Born in 1956 in Casalmaggiore, he graduated in American literature from the University of Milan.He lives in Turin.
He began working in the field of cinema in the 1970s as a film critic and essayist, at the same time starting a small distribution company to which he owes the circulation in Italy of Fassbinder, Wenders, Wajda and other directors. He works, later, as Italian agent for a number of independent American directors such as John 5ayles, and Jim Jarmusch.
His directorial debut was in 1989 with The End of the Night, judged “Best Independent Film” of the season. He then directed both fictional and documentary works, which gained him great consideration in Italy and were presented at numerous international festivals, from Berlin to Sundance, Venice, Toronto, and Locarno. Among others: Tutti giù per terra, Figli di Annibale, Guardami and works made with Marco Paolini. Most recently, the documentary La strada di Levi (Levi’s Road). Ferrario occupies a singular place within the Italian scene. Strictly independent, he is not only a director but also leads,at the same time, and with remarkable results, his own production company, Rossofuoco. After Midnight, made on a very small budget, was a great success in Italy, and has been sold worldwide. He is also the author of novels; a contributor to newspapers and radio stations; and,recently,a photographer.

FILMOGRAPHY:
Feature films
2009 All Judas’ fault
2004 If I must be honest
2003 After Midnight
1999 Look at me
1998 Sons of Hannibal
1997 All Down to Earth
1994 Flaming Souls
1989 The End of the Night

Documentaries
2006 Levi’s Road
2003 Mondonuovo
2002 End Love Never
2001 The Streets of Genoa
2000 Boundary Line
2000 Anger
1999 Communists
1998 On the Forty-Fifth Parallel
1997 Partisans
1996 Resistant Material
1996 Confidential report
1991 Far from Rome

Short films
1996 Summer in town
1995 In Rimini
1995 Zelig’s son
1987 Don’t feed the animals

Television
2003 Civic Theater
2002 The Tigi in Gibellina
1991 American Supermarket
1990 ColorslLa home