The Francis Kaufmann Scandal and Minister Giuli’s Senate Pledge: “No More Fantasy Films”
In July 2025, a scandal involving U.S. citizen Francis Charles Kaufmann, accused of double murder and fraudulent film financing, rocked the Italian film industry, leading to significant repercussions, including the resignation of a key cultural official and a bold statement from Italian Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli in the Senate: “No more fantasy films.” This phrase, often misquoted or misinterpreted as “never more ghost movies,” refers to Giuli’s commitment to ending the funding of non-existent film projects, not a literal ban on ghost-themed movies.
The Kaufmann Case: Fraud and Murder Allegations
Francis Charles Kaufmann, a 46-year-old Californian operating under the alias Rexal Ford, was arrested on June 13, 2025, on the Greek island of Skiathos, accused of murdering his 28-year-old partner, Anastasia Trofimova, and their 11-month-old daughter, Andromeda, whose bodies were found in Rome’s Villa Pamphili park on June 7. Kaufmann, who posed as a film producer, had secured a €863,595 ($996,112) tax credit from the Italian Ministry of Culture in 2020 for a film project titled Stelle della Notte (Stars of the Night), which was never produced. Using a fake passport and his alias, Kaufmann applied for the credit through his company, Tintagel Films, in partnership with Rome-based Coevolutions, which controlled the funds disbursed in November 2023.
Investigations revealed that Kaufmann’s producer credits were largely fabricated. His IMDb profile, under aliases like Rexal Ford and Matteo Capozzi, listed involvement in films such as All the Money in the World (2017) and The Ornithologist (2016), but producers of these projects confirmed he had no connection to them. Additionally, Coevolutions had secured €4 million in tax credits for 13 films, only one of which was completed, raising questions about the integrity of Italy’s film tax credit system. Kaufmann, now in Rome’s Rebibbia prison awaiting trial, denies the murder charges but has declined to answer questions without a lawyer.
Minister Giuli’s Senate Address: “No More Fantasy Films”
The scandal prompted the resignation of Nicola Borrelli, General Director of Cinema and Audiovisual at the Italian Ministry of Culture, on July 3, 2025, after intense scrutiny over the tax credit mismanagement. In a Senate session, Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli addressed the issue, acknowledging systemic flaws in the ministry’s financing processes. He stated, “No more fantasy films,” signaling a commitment to stricter oversight to prevent funding for projects that exist only on paper. This phrase was not a reference to supernatural or ghost-themed movies, as some misinterpretations suggested, but a metaphorical vow to eliminate fraudulent or “fantasy” projects that exploit public funds.
Giuli personally accompanied police to seize documents from the ministry on June 27, emphasizing cooperation with prosecutors. He announced regulatory reforms to tighten the tax credit system, ensuring such abuses would not recur. The scandal also coincided with the resignation of Chiara Sbarigia, head of Cinecittà film studios, amid unrelated conflict-of-interest allegations, further shaking Italy’s film industry.
Context and Misinterpretation
The phrase “never more ghost movies” appears to be a misquotation or misunderstanding of Giuli’s “no more fantasy films” remark, possibly fueled by social media or translation errors. No evidence suggests Giuli or the Italian Senate discussed banning ghost-themed films like Ghost (1990) or other supernatural genres. Instead, the focus was on addressing financial misconduct in film funding. For clarity, ghost movies remain a popular genre globally, with no legislative moves in Italy to restrict them.
Implications and Ongoing Developments
The Kaufmann case has exposed vulnerabilities in Italy’s cultural funding system, prompting a broader review of how tax credits are awarded. Giuli’s reforms aim to restore trust in the process, ensuring funds support legitimate projects. Meanwhile, Kaufmann’s extradition to Italy and upcoming hearings will likely keep the case in the public eye, raising questions about accountability in both the film industry and criminal justice system.
For further details on Italy’s film tax credit reforms, visit the Italian Ministry of Culture’s official website or trusted news sources like The Hollywood Reporter. For updates on the Kaufmann case, follow reputable outlets covering international crime and entertainment news.