ITV_roberta

THE INTERVIEW

December, 2025

ROBERTA SPARTA

DIRECTORS OF I’M IN LOVE

BEST POSTER

Roberta, tell us a bit more about yourself. Where does your desire to be a director come from?

I started as actress in Italy, many years ago. I moved from Italy to LA in 2010 to study acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and had a successful career that peaked in 2021 with the role of “Celly Organa” in Obi Wan Kenobi for Disney +. I was the first actress to play the role of Celly Organa and the first Italian actress ever to be in the franchise. After the pandemic hit, all casting moved to self-tape and the lack of human connection with Casting Directors and Producers drove me a bit away from the industry. So I decided to move behind the camera.

What is your background?

I started as 1st Assistant Director and it turned out I had a pretty good instinct for scheduling…but my curious mind pushed me forward and I quickly moved to producer. I have successfully produced over 30 titles between feature films, series and videos in the spam of less than 2 years. While working with Havilah, she offered me the opportunity to step into a Director role, and I wholeheartedly said yes. We have a very special friendship and creative bond. Directing her spoken album track debut “I’m In Love” was a magical experience filled with collaborative spirit and creative support.

What were your references for I’m In Love?

References were poetic, golden hour, beautiful imagery. I instantly knew what location I wanted to shoot at. Havilah’s vision was already so clear, that I added on my creative mind and my producer brain. Once I listened to the track, the flow of images and visuals came naturally and it was all fueled by my collaboration with Havilah.

Havilah you won Best Poster at the RED Movie Awards, what does that mean to you?

It’s always an honor to have a project that you wrote, produced and star in be recognized in such an outstanding way by other industry professionals. I brought together a team who could execute the vision on every level, from the cinematic translation of a poetic spoken word album to the big screen… all the way to the luxurious fine art feel of the movie poster, it all leaves a powerful, impactful impression. The poster is the first introduction most people see, welcoming them into the transformative journey they will experience with this film. I am grateful that our team is being recognized for their passionate & important work on this project. It means a lot.

Rick, The film’s poster is striking and evocative. Could you tell us about the creative process behind it? What references or techniques did you draw on to visually represent the film’s message and tone?

I’m a creative by heart but an advertiser by trade, so I love blending mediums in ways that are both artistic and strategic. For this poster, I really did my homework, diving into Havilah’s vision, her emotional connection to the piece, and how the audience needed to experience it. Every element was crafted to honor the message, evoke a response, and build awareness with intention. Being able to use my art and creativity to connect with people is already a gift, but to be recognized and valued as a contributor of art in any capacity just melts my heart. It honestly means the world to me.

”I’m in Love” is described as a spoken word cinematic experience a love letter to the self. How did you approach translating such intimate and emotional poetry into visual language as a director?

I spoke with Havilah, I listened to what her creative visual inspiration was and images literally started flowing. The locations were key to the story, I leaned into extreme close-up shots to build an intimate, close connection with our hero. I wanted to stay tight to keep the audience more involved and make them a part of the discovery journey we embark on throughout the piece.

You’ve produced major projects across genres, but this directorial piece feels especially personal and poetic. What was the most challenging or liberating part of stepping into the director’s seat for a project like this?

The most liberating part was being able to express myself with images, colors and movement. As a producer I operate with my rational brain and in creating this project I was able to lean into my creative vision and let my heart speak as well.

Can you tell us about your production method, are you produced or self-produced?

Havilah and I produced it together. We brought all our resources and connections together. My husband was the cinematographer; our friends were crew and even location owners. It was a true labor of love all around!

What is your next project?

We did not have a flower shop, and that was a pivot scene in the film. So I called a flower shop that was close by our first location. I explained what we wanted to do and why. The shop owner, Ali, listened and opened his shop and heart to our project. It was a testament to the power of speaking and asking for support from a place of love and inspiration. I am in pre-production with a very powerful movie based on a remarkable woman’s true story. I wish I could say more… so stay tuned!