Filmmaker Alessia Mandanici is driven by a desire to merge the worlds of film and social advocacy. Based in New York City, Mandanici, an NYU Tisch School's Graduate Film Program alum, uses her multifaceted talents in music, graphic design, and filmmaking to craft stories that resonate, inspire, and drive change. As the co-founder of Holy Cannoli Films, she's making films that spark dialogue and drive social conversations.
Mandanici's artistic journey is deeply influenced by her multicultural background, growing up with a German mother and an Italian father in Mainz, Germany. Her initial introduction into the arts through music eventually led her to filmmaking, a field where she found a harmonious blend of her interests. This transition was marked by her involvement in a film project during design school, which not only showcased her talents but also earned accolades and screenings at the Berlin International Film Festival, affirming her path as a storyteller who seamlessly integrates her diverse cultural and artistic influences.
"Film is a way to connect, to stir the soul, and to ignite change. Every story, every frame is a chance to challenge perceptions, to spotlight the unseen, and to evoke empathy. My journey into filmmaking is deeply personal. It's about transforming my own trials and the silent battles of others into narratives that resonate, awaken, and heal. I believe in the power of storytelling to bridge divides and illuminate the shadows in our society. Through my films, I aim to spark conversations that lead to understanding, action, and transformation."
PHOTO: Mandanici on set
Harnessing Film and Storytelling for Change
'Wiegenlied' ('Lullaby') is Mandanici's latest and first feature-length project she's developing and a heartfelt exploration of a very challenging subject: child sexual abuse. Aiming to open our eyes and ears to the silent struggles many face, Mandanici weaves a narrative that's not solely about trauma but also about the healing power of connection. She believes that experiencing these stories together allows us to gain courage and a sense of community, encouraging us to advocate for and better understand one another. She hopes that 'Wiegenlied' ('Lullaby') will inspire audiences to look beyond quick judgments and see the stories behind people's actions.
At its core, Mandanici's work uses the power of storytelling to catalyze reflection, conversation, and change. Through her artistic vision, she aspires to create a space for healing and to encourage a shift in perspective, highlighting the strength found in shared experiences and mutual support.
PHOTO: Filmmaker Alessia Mandanici
A Journey to Authenticity: Uncovering the Filmmaker's Voice
Mandanici's pivot to filmmaking was driven by a desire to explore and question the world through art, seeking to spark reflection and understanding. Confronting a disconnect between her emotional expression and audience reception, she experienced a transformative "aha moment" during film school, recognizing the power of personal vulnerability in storytelling. Embracing her own experiences, particularly as a survivor of child sexual abuse, Alessia found a deeper connection to her characters and audience, using her films as a conduit for empathy, awareness, and self-exploration.
PHOTO: Stony Brook Film Festival
The Next Chapter: Mandanici's Forthcoming Film Endeavors
Mandanici is preparing to unveil intricate stories that promise to move audiences and challenge their minds in her newest cinematic works. Her feature film, 'Wiegenlied' ('Lullaby'), a project currently in financing, invites audiences into a riveting exploration of memory and healing as a neurologist's obsessive curiosity spirals down into a personal journey through her haunted past. Simultaneously, her most recent short film, 'Schwarzmoll' ('Blackmoll'), currently on the festival circuit, is positioned to provide an original perspective on reality and familial ties through the lens of a seven-year-old girl determined to justify the mysterious world of her dementia suffering grandmother. Furthermore, her short film 'Lentini' (2022) travelled and continues to traverse the international festival landscape. The film offers a poignant look at a young woman's quest for identity and connection amid the backdrop of Sicilian culture and aligns with her body of work, reflecting Mandanici's deep commitment to storytelling that resonates with emotional depth and subtly rendered humanity.
