SMS Faculty Member John Peter Didato was Awarded a Grant by The Italian American Film Forum
The Italian American Film Forum has awarded Professor John Peter Didato a prestigious grant for a documentary that profiles Italian Americans who have contributed to the production of Sesame Street. Spearheaded by directors Anthony and Joe Russo (The Avengers: Infinity War & The Avengers: Endgame) the Russo Brothers Italian American Film Forum is an initiative to fund films depicting and exploring the Italian American experience for the benefit of future generations. Over its 50-year history, many Italian American performers, writers, camera operators, producers and researchers have contributed to Sesame Street’s mission to create television that is not only fun but also educational. Some of these people have worked for decades on the television show or at the parent company, Sesame Workshop. The documentary discusses their heritage, their history and their involvement in the process of making the longest-running children’s program in American history. Their contributions to the development, writing, and production of Sesame Street have brought the life-changing benefits of early education to generations of kids around the world.