Bernardino Zapponi (4 September 1927 – 11 February 2000) was an Italian novelist and screenwriter best known for his films written in collaboration with Federico Fellini and Tinto Brass.

An expert in literary innovation, Zapponi founded the cult magazine Il Delatore (The Spy), and published four novels including Gobal, a famous collection of short stories, as well as songs, plays and theatre sketches.

[1] While recovering from a devastating illness (provoked by the Mastorna fiasco), Fellini read Zapponi's Gobal and hoped to convince French producer, Raymond Eger, of financing one of its short stories.

Zapponi read a news item while scouting locations with Fellini that concerned the collapsed Ariccia Bridge in the Castelli Romani quarter outside Rome.

Visiting the area at night, they were deeply impressed by the bridge's ruined splendour and decided to make it a crucial element in the death of Toby Dammit.