Francesco de Donatis
Film Composer · Producer · Lecturer · Academic Coordinator
info@francescodedonatis.com Official Website IMDb Master in Film Scoring Salento Productions International Film ScoreFrancesco de Donatis is a composer for films, commercials, documentaries, television, and video games, with over ten years of professional experience and 56 international IMDb film credits as a film composer. He is known for composing music for more than 300 television commercials for both the American and Italian markets, collaborating with brands, productions, and international audiovisual companies.
🎬 Professional Profile
🏆 Awards & Recognition
2020
Original score for Memoria Nueva directed by Stefano Petroni, an award-winning documentary recognized at the Ferrara Film Festival, FFF Earth, Ariano International Film Festival AIFF Green 2020, Around Film Festival Barcelona, and Ventotene Film Festival.
Original score for Memoria Nueva directed by Stefano Petroni, an award-winning documentary recognized at the Ferrara Film Festival, FFF Earth, Ariano International Film Festival AIFF Green 2020, Around Film Festival Barcelona, and Ventotene Film Festival.
2015
“Best of Fest” Award at the Colorado Environmental Film Festival for the BBC documentary Time Capsule directed by Chris Summerfield, Los Angeles / USA.
“Best of Fest” Award at the Colorado Environmental Film Festival for the BBC documentary Time Capsule directed by Chris Summerfield, Los Angeles / USA.
2012
Original score for the Mediaset documentary Jet Set – When the Airport Looked Like Via Veneto directed by Antonello Sarno, winner at the Rome Film Festival 2012 and screened on Alitalia flights from March 2013.
Original score for the Mediaset documentary Jet Set – When the Airport Looked Like Via Veneto directed by Antonello Sarno, winner at the Rome Film Festival 2012 and screened on Alitalia flights from March 2013.
2012
First Prize at the Contursi Film Festival for the soundtrack of the short film Faccia da ladro directed by Alessandro Palminiello, Rossellini Production, Rome.
First Prize at the Contursi Film Festival for the soundtrack of the short film Faccia da ladro directed by Alessandro Palminiello, Rossellini Production, Rome.
📺 Commercials, Brands & Advertising Work
He has composed music for more than 300 television commercials for both the American and Italian markets, collaborating with international brands, campaigns, and production companies.
🎓 Teaching & Academic Coordination
2025 – Present
Lecturer in Applied Music for Visual Media (CODC/02) at the Domenico Cimarosa Conservatory of Avellino.
Lecturer in Applied Music for Visual Media (CODC/02) at the Domenico Cimarosa Conservatory of Avellino.
2022 – Present
Lecturer in Film Scoring / Applied Music for Visual Media (CODC/02) at the Tito Schipa Conservatory of Lecce, Pop-Rock Department.
Lecturer in Film Scoring / Applied Music for Visual Media (CODC/02) at the Tito Schipa Conservatory of Lecce, Pop-Rock Department.
2025 – Present
University Lecturer and Academic Coordinator at IUL Online University, First-Level Master’s Program in Film Scoring and Film Production (60 ECTS).
University Lecturer and Academic Coordinator at IUL Online University, First-Level Master’s Program in Film Scoring and Film Production (60 ECTS).
2017 – Present
President and Legal Representative of International Film Score ETS. Lecturer in film music programs.
President and Legal Representative of International Film Score ETS. Lecturer in film music programs.
2022 – 2025
Academic Coordinator and Lecturer, Online Master in Film Scoring, Oxford Group, Lecce.
Academic Coordinator and Lecturer, Online Master in Film Scoring, Oxford Group, Lecce.
2023 – 2024
Academic Coordinator and Lecturer, Master in Film Scoring, CSAD Group, Bari, funded by PassLaureati Regione Puglia.
Academic Coordinator and Lecturer, Master in Film Scoring, CSAD Group, Bari, funded by PassLaureati Regione Puglia.
2022 – 2023
Academic Coordinator and Lecturer, Master in Film Scoring, British School, Maglie.
Academic Coordinator and Lecturer, Master in Film Scoring, British School, Maglie.
2022 – 2023
Academic Coordinator and Lecturer, Master in Film Production, British School, Maglie.
Academic Coordinator and Lecturer, Master in Film Production, British School, Maglie.
2022 – 2023
Academic Coordinator, Master in Creative Writing, British School, Maglie.
Academic Coordinator, Master in Creative Writing, British School, Maglie.
2019 – 2022
Academic Coordinator and Lead Lecturer, Master in Film Scoring, ADSUM Formazione d’Eccellenza, Lecce.
Academic Coordinator and Lead Lecturer, Master in Film Scoring, ADSUM Formazione d’Eccellenza, Lecce.
2019 – 2022
Coordinator and Lecturer in Film Audio Editing within the Master in Film Production, ADSUM Formazione d’Eccellenza.
Coordinator and Lecturer in Film Audio Editing within the Master in Film Production, ADSUM Formazione d’Eccellenza.
2020 – 2022
Academic Coordinator, Master in Creative Writing, ADSUM Formazione d’Eccellenza.
Academic Coordinator, Master in Creative Writing, ADSUM Formazione d’Eccellenza.
2018 – 2019
Academic Coordinator and Lead Lecturer, Master in Music Composition for Film, Commercials, Documentaries and Video Games, eCampus University.
Academic Coordinator and Lead Lecturer, Master in Music Composition for Film, Commercials, Documentaries and Video Games, eCampus University.
🎥 Production & Film House
Founder of Salento Productions, a film production company where he works as both film producer and film composer, producing commercials and short films presented at the European Film Festival.
🎼 Film Composer – Selected Projects
2025
Le Terre Incolte directed by Mattia De Pascali – Bianco Production.
Le Terre Incolte directed by Mattia De Pascali – Bianco Production.
2024
Fardelli directed by Clarizio Di Ciaula – Giuliani Produzioni.
Fardelli directed by Clarizio Di Ciaula – Giuliani Produzioni.
2023–2024
Gaia directed by Vincenzo D’Arpe – Scirocco Productions.
Gaia directed by Vincenzo D’Arpe – Scirocco Productions.
2023
The Flight of Arachne, directed by Angelo Stamerra Grassi – Mati Productions.
The Flight of Arachne, directed by Angelo Stamerra Grassi – Mati Productions.
2019 – Present
Memoria Nueva, Sextortion, Xylella / Save the Olives campaigns, and Castel di Salve – Stefano Petroni / Petroni Production, London.
Memoria Nueva, Sextortion, Xylella / Save the Olives campaigns, and Castel di Salve – Stefano Petroni / Petroni Production, London.
2019
The Massive Spectacular – The Massive Spectacular Theater, Las Vegas.
The Massive Spectacular – The Massive Spectacular Theater, Las Vegas.
2018
Enemies, theatrical production by Robert Stainer – Broadway Musical Theater Academy, Bari.
Enemies, theatrical production by Robert Stainer – Broadway Musical Theater Academy, Bari.
2016
Mediaset documentary feature for Le Iene about Vaporart, journalist Matteo Viviani.
Mediaset documentary feature for Le Iene about Vaporart, journalist Matteo Viviani.
2019
Mediaset television campaign for Le Iene and ANAFE featuring Matteo Viviani.
Mediaset television campaign for Le Iene and ANAFE featuring Matteo Viviani.
2016
The Brink directed by Louisa Marie Juckes – Manchester, UK.
The Brink directed by Louisa Marie Juckes – Manchester, UK.
2015
Ultimate Black Sheep directed by Alex Freke-Murin – Manchester, UK.
Ultimate Black Sheep directed by Alex Freke-Murin – Manchester, UK.
2015
Time Capsule directed by Chris Summerfield – BBC / Colorado Environmental Film Festival.
Time Capsule directed by Chris Summerfield – BBC / Colorado Environmental Film Festival.
2013
Video game Operation Overclock by Jeffrey Chau – Los Angeles.
Video game Operation Overclock by Jeffrey Chau – Los Angeles.
2011–2013
Television campaigns for Peugeot Europcar, Unione Italiana, and Palazzo Regina Margherita – Combocut Film, Milan.
Television campaigns for Peugeot Europcar, Unione Italiana, and Palazzo Regina Margherita – Combocut Film, Milan.
2012
Jet Set – When the Airport Looked Like Via Veneto directed by Antonello Sarno – Mediaset.
Jet Set – When the Airport Looked Like Via Veneto directed by Antonello Sarno – Mediaset.
2012
Faccia da ladro directed by Alessandro Palminiello – Rossellini Productions, Rome.
Faccia da ladro directed by Alessandro Palminiello – Rossellini Productions, Rome.
2012
Palindrome directed by Ryan Cultrera – Smalltown Picture, Los Angeles.
Palindrome directed by Ryan Cultrera – Smalltown Picture, Los Angeles.
2012–2013
Coriolanus directed by Richard Canal Tinus – Boston.
Coriolanus directed by Richard Canal Tinus – Boston.
2010
Spanish commercial Blackswan directed by Oscar Padi – Global Fashion Factory, Valencia.
Spanish commercial Blackswan directed by Oscar Padi – Global Fashion Factory, Valencia.
2010
National documentary Don Tonino Bello – The Story of a Man directed by Alessandro Torsello.
National documentary Don Tonino Bello – The Story of a Man directed by Alessandro Torsello.
🌍 International Experience
📚 Education & Training
- 2015–2016 – Master of Arts in Music Composition, University of Salford, Manchester, with Distinction, scholarship recipient, EQF Level 8, 120 CFA.
- 2012–2015 – Bachelor of Arts in Film Scoring with Minor in Music for Video Games, Berklee College of Music, Boston, Summa Cum Laude, scholarship recipient, EQF Level 7.
- 2022–2024 – Master’s Degree in Applied Music for Visual Media (CODC/02), Conservatory Francesco Venezze of Rovigo, graduated with honors (110/110 cum laude), EQF Level 8.
- 2024–2026 – Master’s Degree in Sound Design for Film (CODC/02), Conservatory Francesco Venezze of Rovigo, graduated with honors (110/110 cum laude), EQF Level 8.
- 2021–2022 – Master in Film Scoring, Conservatory Francesco Venezze of Rovigo, EQF Level 8.
- 2022–2023 – Master in Music Composition for Video Games, Conservatory Santa Cecilia, Rome.
- 2006–2011 – Diploma in Classical Singing, Conservatory Nino Rota, Monopoli, EQF Level 8.
- 2020–2021 – Certificate of Specialization in Film Orchestration and Arranging, Hollywood Music Workshop, Los Angeles, EQF Level 8.
- 2006–2009 – Film Music Composition Studies, Accademia Chigiana, Siena, EQF Level 8.
- 1996–2001 – Classical High School Diploma, Marcelline Institute, Lecce.
🌐 Languages
- Italian: Native speaker.
- English: C2 in listening, reading, spoken production, spoken interaction, and writing.
- Spanish: A2 in listening, reading, spoken production, and spoken interaction; A1 in writing.
⚙️ Technical Skills
📜 Certifications & Qualifications
- 2020 – Interactive Multimedia Whiteboard (L.I.M.) Certification, Uni-C.A.R.I.F.
- 2020 – ECDL IT Security Certification, AICA.
- 2020 – Educational Tablet Certification, Uni-C.A.R.I.F.
- 2020 – P.E.K.I.T. Certification, Fondazione Onlus Sviluppo Europa.
- 2017–2018 – 24 ECTS in Anthropology, Psychology, Pedagogy, Teaching Methodologies and Educational Technologies, eCampus University.
- 2007–2011 – Intermediate Diploma in Composition, Conservatory Nino Rota of Monopoli.
- 2002–2005 – University Examinations in Musical Heritage, University of Lecce: History of Musical Instruments, Musical Aesthetics, Film History and Criticism, Ethnomusicology, History of Film Music, Harmony and Counterpoint, Medieval and Renaissance Music History, Musical Acoustics.