Maurizio Sciarra was born in Bari in 1955 and first worked as a press photographer. For many years he worked as first assistant director with the well-known Italian director Luigi Comencini, who he recognizes as his "Maestro". He directed both features films and documentaries, most of them were shown in main international film festivals. With "Off to the revolution by a 2CV" he won the Golden Leopard in Locarno Film Festival (2001) and other 3 prizes. From August 2006 to June 2008 has been member of the board of Istituto Luce, the most important Italian public film company. He participated in founding "Venice Days". Member of "100autori", the important Italian authors association, he was member of the EC of FERA (Federation of European Film Directors) from November 2010 to September 2017. From February 2015 to February 2019 he was the President of Apulia Film Commission