Francesco Catarinolo is an Italian film director and producer based in Turin, whose work moves between documentary, animation and hybrid visual storytelling.

He graduated in Film Studies (DAMS) and specialized in directing and audiovisual production. He is the founder of Studio Pandora, a production and post-production company known for its distinctive visual style and its focus on innovative narrative forms.

Early in his career, he collaborated with journalist Riccardo Staglianò on the documentaries Terza Repubblica and Futuro Interrotto, working as a video reporter for the newspaper La Repubblica.

In 2019, he joined AIR3 – Italian Directors Guild, further expanding his work into the development of international film and television projects.

In 2021, he directed the fantasy short film Dharma Bums, starring Hal Yamanouchi (The Wolverine), alongside Taiyo Yamanouchi, Maius Bizau and Mimosa Campironi.

His career spans both auteur cinema and cross-media projects. In the same year, he directed The Red House, a feature documentary portraying the life of Robert Peroni, a former explorer who became a symbolic figure of cultural resistance in Greenland. The film explores themes of identity, isolation and the relationship between humans and nature. It was co-produced by major international broadcasters including ARTE, NDR, RTS and Al Jazeera, and screened at numerous international festivals.

In 2024, he directed Bob Noto – The World’s Finest Palate, a poetic and ironic documentary about the renowned Turin-based photographer and gourmet. Premiered at the Newport Beach Film Festival, the film blends archival footage, animation and interviews to create an unconventional portrait exploring taste, aesthetics and friendship.

Catarinolo has also worked extensively as a director and creative across television, music videos, commercials and museum installations. He directed the music video Una canzone come gli 883 for Warner Music.

Alongside his film work, he develops content for younger audiences. He is the creator, producer and director of the animated series Will Moogley Ghost Agency, based on the novels by Pierdomenico Baccalario and Alessandro Gatti. The project was presented International Animation Film Festival (MIFA 2025) and is conceived as a cross-media property spanning television, gaming and publishing.