Ilaria Borrelli

Biography Ilaria Borrelli was born in Naples, Italy, in 1968. She studied piano at the Conservatorio Santa Cecilia in Rome and graduated in 1987. She is a writer, actress, scriptwriter, director, and producer. She has performed in movies, plays, and in French and Italian TV series. Between 1999 and 2007, Borrelli published four novels, Scosse, Luccattmì, Domani si Gira, and Tanto Rumore per Tullia, for which she received critical acclaim and several prestigious literary prizes

As for The Goat (2023), it is a rare, if not unique, case of an Arab production directed by an Italian woman. An 11-year-old pregnant orphan named Hadya has been forced into marriage and becomes the target of a western corporation that seeks to control the only water source in her village. She escapes into the desert with her goat on a journey in search of her father. Borrelli explained that this film aims to question « civilised » western countries – and all of us who live in them – about our role in the appropriation of the natural resources of poorer countries. In April 2026, The goat was screened at the Filmothèque du Quartier latin (fr), a movie theater in Paris. The exceptional nature of this event - organized as part of the World Art Day International Forum, a UNESCO event organized by Guila-Clara Kessous, UNESCO Artist for Peace, an annual international debate aimed at exploring the catalytic role of art in social transformation - was underscored by the participation of Dr. Denis Mukwege, winner of the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize.

Private life Ilaria Borreli was born in Naples, studied in Rome, lived for 9 years in New-York where she studied at NYU and settled in Paris about 2009. She was married to Guido Freddi, filmmaker and musician, with whom she has two children.

Novels Year Original Title Editor English title English language editor (year) Literary prize (year) 1999 Scosse Vittorio ProntiTremblingsClassi (2015)Club Letterario Italiano (2000)Premio Firenze (2000) Premio Prevert (2000) 2002 Luccattmi AvaglianoNA2003 Domani si Gira AvaglianoNA Il Viaggio Infinito (2003)Marengo d'Oro (2003) 2005 Tanto Rumore per Tullia Sperling & KupferNA Filmography

Awards 2019 - Critics' award and Golden Rose of the Canova Club in Rome 2023 - LA Independent Women Film Awards : The Goat - Best narrative