DIVA caught up with the director of this gorgeous depiction of Black queer love
BY ELLA GAUCI,Ā IMAGES BY INDIGO JUNE
Drip Like Coffee (2024) is a sensual drama set in Brooklyn, where barista Kali’s life perks up upon meeting photographer Mel. As they brew a connection over coffee and conversations, Kali navigates the steam of new desires and the froth of existing commitments, leading to a rich blend of empowerment and transformation.
DIVA spoke to director Anaiis Cisco ahead of its screening at BFI Flare.
Was there a specific moment or reference point which inspired your film?
This story is inspired by my time as a young adult coming into my queerness. At that time, moving between Brooklyn and San Francisco, and trying to find my voice as a filmmaker ā I was looking for queer stories like mine but struggled to find ones about young Black femmes grappling with queer desire.
When I started to write my own story, I wanted to reimagine it as a film about baristas falling in love. I began spending most of my time in cafƩs. It became the space where I would write, take meetings, and connect with other queer artists. I grew to appreciate the art and intimacy of coffee making and consumption and wanted to celebrate the Black queer women who were cultivating those spaces.
If you had to describe your film in three words, what would they be?
There are so many phrases that come to mind! A Feel-Good Movie. Black is Beautiful. But if I had to choose just three words, I would say: Sensual, Soulful, and Raw.
What was the most unexpected lesson you learned while making this film?
That healing comes in unexpected forms, and making this film was absolutely a cathartic process. Visualising past experiences allowed me to reflect on my younger self and make sense of the choices I made while navigating my first queer romance.
How does it feel to have your film showcased at BFI Flare?
Itās an honour to be a part of a legacy of global queer filmmaking, and a huge accomplishment to have our international premiere at one of the longest-running European queer film festivals. Itās a testament to how important Black queer storytelling is on a global level, and I am excited to be a part of history.
BFI Flare is a celebration of LGBTQIA storytelling. What do you hope LGBTQIA audiences at BFI Flare take away after watching your film?
I hope queer audiences, especially Black queer women, are reminded to honour their desires, no matter how complicated the situation might be. It can be self-revelatory to lean into the complexities and tenderness of things that are new and unfamiliar.
Why do you think LGBTQIA filmmaking is so important in 2025?
Queer filmmaking will always be important no matter the year. The power of sharing your experiences and seeing yourself represented in film on and off screen is transformative, especially with limited portrayals of Black queer stories.
This yearās Flare is split into the themes of Hearts, Bodies, and Minds. Do you have an LGBTQIA film which affected your heart, body, or mind?
Still to this day, The Watermelon Woman checks all boxes for me. From the first time I watched it ten years ago to now, it still activates my heart, body, and mind all at once. Itās a timeless gem that writes Black queer women into history, with love and desire at its core. Itās a film you can watch with a date, with students, and in community. There hasnāt been any story that I feel achieves what The Watermelon Woman does on multiple levels. It is one of the films that led me to film school to develop my craft as a Black lesbian filmmaker, and work directly under Cheryl Dunye.
What was the best piece of advice you received while working on this film, and what advice would you give to emerging queer filmmakers?
Tell your story, your way. Write the script and find your collaborators. Thereās always going to be other creatives at your level wanting to learn and do something that hasnāt been done before with you. Find the earlier works of Black queer film and video artists and study them.
Whatās the one question you wish more people would ask about your film?
Why are love stories about Black queer women important?
DRIP LIKE COFFEE screens as part of the 39th BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival on Saturday 22 March and Sunday 23 March. For more details / tickets here
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