Brother of the journalist Giuliano, he had led the Festival of Spoleto and the Stabile del Veneto. He began his activity as an assistant to Luca Ronconi, then passing himself to directing.
For the cinema Ferrara had also directed Un cuore semplice, winning the special prize at the David di Donatello in 1977 and the Nastro d'argento as best debut director. But also operas with the Giuseppe Verdi Symphony Orchestra of Milan.