When Nero was about two years old, his parents separated. Consequently, he divided his childhood between Italy with his father and London with his mother.[2]
Nero graduated from the Italian National Film School in Rome – Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia,[3] and furthered his film studies at the New York University Film School.[4] Vanessa Redgrave said in a 2016 interview with The Times, "It's no surprise that Carlo has ended up in the film business; he just happens to prefer being on the other side of the camera."[2]
In 1999, Nero's first feature film as writer/director, Uninvited, was released. The film, adapted from James Gabriel Berman's book of the same name, was screened at numerous international film festivals, including Cannes.[4]
Nero directed his mother Vanessa Redgrave, Angelina Jolie, and his sister Joely Richardson, in the 2004 HBO movie,The Fever. The film was adapted by a play written by actor Wallace Shawn.[5]
In 2005, Nero established a production company Dissent Projects Ltd. with his mother to produce social and environmental documentaries.[6][7]
In June 2024, principal photography was completed on The Estate,[a] a feature drama, executive produced by Nero, Vanessa Redgrave, and Franco Nero. The film is written and directed by Nero, and stars his mother and father. The Estate also features Nero's wife, actress Jennifer Wiltsie and daughter Lillian Nero.[8]
^The Estate is described as a "social thriller" in the Deadline Hollywood article.
^Larry's Visit is a 24 minute drama. "A wealthy businessman's heterosexual life is threatened by a visit from his male prep school lover," as per Letterboxd
^Il Tocco is an Italian feature length crime action drama featuring Carlo's father, Franco
^Wake Up World "highlights what UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund) can and must do to meet the desperate needs of children and teenagers all over the world," as per Brooklyn Film Festival synopsis.
^Eyes of St. John is a documentary about the medical team providing, and their patients receiving essential eye care from a hospital in East Jerusalem.