Meet Letizia Zocco | Film maker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Letizia Zocco and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Letizia, how do you think about risk?
To me, risk is inseparable from creativity. Every time I start a new project, I know I’m taking a chance, on the story, on the people I choose to collaborate with, and often, on myself. But I’ve learned that if you believe in your ideas, you have to be willing to invest in them, even when that means going into loss, both financially and emotionally.

I’ve often taken risks by self-funding my projects, knowing I may never earn that money back. But I also know that if I don’t fight for my vision, no one else will. I’ve worked with no guarantees, no security, just the passion and belief that what I’m creating matters.

Choosing a career in filmmaking is, in itself, a huge risk. The chances of failing are far greater than those of succeeding. But I couldn’t ignore the pull I feel toward storytelling. Despite the uncertainty, I chose this path because I know it’s the only thing I truly love and feel I’m meant to do. So yes, I take risks, but for me, they’re necessary. Because without them, I wouldn’t be creating anything at all.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art is driven by emotion. What sets it apart is the way I use visual language, light, color, music, framing, to capture internal, often unspoken feelings. I’m especially drawn to the themes of nostalgia, loss of innocence, and transformation. I like to tell stories that take place in the space between reality and fantasy, where the emotions are heightened and the rules of the real world start to blur.

I come from an artistic background: I studied at an art high school, where I learned to appreciate classical and contemporary visual art, and later earned degrees in Communication and then Filmmaking, first in Milan, and later at the New York Film Academy in Los Angeles. That combination of theory, practice, and cultural exposure gave me the foundation to explore my voice as a filmmaker.

But the journey hasn’t been easy. I don’t come from a family with connections in the industry, and getting my work seen or financed has been a real challenge. I’ve often had to work with extremely limited resources, investing my own money, asking people to work for free, and simply hoping they would believe in the project as much as I did. One of my biggest personal victories was making Unfairy Tale, a short film I wrote, directed, and produced on a student budget. Despite the odds, I managed to build a team and bring the story to life.

Along the way, I’ve learned that persistence is more important than perfection. That vulnerability is a strength. And that the only way to grow as an artist is to take risks, even if it means failing sometimes.

What I want people to know about my work is that it comes from a very honest place. My goal isn’t to impress, but to connect, to make someone feel seen, or less alone, through the stories I tell. I’m still at the beginning of my career, but I’m committed to this path because I know it’s where I belong. I hope to continue creating films that are personal, poetic, and emotionally resonant, and to keep learning and evolving with every step.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Organizing trips is my guilty pleasure!

Day 1
We’d start the day in Brera, one of Milan’s most charming neighborhoods. After a cappuccino at a cozy café, we’d visit the Pinacoteca to soak in some Italian classics. In the evening, instead of a restaurant, I’d organize a dinner at home with my closest friends. We’d cook traditional food together, homemade pasta, tiramisù, and open bottles of good wine. The kind of night where the conversation flows effortlessly, and you forget about the time.

Day 2
We’d explore Milan’s design side with a stop at Triennale or Fondazione Prada, followed by an aperitivo at Bar Luce (Wes Anderson vibes guaranteed). In the evening, we’d go to Arianteo, an outdoor cinema under the stars in a hidden Milanese courtyard,because few things are more magical than watching a film in the summer air.

Day 3
We’d take it slow with a bike ride through Parco Sempione, visit the Castello Sforzesco, and maybe stop by a vintage bookstore. For dinner, we’d go somewhere authentic like Osteria dell’Acquabella and finish with a quiet walk along the Navigli, Milan water canals.

Day 4
Time to escape to the Ligurian coast. We’d take a morning train to Lerici, a picturesque town where my grandparents live. After dropping our bags, we’d walk behind the castle to take in the breathtaking views, go for a swim, and sit down for a seafood pasta right on the water’s edge. The pace of life slows here.

Day 5
We’d rent a small boat and spend the day exploring the colorful villages of the Cinque Terre from the sea. We’d stop wherever we feel like it, swimming in turquoise coves, taking photos, eating prosciutto sandwiches floating in the middle of the water.

Day 6
We’d head to Portovenere and visit the stunning cemetery where some of Italy’s greatest poets rest. It’s a place that feels suspended in time. After a swim, we’d toast with an Aperol Spritz at a seaside bar and watch the sky turn pink. For dinner and dancing, we’d head to Le Barachette, a laid-back bar filled with locals, music, and that end-of-summer kind of energy.

Day 7
On our final day, we’d return to Milan, grab a last espresso, and I’d take her to the airport, probably feeling emotional, but grateful.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Absolutely. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the influence and support of my grandmother. She’s the one who introduced me to art, literature, and cinema from a very young age. Through her bedtime stories, her passion for poetry, and the way she spoke about beauty in everyday things, she shaped my imagination. I will never be able to thank her enough for planting the seed that would eventually grow into my love for storytelling.

I’m also deeply grateful to my parents. Even when they didn’t fully understand this unpredictable and unstable path I chose, they stood by me and supported me the best way they could. Their love and patience have been my foundation.

And of course, I want to thank the friends, collaborators, and mentors who have believed in me and my vision, especially during the making of my short film “Unfairy Tale”, when resources were limited and I didn’t have anything to offer but an idea, they stood by me and trusted in the process. That meant everything.

No creative journey is truly solitary, and mine certainly hasn’t been. I carry all of these voices with me, in everything I do.

Instagram: @occozaizitel

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/letizia-zocco-099503128/

Image Credits
Manon Gaillard
Giorgina Nifosi
Yiyang Jiao
Weijie Liu