international project inspired by Tennessee Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desire. It will premiere this November at the Consulate of Greece, where I’ll be playing one of the leading roles, Stella. I also have several other projects in development that I cannot share just yet.
