The First Gaze: The Italian Who Invented Cinema/L’italiano che inventò il cinema
A remarkable piece of Italian film history is now freely available to audiences everywhere.
Filmmaker Stefano Anselmi, together with producer Daniele Baldacci, has announced that their documentary L’italiano che inventò il cinema – released internationally as The First Gaze – can now be freely watched and shared by anyone.
A Decade of Research and Discovery
This project on Filoteo Alberini, a pioneer of Italian cinema, is the result of almost ten years of work, completed with the support of Alberini’s family and the Cineteca di Milano. During its commercial run the film was shown at numerous national and international festivals, brought to Italian television audiences through a broadcast on Rai Storia, and later made available for online viewing on Rai Play. Beyond these screenings, the documentary inspired further cultural initiatives, including a crowdfunding campaign to restore Alberini’s tomb at Rome’s historic Verano Cemetery and his addition to the official “Great Italians” visitor itinerary.
Now Free for Educational and Cultural Use
With its festival and broadcast cycle complete, The First Gaze is now free of rights restrictions. Stefano and Daniele invite educators, film societies, libraries, and all lovers of Italian culture to screen, share, and use the film for any educational or cultural purpose.
Anyone interested in Italian culture, silent film, or the origins of world cinema can now experience Alberini’s story firsthand.