Born in Rome, while being a student of medicine at the Sapienza University Stivaletti entered the film industry as an uncredited builder of small props in some Pupi Avati films.

[1][2][3] He got his first credit as special effects artist in Riccardo Freda's Murder Obsession.

[4] In 1985, he began a long professional association with Dario Argento, handling special effects and make-up in Phenomena.

[2][5] He is also a frequent collaborator of Michele Soavi and Lamberto Bava both in their film and television projects, and also worked in films by Matteo Garrone, Gabriele Salvatores, Sergio Castellitto and Julie Taymor.

[3] In 1997, Stivaletti debuted as director with Wax Mask, replacing original director Lucio Fulci who had died during the pre-production phase.