Regina Banali / Bio

Director / Music Manager / philanthropist

Regina’s cinematic journey began at the tender age of 3 when she watched "2001: A Space Odyssey" as her inaugural theater experience. Enthralled by the movie and its music, she chatted endlessly about it, prompting her parents to purchase the soundtrack LP, which became her soundtrack during their moments of solitude. Growing up, she became a self-made individual, nurturing herself with a blend of books, music, magazines, art, TV, and movies. Her passion for cinema, particularly films accompanied by remarkable music, took root early on.

Embarking on a teenage odyssey, she traversed the globe alongside rockstars after initially venturing into modeling and fine art painting. Notably, her artistic prowess garnered attention, with luminaries like Francis Ford Coppola becoming collectors of her paintings. Regina Banali, like many directors, initiated her career in front of the lens, accumulating over 40 film and television roles across both modest and blockbuster productions. Her acting debut included portraying a mermaid in Steven Spielberg's "Hook." Concurrently, she opened a boutique called "Celebrity Closet Raiders," a clothing store on Sunset Blvd, and made appearances as a fashion correspondent.

In 2008, she transitioned to the role of a director, crafting PSAs for The Humane Society of the United States, rallying celebrities for animal rights causes. Her directorial debut came in the form of "QUIET RIOT: Well Now You’re Here, There’s No Way Back," a documentary on the 80s metal band Quiet Riot. Acquired by Showtime in 2015, the film marked her directorial breakthrough. Regina directed music videos for Quiet Riot and "In The Blood," her first narrative short, a playful homage to spaghetti westerns from the '60s and '70s, her preferred era for films and music.

A passionate advocate for actor safety, she frequently addresses festivals and acting schools on combating sexual harassment and promoting mental health in the industry. The narrative took a poignant turn in 2019 when her husband, Frankie Banali, was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. Assuming leadership of Quiet Riot while being his primary caregiver, Regina managed the band's affairs after his passing, restructuring operations, and revitalizing the business side. She orchestrated the return of original member Rudy Sarzo, secured a new booking agent, and oversees the band's busy schedule of 60 shows annually. Regina also navigated merchandise rights, initiating the production and sale of Quiet Riot merchandise.

Beyond her artistic pursuits, Regina is a dedicated philanthropist, throwing her support behind cherished causes like "Musicares," "Pancreatic Cancer Action Network," and the "Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund." Currently residing in Los Angeles, she is immersed in developing a narrative feature film for her directorial endeavors.