I am an innovative director and artist with a rich background in media and film. I lead high-performing teams, crafting stories that push boundaries and engage audiences, with a focus on human rights and charitable storytelling. I have directed and art-directed virtual productions, created visual concepts for social media, TV, theatre, and installations, and collaborated with illustrators and designers to deliver creative marketing and communications that meet targets and budgets.

Francesca De Bassa

I am an innovative director and artist with a rich background in media and film. I lead high-performing teams, crafting stories that push boundaries and engage audiences, with a focus on human rights and charitable storytelling. I have directed and art-directed virtual productions, created visual concepts for social media, TV, theatre, and installations, and collaborated with illustrators and designers to deliver creative marketing and communications that meet targets and budgets.

Available to hire

I am an innovative director and artist with a rich background in media and film. I lead high-performing teams, crafting stories that push boundaries and engage audiences, with a focus on human rights and charitable storytelling.

I have directed and art-directed virtual productions, created visual concepts for social media, TV, theatre, and installations, and collaborated with illustrators and designers to deliver creative marketing and communications that meet targets and budgets.

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Language

Italian
Fluent
English
Fluent
Spanish; Castilian
Advanced
French
Advanced

Work Experience

Creative Director at Francesca de Bassa Ltd
March 1, 2017 - Present
Independent creative leader; oversaw content strategy and production for media and film projects; built high-performing teams and delivered engaging creative marketing and communications.
Animation Director at Casa del Autor de Zapopan
October 1, 2023 - October 14, 2025
Directed animation for the short film Lotta, contributing to pre-production planning and animation execution; involved storyboarding, visual development, and scene planning.
Head of Video at Howden
March 1, 2022 - October 14, 2025
Led the creative direction for video projects, shaping visual style, tone and narrative; managed end-to-end video production from concept to post-production.
Artist in Residence at Abbey of Fontevraud
March 1, 2017 - October 14, 2025
Designed and animated short films for the winter show at the Abbey; contributed artistic concepts and animation direction for a Virtual Production workflow.
Creative Director at Francesca de Bassa Ltd
March 1, 2017 - Present
Overseas creative content strategy and communication with a focus on storytelling. Independently conceptualized timelines, storyboards and themes for video projects. Helped charities messages be delivered in a creative and engaging way. Maintained department standards in production of media and video projects. Art directed and directed virtual production projects. Set the creatives and production for social media, news, advertisement, TV series, theater and installations. Delivered creative marketing and communications while meeting targets and budgets.
Artist in Residence at Abbey of Fontevraud
March 1, 2017 - October 14, 2025
Designed and animated scenes for the short film Nothing We Say Can Change What We Have Been Through. Designed and animated video mapping for the Abbey winter show.
Artist in Residence at Abbey of Fontevraud
October 1, 2020 - Present
Designed and animated a video mapping film for the winter show at the Abbey; Final Pixel Film and Art Director for Virtual Production.
Creative Director at Francesca de Bassa Ltd
March 1, 2017 - Present
Oversaw creative content strategy and communications with a focus on storytelling; independently conceptualized timelines, storyboards and themes for video projects; art-directed and directed virtual production projects; set the creative direction for social media, news, advertising, TV series, theatre and installations; delivered creative marketing and communications while meeting targets and budgets.
Art Director / Virtual Production Lead at Final Pixel
March 1, 2017 - Present
Contributed to the creative process through original ideas and inspiration; implemented artistic vision to give art purpose and meaning; managed technological considerations to transform and manipulate artwork; developed artistic visual products while working within undefined technical constraints; created pre-visualisation and art concepts with Unreal Engine.
Senior Motion Designer at Freelance / London, UK
March 1, 2017 - October 14, 2025
Worked with illustrators and designers to analyze project objectives, specifications and deadlines. Applied contemporary production design trends to produce visually striking work; studied and maintained style guidelines while producing unique animation creations; trained team members in modern advances in animation and technology.

Education

Master in Curatorial Art for Contemporary Practices at IUAV, Università di Venezia (Istituto Universitario di Architettura di Venezia)
January 11, 2030 - October 14, 2025
Literature and Philosophy at University of Bologna
January 11, 2030 - October 14, 2025
Master in Curatorial Art at IUAV University, Venice
January 11, 2030 - October 14, 2025
Virtual Production at NFTS (National Film and Television School)
January 11, 2030 - October 14, 2025
Film and Animation Studies at Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia, Torino
January 11, 2030 - October 14, 2025
Curatorial Art (Master) at I.U.A.V., Venice
January 11, 2030 - October 14, 2025
Literature and Philosophy at University of Bologna
January 11, 2030 - October 14, 2025
Summa cum laude degree (Theory of tactileism; dissertation on Jan Svankmajer's Conspirators of Pleasure) at University of Bologna
January 11, 2030 - October 14, 2025
Curatorial Art at I.U.A.V. (Venice; exhibitions in Venice and Bologna)
January 11, 2030 - October 14, 2025
NFTS Virtual Production at National Film and Television School (NFTS)
January 11, 2030 - October 14, 2025
Film & Animation at Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia
January 11, 2030 - October 14, 2025

Qualifications

Master in Curatorial Art for Contemporary Practices
January 11, 2030 - October 14, 2025
Best Film & Motion Specialist of the Year 2023
January 11, 2030 - October 14, 2025
Open Workshop – Art Residency 2023
January 11, 2030 - October 14, 2025
Green Steward Certificate
January 11, 2030 - October 14, 2025
AI for Film
January 11, 2030 - October 14, 2025
After Effects for AI - Adobe Firefly
January 11, 2030 - October 14, 2025
NFTS Virtual Production Certification
January 11, 2030 - October 14, 2025
Adobe Firefly Award
January 11, 2030 - October 14, 2025
After Effects for AI
January 11, 2030 - October 14, 2025
Open Workshop Art Residency
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2023

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Education, Other