Charleston's annual Nuovo Cinema Italiano Film Festival returned for its 17th year in November 2023, bringing the latest and greatest contemporary Italian cinema to Charleston along with some of its most passionate Italian filmmakers. The 17th Annual Festival was held at the Queen Street Playhouse and hosted directors Sophie Chiarello, Elia Moutamid, and Giovanna Gagliardo; screenwriter Simone Brioni; and guest speakers from The College of Charleston.

In an exclusive interview with CisternYard Video, Max Meyers talks with director Elia Moutamid and screenwriter Simone Brioni about their film Maka, a documentary covering the life of Geneviève Makaping, a Cameroonian-Italian anthropologist, writer, and the first Black woman to be named the director of a newspaper in Italy.

Produced by Max Meyers

With help from Claire Oliver, Caroline Drinnon, Cami Michels, JJ Highducheck, and Catherine Dankens

Edited by Max Meyers