Parish Malfitano is an Italian-Australian writer, director, and producer currently based in London, England. He is the founder of Fantasma Picture House and a graduate of the Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS), where he holds both a Foundation Diploma and a Bachelor of Arts in Screen.
Within just a few years of graduating, Parish wrote, directed, and co-produced his debut feature, βBloodshot Heart,β which esteemed critic Adrian Martin described as a βnational rarity.β This feature has screened at numerous film festivals globally, including its Australian premiere at Revelation Perth International Film Festival, Fantaspoa Film Festival, Cinefantasy Brazil, Chattanooga Film Festival, Salento International Film Festival, Curtas Festival do Imaxinario, Macabro Mexico City, Fantastic Film Festival Australia, Shanghai International Film Festival, Cinequest LA, and Dances With Films Festival LA at the historic TCL Chinese Theatre. The film also had a cinema run at the Ritz in Sydney, the Lido in Melbourne, and various regional cities around Australia, and also streamed on SBS On Demand, one of Australiaβs major national broadcast stations.
Parish was an Assistant Editor on βDead Hands Dig Deepβ (Dir. Jai Love), a haunting feature documentary examining depravity and deep-rooted mental illness. The documentary was highly successful on the festival circuit, notably gaining acceptance into Slamdance, Sydney Underground Film Festival, Dark Mofo, Revelation Fest, and Monster Fest.
Parish directed an opera music video, featuring Soprano Imogen-Faith Malfitano, showcasing his versatility and ambition to explore diverse artistic mediums. He intends to write new theatre pieces, librettos, and stage productions for opera, striving to extend beyond the existing canon.
In 2023, he wrote, directed, and produced the short film, βWorm," which premiered at Cinequest. That same year, he also served as a programmer for the Fantastic Film Festival Australia.β
Parishβs second feature, βSalt Along the Tongue,β a supernatural drama and semi-finalist in Francis Ford Coppolaβs Zoetrope screenplay competition, is currently on the festival circuit, premiering at SXSW Sydney.
He is developing his next feature film set in the United Kingdom, a body-horror, βThe Hous Man of Bellwickβ.