Elisa Mereghetti

Director and documentarist, has directed more than 40 documentaries, many of which focussing on women’s issues, anthropological and development subjects. Her films have received numerous awards both nationally and internationally. Her documentary  ”Eyes Wide Open”, on the life of Catherine Phiri and the issue of AIDS orphans in Malawi has received funding from the Media Plus Programme of the European Community and is part of the  United Nations Africa 2015 – Millenium Goals campaign. Has directed two documentaries for the United Nations Development Program on higher education in Russia and on sea protection in China and the Philippines.  Is the executive producer of the TV series "Economy and Environment: a challenge for Senegalese women", produced by Ethnos/Pidgin with the contribution of the European Commission. Has directed the documentaries "Portrait of Altinè in the dry season" on the life of a Peul woman in the Sahel and "A way to move on" on women’s credit associations in Dakar. Has directed several films for different NGOs, among which "Jerusalem Contended City", and two reportages on the process of desertification in Italy and Burkina Faso produced by COSPE (Cooperation for the Development of Emerging Countries). On behalf of AIFO (Associazione Italiana Amici di Raoul Follereau) has directed, among others, "Hopeful Steps" and "The miller, the accountant and other stories", on Community Based Rehabilitation projects in Guyana and Indonesia. Since 1987 has collaborated with the American anthropologist Judith Gleason in the making of several documentaries: "Mother of the Waters" (1988), on the cult of the goddess of the sea Yemanjà in Afro-Brazilian culture; "Becoming a woman in Okrika" on female initiation rituals in the Niger Delta (Nigeria); "The King does not Lie" (1992), on the initiation ritual in the Afro-Cuban Santeria religion; "Flowers of Guadalupe", on the cult of the Virgin of Guadalupe in Mexico. For the program of RAI - National Italian television "GEO - Journey through planet Earth" has directed several nature documentaries in Italy and abroad, among which a series on the fauna, flora and geology of Iceland.

Marco Mensa

Director, director of photography and photographer, is active in the audiovisual industry since 1980. Has realized several reportages and award-winning documentaries for RAI National Italian Television, for many associations and non governmental organizations, filming in numerous countries around the world. For RAI has collaborated with the programs "Viaggio intorno all'uomo" by Sergio Zavoli, "America Anno Zero" by Furio Colombo and "Report" by Milena Gabanelli. Has recently filmed two documentaries on behalf of UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) and Carnegie Corporation of New York on Russian higher education system and on sea protection and coastal management in China and the Philippines. Has directed and photographed the documentaries "Kerkennah", on the life of fishermen in the Kerkennah islands in Tunisia, “The oasis of memory” on the Saharawi people, filmed in Western Sahara and in the refugee camps in Algeria, “Cunama Cunala Cubulà” on the dance, music and cultural memory of the Cunama people of Eritrea, with the participation of the singer Faytinga, and “Eyes Wide Open” on the theme of AIDS orphans in Malawi. His photo exhibit “Jews in Eritrea”, realized in collaboration with the Alliance Française of Asmara, based on the historical research of Prof. Marco Cavallarin, has been shown in Paris (Mairie du IVeme Arrondissement), in Turin at the Museum of Resistance, in Casale Monferrato, in Jerusalem and in Asmara. His photographs have been shown in the exhibits “Art of Eritrea/ Roots and Diaspora” at Villa Caldogno (2002), “Eritrea crossings” in Trento (2001) and “Images on the road by Lanfranco Colombo” in Milan. His photographs on AIDS in Zimbabwe have been published in the book  “La nuvola di Tapiwa”, by the Association Amici del Senatore Spagnolli. Has published his photographs in several magazines, among which Africa e Mediterraneo, Africa, Archeologia Viva. Has photographed several award-winning short films, including "La Uccido?"  (Kill her or not?) ("Best director of photography", Rassegna ‘Visioni Italiane’, Bologna 1998 - "First Prize” at the Festival Cinema Giovani Torino/Spazio Italia, 1998), and "L’incontro” by Mauro Magazzino, awarded at the Festival of Palm Springs in Florida.  Has directed the photography for the video projections in the play “Journey to Reims”, directed by Luca Ronconi (Teatro Comunale di Bologna).