Sydney Sibilia

Sydney Sibilia (; born 19 November 1981) is an Italian filmmaker. He is the recipient of various accolades, including two Nastri d'argento and two Globi d'oro.

He rose to prominence with his debut feature, I Can Quit Whenever I Want (2014), which achieved critical and commercial success, being nominated for three David di Donatello, two Ciak d'oro, two Globo d'oro, and leading to two sequels. After co-founding italian production company Groenlandia, Sibilia has continued to explore themes of ambition and rebellion in films such as the Netflix original Rose Island (2020), which earned him the Globo d'oro, and Mixed by Erry (2023), which has been nominated for the David di Donatello and the Globo d'oro, and won the Nastro d'argento. In addition to film, Sibilia has directed the Sky series Accidentally Famous: The Story of 883 (2024), which was well-received in Italy.

Career Sydney Sibilia, originally from Salerno, began his career directing short films, notably Oggi gira così (2010), written with Valerio Attanasio and produced by Ascent Film. The short won several awards, including the SIAE award for Best Screenplay.

After relocating to Rome in 2007, he directed commercials for major campaigns, including Wind and Fox Crime, while simultaneously developing his debut feature film, I Can Quit Whenever I Want (Smetto quando voglio). Released in February 2014, the film—produced by Fandango, Ascent Film, and Rai Cinema—was a critical and commercial success, earning twelve David di Donatello nominations and awards like the Nastro d'argento for Best Producer and the Ciak d'oro for Sibilia as Revelation of the Year.

The film’s success led to two sequels: I Can Quit Whenever I Want: Masterclass (2017) and I Can Quit Whenever I Want: Ad Honorem (2017), both produced by Groenlandia, the production company Sibilia co-founded with Matteo Rovere. These projects solidified Sibilia’s reputation as a filmmaker blending humor and social commentary.

In 2020, Sibilia directed Rose Island, a Netflix original film based on the true story of the Republic of Rose Island. The movie was acclaimed for its unique storytelling and themes of rebellion and freedom.

Sibilia’s subsequent project, Mixed by Erry, released in 2024, chronicles the rise and fall of Enrico Frattasio, a pivotal figure in the Italian music piracy scene of the 1990s. Produced by Groenlandia, the film reflects Sibilia's ongoing interest in stories of ambition and unconventional success.

Personal life Since 2019, Sydney Sibilia has been in a relationship with actress Greta Scarano. The couple married in 2021.

Filmography Film Year Title Note 2005 Iris Blu Short film 2010 Oggi gira così Short film 2014 I Can Quit Whenever I Want Debut feature 2017 I Can Quit Whenever I Want: Masterclass 2017 I Can Quit Whenever I Want: Ad Honorem 2017 Io sì, tu no Short film 2020 Rose Island 2023 Mixed by Erry

Television Year Title Note 2024 Accidentally Famous: The Story of 883 TV series

Awards and nominations Ciak d'oro Year Category Nominated work Result 2014 Revelation of the Year I Can Quit Whenever I Want 2014 Best Screenplay I Can Quit Whenever I Want

David di Donatello Year Category Nominated work Result 2014 Best Film I Can Quit Whenever I Want 2014 David di Donatello for Best New Director I Can Quit Whenever I Want 2024 Best Adapted Screenplay Mixed by Erry

Globo d'oro Year Category Nominated work Result 2014 Best Comedy I Can Quit Whenever I Want 2014 Best Film I Can Quit Whenever I Want 2021 Best Comedy Rose Island 2023 Best Comedy Mixed by Erry

Nastro d'argento Year Category Nominated work Result 2014 Best Comedy I Can Quit Whenever I Want 2014 Best New Director I Can Quit Whenever I Want 2021 Best Comedy Rose Island 2023 Best Comedy Mixed by Erry