ABOUT christian

Christian Azzola is a filmmaker based in Kent, United Kingdom, and the founder of MADGIO FILMS. Since establishing the production company in 2022, he has developed a distinctive body of original short films that blend everyday life with unsettling themes, combining striking visuals, atmospheric storytelling and psychological tension.

His work frequently draws inspiration from the Kent landscape and local communities, exploring themes of rural isolation, human relationships and the darker undercurrents of ordinary life. With influences ranging from social realism to folk horror and psychological drama, his films are characterised by an intimate approach to storytelling, a strong visual identity and an interest in what lies beneath the surface.

SCREENWRITING

Christian co-wrote Sing (Mindenki) with Bex Harvey, the Hungarian short film directed by Kristóf Deák which won the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film at the 2017 Oscars.

Originally developed as an English-language screenplay by Christian Azzola and Bex Harvey, the story was subsequently adapted into Hungarian by Kristóf Deák, who also received a writing credit. The film went on to achieve international recognition, winning one of cinema's most prestigious awards.

DIRECTING AND FILM WORK

In 2025, Christian directed Lovebirds, a six-minute romantic drama exploring screen addiction, emotional disconnection and the possibility of reconnection. Written by Sing co-writer Bex Harvey, the film premiered at the Screen Ashford Short Film Competition and went on to receive selections and recognition at festivals including the Rob Knox Film Festival, Heart of Gold International Short Film Festival, Dorking Film Festival, Birmingham Film Festival, the BIFA-accredited Ramsgate International Film & TV Festival and Margate Film Festival. Its festival journey concluded at the inaugural Kent on Film Festival.

His other recent productions include MY MOTHER SAID (2023), THE CROSSING (2024), EYES TURNED SKYWARD (2024) and ROSE (2025), each contributing to an increasingly diverse portfolio of independent short films.

His latest award-winning production, TRIGGERED (2026), is currently completing its festival run. The film is the final instalment in his KENT QUARTET collection of short films, an interconnected body of work exploring rural isolation, folk horror and psychological unease through stories rooted in the Kent landscape.

CREATIVE APPROACH

Whether working with an established crew or creating films on a micro-budget, Christian's approach remains centred on telling emotionally engaging stories with a distinctive visual identity.

His films often communicate through atmosphere, imagery and silence, allowing performances, locations and subtle details to carry emotional weight. He is particularly interested in the tension between the familiar and the unsettling, finding cinematic possibilities in everyday settings and ordinary human experiences.

Alongside developing original projects through MADGIO FILMS, Christian is keen to expand his directing work and collaborate with other filmmakers and creative talent, particularly on projects rooted in folk horror, psychological drama and emotionally driven storytelling.