Souls of Italy featuring Kirsten Hills

“I think what's been an amazing part of this project in general but particularly with

Rodolfo’s story was the comments. There have been thousands, the majority filled with

a sense of sadness and very much connected to nostalgia and this sense that Florence

is going through a huge transformation at the moment and he represents everything that

people think is great about Florence. People wrote that they felt moved to tears which I

find amazing. I love that. I love idea that the films can have an impact on people

because it means that I've managed to communicate something and touch them in

some way.” Kirsten Hills

In this episode, I speak with filmmaker Kirsten Hills, creator of Souls of Italy, about what

it takes to document a country so often reduced to images and clichés and why Italy

continues to resist easy storytelling.

Our conversation centers on Kirsten’s approach to filmmaking as a form of inquiry: how

she gains trust, listens closely, and allows people and places to reveal themselves on

their own terms. Rather than chasing spectacle, Souls of Italy focuses on everyday

lives, local histories, and the emotional ties that bind individuals to their communities.

We also discuss how some of the series’ most resonant episodes emerged organically,

including widely shared profiles such as Rodolfo, the Florentine tailor, whose story

struck a chord with audiences around the world. These moments, Hills explains, reflect

the power of intimate, place-based storytelling, where craft, memory, and human

connection quietly take center stage.

Warm, thoughtful, and grounded in lived experience, this interview offers a nuanced

look at Italy through the eyes of a filmmaker committed to telling its stories with

authenticity and care.

Biography

Kirsten Hills is a British-born video journalist and filmmaker based in Florence, Italy.

With a passion for storytelling that’s simple, authentic, and meaningful, she specializes

in creating films that connect and inspire.

Her career began with a degree in politics and broadcast journalism, followed by a BBC

traineeship. She went on to work in news and current affairs as a producer, reporter,

and presenter, developing her skills in uncovering and sharing compelling stories.

She lives in Florence with her Italian husband and two children. Since moving here,

she’s built her business, as a freelancer, collaborating with luxury travel

companies, fashion brands, and world-famous museums to create bespoke videos that

highlight beauty, culture, and creativity. She continues to work with international news

networks CNN, NBC, BBC & ITV.

Over the years she’s been asked to film destination weddings, which she loves to do.

Each year she does a limited number of weddings, working with lovely couples, some of

whom have become friends.

She’s driven by curiosity and inspired by the quirky, humorous, and unexpected

moments of everyday life. Living in Italy offers endless opportunities to discover

extraordinary stories in the seemingly ordinary.

Links

https://kirstenhills.com/

https://www.instagram.com/soulsofitaly/

tiktok.com/@SoulsofItaly

https://www.youtube.com/@SoulsofItaly

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575937589934&sk=about

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirsten-hills-06910361/

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Podcast Producer: Andrew Niklas Curtis 

Production Intern: Jasmine Kim

Recording and post-production Lorenzo Maiani, Faminore Sound Agency