Originally from Southern Italy, Graziana is a post-production professional with 10 years of working experience and over 25 years of movie watching. She particularly enjoys thrillers and teenage comedies. She is currently based in the Chicago area, but she is a New Yorker at heart. When not glued to a screen, she enjoys cooking, embroidering, and playing with her dog, Dougie Jones.
How many years have you been a judge?
1-3 years
What was your first job in the industry? What did it teach you?
My first job in the industry was as an intern for a national broadcast network in Italy. It taught me the importance of adaptability and staying sharp—things move fast in this field, and you always need to be ready to pivot, problem-solve, and keep up with the pace.
What project are you most proud to have worked on?
I’m currently working on a video series of recipes with a celebrity chef, combining two of my favorite things—video and food. It’s been an exciting project that blends creativity and storytelling with culinary education, with the goal of making cooking more accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
What’s the most challenging part about your job and/or the industry?
The unpredictability of the industry and its ups and downs can make it a challenging space to navigate. On top of that, working on projects where the client’s vision isn’t clear can be tricky—it’s a bit like solving a puzzle without all the pieces. But finding creative solutions and bringing a project to life despite these challenges is what keeps things exciting.
What do you look for to determine excellence in video?
I’ve always been passionate about movies and television, but with so much content out there, I’ve become more selective about what I choose to watch. To me, excellence in video and television means capturing my attention—whether through compelling storytelling, striking visuals, or innovative execution. If a piece of content can pull me away from distractions and make me fully engaged, that’s when I know it’s something special.
How do you unwind from work mode?
Unwinding can be tricky when your job revolves around what most people consider entertainment! Turning on the TV, scrolling through social media, or browsing YouTube often feels like an extension of work. So, I find balance in other activities—walking my dog when the weather cooperates, doing yoga to counteract all those hours in front of a computer, cooking, and, most recently, trying my hand at embroidery (still very much a work in progress, but fun!).
What are your current roles and responsibilities and what do you love most about your job?
I oversee video post-production, graphic design, and web projects at my current company. I manage multiple teams, coordinate budgets and schedules, and ensure high-quality content delivery. What I love most about my job is the blend of creativity and organization—bringing structure to the creative process while collaborating with talented individuals. Also, few things bring me more joy than a clean, color-coded spreadsheet—seriously, they can be works of art.
