11/12/2023 - Cineuropa has lost one of its founding members, a dear friend and colleague

Cineuropa's team is deeply grieved to announce the passing of our esteemed colleague and friend, Andrea D'Aquino, who has passed away at the age of only 55. Cineuropa's director, editor, desk coordinators, writers and translators, along with the board of directors, mourn the loss of someone who was a pioneering developer and a beloved member of our professional family.

More than two decades ago, when Cineuropa was in its nascent stages, the web-development landscape was very different from today. At that time, the luxury of plug-and-play content management systems was non-existent. It was in this challenging environment that Andrea showcased his talents. He painstakingly coded the entire infrastructure of the Cineuropa website by hand, creating our content management system from the ground up – and he did so in four languages. This challenging achievement remains one of a kind, and his work laid the foundation for what Cineuropa would become – a testament to his skill, vision and unwavering dedication.

Even though Andrea's journey with us spanned an impressive 23 years, a period in which he not only contributed to the success of Cineuropa, but also played a crucial role in shaping a positive and vibrant atmosphere within the company, it still feels cruelly short. He was the beating heart of our office, brimming with generosity and tenacity every day – even the most difficult ones.

Without a doubt, it is thanks to his meticulousness and precision that Cineuropa is today one of the most influential websites in the European cinema landscape.

At this challenging time, as we navigate through our loss, we find solace in coming together to support one another and honour Andrea's memory, comforted only by the enduring impact of his work and the warmth of the memories he leaves behind.

Andrea's legacy is not confined to the lines of code he wrote or the pan-European projects he helmed; it is deeply embedded in the lives he touched, the family he adored and the community he helped build. Our deepest sympathies go out to his two children, their mother, his family, and all who had the fortune of being part of his life.

We will miss him greatly, but his spirit will forever remain a guiding force in all that we do.