Meet Gabriele Maria Bussetti | Filmmaker & Visual Storyteller

We had the good fortune of connecting with Gabriele Maria Bussetti and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Gabriele Maria, what matters most to you?
I learned early on that everything has to serve the story – that’s just how I’m wired as a filmmaker. There’s this moment in every edit where you’re staring at this gorgeous shot you’re personally attached to, but you can feel it’s not quite capturing what the story is asking for. Now when I’m working, I find myself asking: ‘Am I living up to this story, or am I settling for something that’s just close enough?’ It’s not always comfortable – sometimes that means admitting you haven’t found the truth of a moment yet, or that you need to dig deeper – but the story deserves your best attempt at honesty. When you actually match what the story is asking for, that’s when the real connection happens.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’ve learned that the best creative decisions happen when you focus on what the story needs rather than your personal attachment to certain choices. Whether I’m writing, directing, or editing, I try to stay honest about whether each decision is actually serving the narrative.
What I love most is being able to follow a story through its entire journey, from the first draft to the final cut. There’s something really satisfying about that complete creative process.
The path here had its challenges. Learning to get out of my own way was probably the hardest part – understanding that sometimes the right choice means letting go of something you’re proud of if it’s not helping the story move forward.
At the end of the day, I want to tell stories that resonate with people – that connect with their own experiences and truths. That’s what drives me – making sure every frame serves that connection.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’d start with Bob’s Big Boy in Burbank – this 1950s spot where David Lynch used to sit every day working on scripts. There’s something about that creative ritual that really speaks to me as a filmmaker.
Griffith Observatory at sunset is essential – there’s something about seeing the whole city spread out below you as the light changes. Then Heritage Square Museum, which most people miss completely. These Victorian houses show you what LA looked like before it became what it is today.
We’d catch a movie at the Vista Theater – Tarantino’s place in Los Feliz. Walking into that old theater feels like stepping into film history, and being in Los Feliz puts you right where so many creative people live and work.
Food-wise, Grand Central Market downtown has this incredible mix of energy – all these different vendors and people from every part of the city. And we’d definitely drive up Mulholland at some point, maybe late at night when those winding canyon roads feel most cinematic.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have to shoutout three incredible mentors who shaped how I approach filmmaking: Scott Hartmann, Matteo Nurizzo, and Bart Mastronardi. Each of them taught me something essential – Scott taught me how to be a director, Matteo helped me understand the language of editing, and Bart showed me that passion and craft go hand in hand. What I loved about learning from them is that they never just gave me answers; they pushed me to find my own voice while respecting the fundamentals. More than anything, they taught me the value of putting in the work – that there’s no substitute for showing up, staying late, and refusing to settle for ‘good enough.’ They showed me that real craftsmanship comes from that willingness to do whatever the story demands, even when it’s uncomfortable. I wouldn’t be the filmmaker I am today without that lesson.

Website: https://www.bgmfilm.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabriele.bussetti/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bgm-film/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BGMFilmProductions

Other: https://www.instagram.com/bgmfilmproduction/