Filmmakers Daphne Di Cinto and Medhin Paolos joins UCSB’s Stephanie Malia Hom to explore the history and lived experiences of Black African communities in Italy. Their discussion centers on two short films: Il Moro by Di Cinto and Asmarina by Paolos, each providing meaningful insights into Black identity, belonging, and resilience within Italian society.

Di Cinto’s Il Moro focuses on Alessandro de’ Medici, the first Black head of state in modern Western history, and reflects her desire to reclaim overlooked stories from Italian history. Paolos’ Asmarina documents the Eritrean and Ethiopian communities in Milan, challenging public stereotypes and offering a fuller picture of daily life and cultural continuity.

Both filmmakers emphasize how crucial it is to broaden the representation of Afro Italian identities in media and culture. They reflect on the many untold stories that deserve attention and the need to create space for these voices in both artistic and public conversations.

Their conversation also highlights the role of community in maintaining cultural heritage and supporting acts of resistance. Both Di Cinto and Paolos point to the courage of individuals and communities working across generations to demand visibility and justice.

Through their films and insights, Di Cinto and Paolos present the Afro Italian experience as a mix of struggle, resistance, and renewal, encouraging audiences to rethink national identity and embrace a more inclusive vision of Italy’s past and future.

Watch Afro Italians: Stories of Resistance, Renaissance, and Community.