Gian Battista "Gianni" Canova (born 16 February 1954) is an Italian film critic, essayist, television writer and academic.

Born in Castione della Presolana, Canova graduated in letters from the University of Milan.

[1][2] In 1993 he founded the film journal Duel (later renamed Duellanti),[3] also serving as editor until 2011.

[2][6] Canova is professor of film history and filmology at the IULM University of Milan, and from 2018 he also serves as rector.

[7] In 2024, he was named president of the Scientific Committee of the Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia Foundation.