A young Italian filmmaker who spent his formative years in South Africa has graduated with top honours from film school in Rome and plans to return to Cape Town to create a movie about his missionary upbringing.
Tommaso Furgione, born in Rome, moved to South Africa at age six when his family began missionary work. He lived in Goodwood, Cape Town, and attended Labiance Pre and Primary School before moving on to CBC St John’s Parklands for his secondary education.
The 22-year-old recently earned his degree summa cum laude in Film Directing and Production from at the Digital Arts and Media Academy in Rome, where he distinguished himself with a thesis examining faith-based cinema and its potential for contemporary evangelisation.
Faith-driven filmmaking vision
His thesis, titled “Self-sustaining cinema and faith as a creative engine: The case of The Chosen and the birth of a new model of Christian participatory production,” analysed how religious content can achieve both artistic quality and commercial success.
“Filmmaking represents one of the forms of evangelisation with the greatest potential in the contemporary landscape,” Furgione explained in his thesis. “The Bible constitutes the greatest source of historical narrative in existence, offering inexhaustible stories and infinite inspiration for a new generation of filmmakers.”
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Furgione believes that faith-based projects can transcend purely commercial considerations when built on clear mission and shared vision.
South African film project
The filmmaker now plans to return to his adopted homeland to create a movie about his missionary experience, with production planned for Cape Town studios. Unusually, he intends to cast real people rather than professional actors to tell his story authentically.
“My passion for movies arose during my path throughout South Africa’s missionary work, where the desire grew to give back hope and beauty to people, especially youth,” Furgione said.
Furgione was forced to leave South Africa during the Covid-19 pandemic. He completed his studies in Rome, but his connection to the country remains strong.
His supervisor, Elisabetta Villaggio – daughter of renowned actor Paolo Villaggio and a director who works with major Italian broadcasters – praised his innovative approach to combining art, faith, and production.
The young filmmaker concluded his thesis with a personal statement that reflects both his academic achievement and spiritual conviction: “Of one thing I am certain: such a complex project would not be possible without the presence of Divine Providence, which precedes every step and requires faith. God is the true producer.”
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