Charleston's Nuovo Cinema Italiano Film Festival marks 20 years with movies, fashion and music

“Since Italy is well known for fashion, too, and since we are once again screening a fashion-themed movie, we figured we’d organize another fashion show!”

That realization drives the milestones as Charleston’s Nuovo Cinema Italiano Film Festival marks its 20th anniversary with a selection of movies, fashion, and live music, postandcourier.com reported.

As the festival celebrates its milestone year, connections between artists and audiences remain at the core of the programming. Festival organizers emphasize that interacting directly with visiting directors provides a rare window into the creative process.

“It’s a chance to interact with the moviemakers themselves, to understand why they did what they did, and how they did it,” festival organizer Cristiano De Luca said, according to postandcourier.com.

From the Screen to the Runway on Queen Street

Giuseppe Tornatore’s documentary Brunello: The Gracious Visionary, focusing on luxury fashion designer Brunello Cucinelli, is scheduled to screen at 6 p.m. on Nov. 6. The screening sets the stage for an 8:30 p.m. fashion show at the Queen Street Playhouse, complete with live music and a reception exclusively for festival members.

Rome italy oct roma cinema fest rome film festival red carpet giuseppe tornatore pictured giuseppe tornatore credit independe

Following the documentary screening, Domenico De Sole—former Gucci Group CEO and co-founder of Tom Ford International—will participate in a live Q&A session. The fashion showcase is produced by Giovanna Bortolamedi and builds on a previous festival collaboration with M. M. Dumas & Sons previously collaborated with the festival in a partnership that featured College of Charleston soccer players as runway models.

“It was great fun,” De Luca noted, pointing toward the natural synergy between Italian cinema and sartorial design.

This year’s runway will feature both professional and student models showcasing collections from 120% LINO, Peserico, Gwynn’s, Finicky Filly, and Clorinda Antinori.

Honoring Cinematic History and Musical Roots

The following evening shifts the focus from contemporary luxury to historical cinematic roots. At 5 p.m. on Nov. 7, the festival will screen the Neapolitan episode of Roberto Rossellini’s landmark film Paisan. The classic feature prominently stars African-American actor and musician Dotts Johnson.

The screening bridges past and present through a collaborative musical tribute. Johnson’s relative, University of Alabama professor Luvada Harrison, is scheduled to discuss the actor’s life alongside her ongoing work on a biographical musical dedicated to him. Concurrently, Charleston musicians Stephen Washington and Zandrina Dunning will perform three original compositions written by Johnson.

The tribute grew from an initial suggestion by musician Etienne Charles, who arranged several of Johnson’s musical pieces and proposed the collaborative performance. By exploring the personal stories behind the art, the 20-year-old festival continues to honor the individuals who shaped international film history.