Actress, Producer,
and globetrotter, Leila Rusciani, was born in Rome however she s a true TCK (third culture kid) as she grew up in over ten different countries . This incredible lifestyle afforded her to experience many diverse cultures from the sunny and tumultuous Haiti to the fascinating Egypt, learning and becoming fluent in six languages (almost seven now!) and even more importantly adapting to the diverse cultures and ways of life of these amazing places she could call home — traits that serve her well as an accomplished actress.
Leila moved to New York City to follow her longtime dream by attending the prestigious Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in the Two Year Acting Conservatory Program. After barely a year into the program, she became assistant teacher for former NYU Tish faculty member Matthew J. Gregory’s Commedia dell’Arte class where she also served as creative member of the class’ show of the year. With Matthew and other six members, she became one of the founding members of the Commedia dell’arte troupe “Department of Fools”.
She became a recurring cartoon voice-over artist for Audioworks Producers Group dubbing Japanese mangas and Russian cartoons in English, French, Italian and Spanish. Before graduation, Leila scored the supporting role of Diana, alongside Lubna Azabal (The Honorable Woman, Incendies), in L. James Delman's short film “Reprieve”, winner of the Belgian Ramdam Film Festival for Best Short Film.
With her creative outlets now in place Leila soon found another passion: Producing. It naturally allowed her to marry her business acumen (Leila has a bachelor degree in Marketing and International Business from HEC Montreal) and love for film and knowledge of the craft. She very soon produced Sebastian Sdaigui’s short films Raghead and The Girl in The Woods.
In February 2021 Leila produced the short film “Baila bamba” directed by Andrea Walts. Leila is also acting in it alongside Massimiliano Bruno and Marius Bizau. The dark comedy will soon be entering the festival route and the team is looking forward to have it projected in the theatres!
For the past couple of years Leila has been developing the feature film “Palooka”. The short-film version of it is a winning screenplay by Carol Garlick.
Leila is a proud recipient of renowned Italian Director Massimiliano Bruno’s Scholarship for trained actors at the Laboratorio di Arti Sceniche since 2017, and splits her time between New York City and Rome (usually!).
You might have recently seen her on Netflix or Tim Vision as Sana’s mother - the protagonist of the season - in SKAM ITALIA 4.
Leila is represented by Jack and Jill Talent Agency.
