Paolo VirzìToronto Film Festival · The Leisure Seeker
Your English ↔ Italian interpreter in America, when the stakes are high.
A tech-savvy, seasoned conference and legal interpreter with more than 20 years of experience in cinema and culture, politics, business, finance and pharma, in New York, across America and online worldwide.
Discuss an assignment20+ years/Film & culture/Legal & corporate/Diplomacy & institutions/Finance/Pharma/New York and worldwide
What I do
More than words. The right voice, tone and presence.
Interpreting is immediate and human. Whether I am beside a director facing a day of press, in a hearing room, or joining a live program remotely, my job is to make the conversation feel direct, never mediated.
About
Experience you can hear and feel.
Born and educated in 🇮🇹 Italy, I graduated summa cum laude in 1998 from SSLMIT, the renowned School of Interpreting and Translation at the University of Trieste.
Life and work have taken me from 🇫🇷 France, where I lived for three years, to ⚜️ Québec for two, with extensive time living and working in 🇪🇸 Spain, before eventually settling in 🇺🇸 Manhattan, which has been my home for over two decades.
Since then, I have interpreted for world leaders, three Popes, internationally acclaimed filmmakers and actors, international organizations, attorneys, executives and cultural institutions.
As a dual citizen of 🇮🇹 Italy and the 🇺🇸 United States, and a 🇨🇦 Canadian permanent resident, I am legally authorized to work in all three countries.
Living and working across Europe and North America has given me not only native-level command of multiple cultures, but also an instinct for the nuances that shape international communication.
Languages connect people. Trust is what makes communication work.
Professional associations & ethics
Standards that guide every assignment.
I am a member of AIIC and NAJIT, and I abide by the professional standards and ethical principles established by both associations. Their standards shape how I prepare, protect confidentiality, work with clients and colleagues, and deliver every assignment with accuracy, impartiality and care.
MemberInternational Association of Conference Interpreters
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MemberNational Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators
↗Credentials & experience
Download my CV.
Choose the general professional profile or the version focused on courts, depositions, arbitration and legal proceedings.
Paolo SorrentinoThe Hand of God · MoMAA collaboration spanning nearly two decades
Film & Media
When the conversation needs chemistry.
Press junkets, premieres, festivals, Q&As, talent interviews, production meetings and film sets. I understand the pace of the industry, and I know how to preserve personality, humor and spontaneity while cameras are rolling.
- Press days & junketsRoundtables, one-on-one interviews and tightly scheduled media days.
- Festivals & screeningsStage Q&As, premieres, retrospectives, masterclasses and audience questions.
- Production & film setsContinuous liaison interpreting between directors, cast, crew and producers.
- Broadcast & recorded mediaLive television, radio, podcasts, red carpets and on-camera interviews.
Film & media languagesItalian ↔ EnglishFrench → EnglishSpanish → English
For film and culture, I also interpret🇫🇷 French and 🇪🇸 Spanish into English.
Selected collaborations
These photographs are just a few snapshots from more than 20 years working with international directors, actors and creative teams. They are a small selection among many more film and cultural assignments.
Helen MirrenLos Angeles premiere · The Leisure Seeker
Donald SutherlandOn set · The Leisure Seeker
Alice RohrwacherFilm press · Happy as Lazzaro
Nanni MorettiTalk at New York Film Academy - Caro Diario
Jacques AudiardPGA screening · Emilia Pérez
Matteo GarroneFilm press · Gomorrah
Audrey TautouFilm press · Coco Before Chanel
Omar SyRendez-Vous Festival · The Intouchables
Jean-Pierre JeunetTribeca · Amélie
Lucrecia MartelFilm press · The Headless Woman
Marco BellocchioMasterclass during the NYFF
Film sets & awards campaigns
From production to awards season.
My film work often begins long before a premiere and continues through festivals, press tours, guild events and awards campaigns. I know how to move between the intimacy of a film set and the speed and visibility of international publicity.
On set
This Must Be the Place
Paolo Sorrentino’s first English-language film, starring Sean Penn; on-set interpreter during the entire shoot.
The Leisure Seeker
Paolo Virzì’s first English-language feature with Helen Mirren and Donald Sutherland; on-set interpreter.
The Young Pope
Paolo Sorrentino’s first international television series; on-set interpreter for the episodes set in America.
Awards campaigns
The Great Beauty
U.S. promotional and awards-season work for the Academy Award-winning film.
The Hand of God
Press, industry events and awards-campaign interpreting from Telluride to the Oscars.
Nostalgia
U.S. campaign work for Mario Martone’s film.
Emilia Pérez
Awards-season interpreting for Jacques Audiard’s film and talent, from both French and Spanish.
Sirāt
U.S. awards-campaign work for Oliver Laxe’s film.
La Grazia
U.S. awards campaign work supporting Paolo Sorrentino’s film and talent.
Whispered interpreting on set while Paolo Sorrentino, Sean Penn and David Byrne discussed a scene, one of those moments when the interpreter becomes an integral, unobtrusive part of the set.
Culture & public conversations
Ideas deserve their full voice.
Beyond film, I interpret author talks, museum programs, literary festivals, book launches, lectures and public conversations. These events call for rhythm, cultural intelligence and a voice that lets the speaker’s ideas, and personality, come through.
Also from French and Spanish.
Legal interpreting
Precision under pressure.
Confidential, preparation-intensive interpreting for courts, law firms, arbitrations, depositions and cross-border disputes. I work closely with counsel before the assignment to master the record, terminology, names and procedural context without compromising neutrality or the integrity of the proceedings.
Professional qualificationsNew York State Courts certified·U.S. Department of State conference-level
I passed the U.S. Department of State examination at its highest level: conference, which makes me “Professionally Qualified” for Federal Court work. There is no federal certification examination for Italian.
Federal & State Courts
Simultaneous and consecutive interpreting for hearings, conferences and proceedings in federal and state legal settings, with careful attention to courtroom protocol, evidentiary language and the complete record.
Depositions & Sworn Testimony
Complete, neutral rendering of examinations, objections and witness answers for in-person and remote depositions, including technically complex matters and sensitive testimony.
Arbitration & Litigation
Simultaneous and consecutive interpreting for international commercial arbitration, evidentiary hearings, procedural conferences, fact and expert witness examination, and settlement negotiations. Every assignment is backed by meticulous preparation of the case record, pleadings, exhibits and technical terminology to ensure precise, consistent interpretation throughout the proceedings.
Law Firms & Client Conferences
Discreet interpreting for case preparation, attorney–client meetings, witness interviews, negotiations and confidential cross-border conversations.
Diplomacy · Conference · Business
From the General Assembly to the boardroom.
Since 2006, I have regularly interpreted for Italian delegations during United Nations General Assembly week, as well as for G7 and NATO engagements, parliamentary meetings, government missions, bilateral talks and international conferences.
My conference work also includes finance and fintech, automotive, pharmaceuticals, medical, market research, business presentations, training, arts and literature, current affairs and sport. I prepare terminology and background material in depth so that specialist conversations remain precise and fluent.
Finance & Corporate
Fluent in the language of business.
Thousands of hours interpreting for Italian banks, brokers, financial advisors, entrepreneurs and corporate delegations during their work in New York and across the United States.
From macro trends to portfolio strategy
Simultaneous and consecutive interpreting for meetings and presentations with major New York investment-management firms, covering macroeconomic outlooks, asset allocation, financial products, risk, performance and investment strategy.
Helping Italian companies do business in America
One-to-one meetings, negotiations, investor presentations, site visits, due diligence and relationship-building with American partners, customers, advisors and investors.
Specialist conversations across sectors
Manufacturing, automotive, industrial machinery, food and beverage, fashion and design, furniture and lighting, sports, professional services, direct sales and network marketing.
Conventions, leadership and training
Product launches, leadership trainings, incentive events, corporate broadcasts and major sales conventions, including long-standing work in multinational direct-sales organizations.
New York Stock ExchangeFinancial delegations · market visits · investor meetings
Planning & Technical Support
The best interpreting starts long before the first word is spoken.
Looking for a spoken language translator? Planning a multilingual event? You’re in the right place.
Interpreting is about much more than languages. Every event has its own communication needs, and choosing the right approach involves a number of practical decisions, from the interpreting format and technical setup to scheduling and workflow.
You don’t have to figure that out on your own.
Whether you’re organizing an international arbitration, a board meeting, a conference, an executive visit, a museum program or another multilingual event, I’ll help you plan the interpreting solution that best fits your goals, your audience and your venue, so everything runs smoothly from the very beginning.
Expert Guidance
Most clients start with a situation, not a specification.
“Our CEO from Milan is visiting New York next month.”
“We’re expecting witnesses from Italy.”
“Half our audience speaks English, the other half Italian.”
Perfect. That’s all I need to get started.
From there, I’ll recommend the interpreting solution that’s right for your event, whether simultaneous, consecutive or liaison, explain your options without the jargon, and take care of the practical details so communication feels effortless.
Technology & Equipment
Technology should simplify communication, not become another thing for you to manage.
For smaller meetings, executive visits and site visits, I can provide my own professional portable simultaneous interpreting systems, allowing participants to listen comfortably without the need for a separate equipment rental.
For conferences, arbitrations and larger multilingual events, I’ll advise on the most appropriate technical setup and coordinate with trusted audiovisual and interpreting-equipment providers to ensure everything is ready before the first speaker takes the floor.
Preparation
Exceptional interpreting begins with exceptional preparation.
Every assignment starts with careful study of the subject matter, terminology and background materials. Depending on the engagement, that may include presentations, legal filings, witness statements, technical documentation or corporate materials.
The result is interpretation that is accurate, consistent and natural, supported by carefully selected technology and grounded in the highest standards of confidentiality and professional ethics.
Trusted Partners
Some assignments require more than one interpreter. Others call for multiple language combinations or specialized technical support.
Over nearly three decades, I’ve built a trusted network of outstanding interpreter colleagues and experienced AV partners. When your event requires additional resources, I can assemble the right team and coordinate every aspect of the interpreting services, giving you a single point of contact from planning through delivery.
Remote Interpreting
Remote Interpreting
Online interpreting has been part of my practice since 2017, years before virtual meetings became the norm. I work from a dedicated professional home office in New York, purpose-built for the technical and acoustic demands of high-level interpreting.
1 Gbps fiberFast, reliable internet connection
Hardwired EthernetA stable connection for every assignment
Multiple devicesComputers and Apple devices ready to work together
Professional audioHeadset systems with redundant backup equipment
Platform-ready
ZoomWebexMicrosoft TeamsKUDOInterprefy
These platforms, or any other platform required for the assignment.
In My Own Words
A few thoughts on interpreting, language, technology and the profession.
Legal insightStandards of Proof in U.S. Law ↗Equipment case studyBetter Sound, Better Interpreting ↗Technology in practiceSpeech Recognition as an Interpreter’s Co-Pilot ↗
Talks
Knowledge grows when it’s shared. These talks reflect my belief that our profession advances when we learn from one another.
In addition to writing about the profession, I am regularly invited to speak at international conferences on interpreting, technology, and AI. Here are two talks presented at the Innovation in Interpreting Summit 2022 and the AI in Interpreting Summit 2025.
Innovation in Interpreting Summit 2022
Supercharge Your Consecutive Interpreting with Automated Speech Recognition
A presentation on how speech recognition can become a practical tool for conference interpreters, improving accuracy, reducing cognitive load, and supporting performance in demanding interpreting environments.
Watch the talkAI in Interpreting Summit 2025
Let Tech Have Your Back: Speech Recognition Tools to Boost Your Interpreting Performance
An updated presentation exploring how AI-powered speech recognition tools can complement, rather than replace, the interpreter, with practical demonstrations and real-world workflows.
Watch the talkPractical information
Frequently asked questions.
The essentials for planning an assignment, requesting a quote and choosing the right interpreting setup.
What are your rates?+
Rates depend on the date, duration, location, subject matter, interpreting mode, preparation requirements, recording or broadcast use, equipment and travel. Send me the assignment details and I will provide a specific quote, usually within 24 hours.
What do you need to prepare a quote?+
Please include the date, start and end times, location or remote platform, languages, subject, number of participants and speakers, venue type, interpreting mode if known, and whether the event will be recorded, streamed or broadcast. The more context you provide, the more accurate the quote.
What is the best way to contact you?+
Email is best, and I respond quickly. If you do not hear back, please follow up by phone or WhatsApp, as the original message may not have reached me.
Can you work alone?+
It depends on the mode and schedule. Continuous simultaneous interpreting requires a team of two when it exceeds approximately 40 minutes. Consecutive or liaison interpreting assignments may be handled by me alone only when the schedule allows for appropriate breaks. I will gladly advise you on the most effective arrangement for your needs and recommend a qualified colleague when a team is required.
Can I see a sample of your work?+
Much of my work is confidential, and my delivery changes with the setting. Public examples include film Q&As interpreted from Italian into English and from French into English.
Availability & inquiries
Let’s make the conversation work.
Tell me the date, location or platform, languages, subject, participants and approximate schedule. I usually respond within 24 hours, and often much sooner.