Creative video editor and visual storyteller with a background in performing arts, delivering high-end edits for luxury fashion and global brands. Specializes in narrative pacing, cinematic color grading in DaVinci Resolve, advanced audio sync, and motion/VFX integration to elevate both commercial and documentary content. Award-winning filmmaker and content creator with experience across social media campaigns (TikTok/Instagram Reels/YouTube Shorts) and international film festivals. Proficient end-to-end from raw footage to final delivery with organized remote workflows, and increasingly leveraging generative AI tools (e.g., Veo 3) to support cutting-edge creative pipelines.

CRISTIANO BENUSSI

Creative video editor and visual storyteller with a background in performing arts, delivering high-end edits for luxury fashion and global brands. Specializes in narrative pacing, cinematic color grading in DaVinci Resolve, advanced audio sync, and motion/VFX integration to elevate both commercial and documentary content. Award-winning filmmaker and content creator with experience across social media campaigns (TikTok/Instagram Reels/YouTube Shorts) and international film festivals. Proficient end-to-end from raw footage to final delivery with organized remote workflows, and increasingly leveraging generative AI tools (e.g., Veo 3) to support cutting-edge creative pipelines.

Available to hire

Creative video editor and visual storyteller with a background in performing arts, delivering high-end edits for luxury fashion and global brands. Specializes in narrative pacing, cinematic color grading in DaVinci Resolve, advanced audio sync, and motion/VFX integration to elevate both commercial and documentary content.

Award-winning filmmaker and content creator with experience across social media campaigns (TikTok/Instagram Reels/YouTube Shorts) and international film festivals. Proficient end-to-end from raw footage to final delivery with organized remote workflows, and increasingly leveraging generative AI tools (e.g., Veo 3) to support cutting-edge creative pipelines.

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Language

English
Advanced
Italian
Fluent

Work Experience

Lead Videographer | High-Profile Event & Content Project at Ryan Holiday / Daily Stoic Media (Special Contract)
June 30, 2026 - July 12, 2026
Spearheaded on-location videography and high-end post-production for internationally bestselling author and media creator Ryan Holiday during his 50k endurance run project in Rome. • Executed rapid-turnaround video capture, narrative pacing, color grading, and audio polish at a premium $80/hr tier with 5-star client endorsement. • Managed high-stress, dynamic event shooting and delivered polished visual assets optimized for high-visibility global media channels.
Senior Cinematic Video Editor & Creative Director at Independent / Global Clients (Upwork Top Rated)
February 1, 2026 - Present
Managed and executed high-end post-production for global B2B clients, earning Top Rated status with a 100% Job Success Rate. • Delivered high-retention video edits, commercial fashion blueprints, and specialized color grading for high-profile clients. • Directed and produced cutting-edge AI music videos and concept visualizers with 5.0-star client endorsements. • Oversaw end-to-end post-production pipelines in DaVinci Resolve Studio, including audio restoration, dialogue editing, and master delivery.
Luxury & Commercial Video Editor at London Alley Collaboration / Independent Spec
August 30, 2024 - September 6, 2025
Spearheaded post-production and editing for luxury commercial spec projects and high-end brand assets. • Edited BTS social media campaigns for global luxury beauty brand Milani. • Produced spec commercial visual concepts for Versace Eyewear, applying high-fashion framing, rhythm, and color science. • Applied high-end lighting knowledge directly to DaVinci Resolve Studio color grading workflows.
Generative AI Video Director & Consultant at Google AI Film Awards / Independent AI Projects
July 3, 2024 - Present
Pioneered professional AI filmmaking workflows bridging Generative AI tools with traditional cinematic post-production. • Recognized as a Top 20 Global Finalist at the Google AI Film Awards for the AI-driven narrative film "A.EYE". • Engineered custom workflows using Veo3 and Whisk integrated with DaVinci Resolve (Fusion VFX) to eliminate temporal glitches and elevate commercial visualizers.
Lead Video Editor & Content Strategist at Balley Platform / teatroBlu Company
November 9, 2023 - August 10, 2024
Managed high-impact video content strategy and social media post-production across platform channels. • Optimized video formats specifically for high-retention on TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts. • Structured pacing, sound design, and visual engagement to maximize organic reach and audience retention.
Award-Winning Film Director & Post-Production Lead at Independent / Ministry of Culture (MiC) / Venice Biennale
September 12, 2021 - Present
Directed and edited narrative short films and documentaries backed by prestigious institutions and international festivals. • Venice Film Festival (79th Biennale Cinema): Winner for CAMPARI of the 'Red Passion Movie Contest' with the film "Daimon". • Ministry of Culture (MiC): Lead editor and director for narrative projects funded by the Italian Government. • Global Distribution: Directed "Il Quarto Angelo", acquired for worldwide distribution by Tersite Film.

Education

Cinematic Arts & Advanced Post-Production at MiC (Ministry of Culture) & Roma Lazio Film Commission
December 20, 2023 - November 30, 2024

Qualifications

Venice Film Festival (79th Biennale Cinema): Winner for CAMPARI of the 'Red Passion Movie Contest' ("Daimon")
September 9, 2022 - September 12, 2022
Google AI Film Awards: Top Global Finalist for the AI-driven narrative short "A.EYE"
December 20, 2025 - January 10, 2026
TIM TaoBuk Festival (Taormina): Winner for Excellence in Digital Storytelling & Cinematic Vision
July 28, 2024 - August 10, 2024
BZ 48H Film Festival: Double Winner – Audience Award & Young Jury Award ("SCATTA")
October 8, 2025 - November 2, 2025
Google Ads Video Certification: Certified Video Specialist
August 6, 2026 - August 6, 2026

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Other
    Commercial Ads, Spot & High-Retention Social Content Reel

    A curated showcase of high-retention video editing, color grading, and creative direction for commercial spots, music videos, and digital social campaigns (Instagram Reels, TikTok, YouTube).

    Highlights & Capabilities:
    • High-Retention Pacing: Dynamic cuts, strong visual hooks, and rhythmic editing designed for high engagement and conversion.
    • Music Videos & Visualizers: Stylized editing, audio sync, and visual storytelling for independent record labels and artists.
    • Luxury & Commercial Standards: High-end visual treatment, color grading, and polish (including spec and campaign work for brands like Versace and Milani).
    • Complete post-production executed in DaVinci Resolve Studio (Color Grading, FX, and Sound Design).

    Watch the full reel below:

    Generative AI Commercial & Narrative Reel

    A showcase of cutting-edge Generative AI workflows integrated with professional post-production for commercial teasers, music video visualizers, and speculative brand campaigns.

    Credentials & Highlights:
    • Google AI Film Awards Top Global Finalist for the AI-driven narrative film “A.EYE”.
    • Advanced prompt engineering and video generation using next-gen tools (Veo3, NanoBanana2, Higgsfield).
    • Post-production cleanup, temporal stabilization, color pipelines, and sound design executed natively in DaVinci Resolve Studio.

    Watch the full reel below:

    Cinematic Directing, Editing & Color Grading Reel

    A curated showcase of cinematic directing, narrative editing, filmic color grading, and custom sound design for short films, documentaries, and high-end commercial spots.

    Credentials & Highlights:
    • Venice Film Festival Winner (Director & Editor for CAMPARI with the film “Daimon”).
    • Lead Director and Editor for narrative projects funded by the Italian Ministry of Culture (MiC).
    • Complete end-to-end vision and post-production executed in DaVinci Resolve Studio (narrative direction, filmic color pipelines, dialogue restoration, and atmospheric sound design).

    Watch the full reel below: