As we kick off coverage of the 41st Santa Barbara International Film Festival, I sit down with director Nicola Rinciari to discuss his feature debut, A Mosquito in the Ear — the powerful opening night film inspired by a true adoption story.

Starring Nazanin Boniadi and Jake Lacy, the film follows an American couple navigating the emotional, cultural, and marital complexities of adopting a young girl from India. What unfolds is a deeply human story about identity, displacement, parenthood, and the fragile bridge between two worlds.

In this conversation, we discuss:

• The real-life story behind the film
• Navigating cross-cultural storytelling
• The emotional weight of adoption
• How parenthood reshapes relationships
• Casting and working with the young actress who plays Sarvari
• What it means to open SBIFF with his first feature

This film tugged at my heart in ways I didn’t expect — and our conversation dives into why.

🎥 A Mosquito in the Ear opens the 41st Santa Barbara International Film Festival.

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