SARA ALESSANDRINI

ABOUT SARA

Sara Alessandrini is an Italian filmmaker and social commentator based in Los Angeles whose work examines the intersection of media, politics, and public perception. She is the creator of This Is What New Yorkers Say, a five-part docuseries that explores how media bias, political agendas, and social movements shaped public perception around former NY Governor Andrew Cuomo. The series features in-depth interviews with New Yorkers discussing due process, media responsibility, #MeToo vs. women’s empowerment, cancel culture, and the pressures of a social-media-driven society.

THE DOCUMENTARY PROJECT

At the time she began the documentary, Sara was in no position to take on a project of this scale—financially, logistically, or professionally. She financed it herself, working long hours and taking on personal debt to bring it to life, guided by the belief that the story needed to be told and that meaningful work is worth the risk even when circumstances are far from ideal. What started as a feature documentary was later expanded into a five-part docuseries, including one new episode and reworked material from the original film, a process that took several additional years to complete. The series became both an act of civic responsibility and a leap of faith, carried out amid daily challenges.

BACKGROUND AND CAREER

Sara began in electronics and telecommunications engineering before leaving her studies to pursue filmmaking, bringing a practical, analytical mindset to all of her work. After completing her filmmaking studies at Cinecittà’s Academy of Cinema and Television in Rome, she worked in the Italian film industry and spent a short but formative time in Australia before relocating to Los Angeles in 2015.

She worked for seven years at the American Cinematheque, where she oversaw the historic Egyptian Theatre—Hollywood’s oldest movie palace and the site of the world’s first movie premiere. She later earned a degree in Business Administration and consulted for the Philosophical Research Society, supporting more than 800 cultural events, screenings, lectures, and programs.

“I believe films should leave the audience with more questions than answers.”
— SARA ALESSANDRINI

PHILOSOPHY AND CURRENT FOCUS

Her films have been showcased in festivals nationally and internationally. Through her work, Sara advocates for a culture that is more thoughtful, more honest, and more willing to question the stories we are told. She believes film should provoke inquiry rather than offer simple answers, inviting audiences to examine how narratives are constructed, who controls them, and how they shape our understanding of justice, empowerment, and truth.

Today, Sara stands at the intersection of storytelling, social criticism, and civic awareness—using her voice to challenge dominant narratives and spark essential conversations about media responsibility, political fairness, and the future of democratic dialogue.

Articles & Features

Podcast Appearances (2025)

Op-Eds & Essays

Panels & Q&As

For This Is What New Yorkers Say (2022):

  • Panelist — Changing the World One Vote at a Time, Awareness Film Festival

  • Q&A — Awareness Film Festival

  • Q&A — Voices Rising Film Festival

  • Q&A — Chautauqua International Film Festival

  • Q&A — International New York Film Festival

Other Works:

  • Directors Chat: Coffee Break Q&A — Portland Film Festival (Black Dust, 2020)

  • Q&A — International Music Video Underground (Safe in the Storm, 2019)

Jury Experience

  • Femtasia Film Festival — Jury Member (2025)

  • Malatesta Film Festival — Animation Short Jury (2020)

  • Malatesta Film Festival — Animation, Documentary & Fiction Shorts Jury (2017)

Awards

For This Is What New Yorkers Say (2022):

  • Best Documentary Feature – Upstate NY Film Festival

  • Silver Award – International New York Film Festival

  • Best Documentary Feature – New York Tri-State Film Festival

  • Award of Merit – CinemaFest

  • Award of Merit – Impact DOCS Awards

  • Best Documentary – Chautauqua International Film Festival

  • Best Political Film – Cinema New York

  • Jury Award – New York State Film Festival

  • Honorable Mention – American Filmatic Arts Awards

For Black Dust (2019):

  • Award Winner – Global Music Awards

For Pull Me In (2016):

  • Winner – AAB International Film Festival

For Safe in the Storm (2016):

  • Best Dance Video Award – International Music Video Underground

  • Bronze Remi Award – Houston International Film Festival

  • Semi-Finalist – Los Angeles CineFest

  • Honorable Mention – LA Underground Film Forum