Gaglianone was born in Ancona, in 1966. In 1972, at the age of 6, his family moved to Turin. After graduating from an economics school and an unsuccessful attempt to enroll in the study of informational science, Gaglianone decided to enroll in a film history and critique course led by Gianni Rondolini at the University of Turin. He graduated from the University of Turin in 1991 with a degree in contemporary literature. Between 1989 and 2000, he made short and feature films and documentaries. He also collaborated with the Archivio Nazionale Cinematografico della Resistenza, by helping out in jobs like shooting, editing, interviewing and collecting video materials. In 1998 he collaborated with Gianni Amelio on the screenplay for the film Cosi ridevano (The Way We Laughed). He is also active in the theatre. In 1991, he worked with the group Il BuioFuori on the theatre play Aggrappati ad una terra rivoltata sull’abisso. In 2000, he made his first feature film I nostri anni (Our Years) that was presented in Cannes within the program Quinzaine des réalisateurs (2001). In 2002, within the program Giornate degli autori, his second film Nemmeno il destino was shown at the 61st International Review of Films in Venice. This film won the A.I.A.C.E. award.