Francesco hails from New Jersey, where he lives with his husband Gil and works as an Assistant Professor of English Writing and Film. He received a PhD In Italian Studies with a concentration in film in 2014. In 2015, he edited Dreamscapes in Italian Cinema (FDU Press), an anthology that examines the oneiric realm in Italian film history, and he has since then published book chapters and essays on filmic representations of motherhood, mourning, and identity. In 2020, he edited The Spaces and Places of Horror (Vernon), an anthology that explores the complex horizon of landscapes in horror film culture to better understand the use that the genre makes of settings, locations, spaces, and places, be they physical, imagined, or altogether imaginary. His latest book, the first English translation of Porpora Marcasciano’s Antologaia, was released in October 2023. Unsurprisingly, he is a huge film nerd, his main interests being modern and contemporary horror film, Hallyu and contemporary Korean cinema, and contemporary queer cinema. His interest in Eurovision took hold in 1990, when he was residing in Italy and Toto Cutugno won the contest, and it finally became a fully realized obsession in 1991, when Eurovision traveled to Rome. He is a Swedish pop enthusiast, and his favorite winner is Loreen’s “Tattoo” which, according to Spotify, he streamed 340 times in 2023. While not particularly religious, he believes in spreading the gospel of Eurovision, which is the only form of proselytizing he supports and actively practices.
Anthony is a theatre artist and educator living in San Diego with his husband, Tom, and his impressive media collection. He is a proud guncle to a cadre of amazing kiddos. As Producing Director of Backyard Renaissance Theatre Company he has directed and performed several many times and is grateful to have it as an artistic home base. Being a huge horror buff, Halloween fanatic, and haunted event geek, his spooky season runs from July 5th through October 31st, thank you very much. Queer culture and history are also at the core of his interests, so he can be usually found trying to give a queer reading to dang near anything. Other interests include theme parks, drag, Dolly Parton, pop culture, kitsch, Tori Amos, and, last but not even close to least, Eurovision. After falling in love with Benjamin Ingrosso performing “Dance You Off” when Bravo randomly broadcast the contest that one year, little did he know that the majority of the music that he would consume five years later would be Eurovision adjacent. As an Xennial, he is grateful to find a new passion as he stares down middle age. His favorite ESC winner is Loreen’s “Euphoria” because he’s a proud sucker for Swedish pop. Starting ESC Etc. in 2023 with his friend and favorite little muffuletta Cesco was a way for him to celebrate and explore the cultural history and impact of the contest he loves so much, while looking at it through a uniquely queer lens. Oh, and he’s a Pisces born in the Year of the Monkey, which tells you just about all you need to know right there.
ESC Etc. 