Filmmaker Nicola Rinciari on ‘Our Side’
Director Nicola Rinciari (B.F.A., film and television, 2020) is a finalist at the 2020 Student Academy Awards for his film Our Side. The 12-minute short, co-written by Rinciari and Emily Dillard (B.F.A., film and television, 2020), will have its Southeast U.S. premiere as part of the “Live Action Shorts” program at this year’s SCAD Savannah Film Festival.
Our Side tells the story of an African caregiver named Adillah living in Sicily. When new laws render her visa invalid, Adillah must decide between saving herself or the elderly man in her care. Addressing issues surrounding immigration and discrimination, Our Side was filmed on location during winter quarter. A crew of 21 SCAD students flew to Italy specifically to work on the project.
The film represents something of a homecoming for Rinciari. Born in Palermo, Rinciari spent his childhood sitting in front of his family’s television creating an imagined sequel to the 1994 Disney film The Lion King with crayons and colored pencils. “I remember drawing constantly while I watched the behind-the-scenes extras on that VHS tape,” Rinciari says. Nicola’s mother helped him photograph those drawings, before he scrolled through the images to see his story come to life. “My mom and I became filmmakers in our kitchen.”
Today, Nicola lives in Los Angeles and works as a previs artist at The Third Floor, Inc.
Nicola Rinciari:
As a child I was fascinated with movies. Spider-Man was the first film I ever saw in a theater. I loved it, and it ignited my passion for filmmaking. I knew I wanted to get into the film industry, and I understood I needed to come to America to give myself the best chance for success.
When I was looking at film schools, I applied to SCAD. As I was mulling the decision to leave my home, I saw a magazine ad discussing Atlanta’s booming film industry and there he was — Spider-Man. The newest installments of the Spider-Man franchise were shot partly in Georgia, and instantly I knew I was going to SCAD. I had never been to America, and Atlanta seemed a world away from Palermo. I packed my bags, and along with my parents made the journey.
When I arrived at SCAD, my family and I met film professor and department chair D.W. Moffett. He heard us speaking Italian and began speaking to us in our language! From then on, D.W. became a mentor to me. Professor Moffett helped me pick the student crew I took to Italy to make Our Side, and spent hours talking to me about the script and final edits. I could not have done it without his expert guidance.
The film was a huge undertaking. We combined the crew of SCAD students with a crew I put together of local residents who helped helped people understand why we were shutting down their streets. The entire experience was incredible, and I am grateful for everyone who made it possible.
I am especially thankful to my partner Emily Dillard. Without her expertise and strength, this Student Oscar nomination would not be possible. The experience has been life changing.
The winners of the 2020 Student Academy awards will be announced on Oct. 21, 2020.
Our Side will screen at the SCAD Savannah Film Festival on Monday, Oct. 26.
