Meet Sonia Sebastian

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sonia Sebastian.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I began my career studying film and TV at EICTV in Cuba. I earned my Master of Arts at the Royal Academy of Drama in Madrid, with a specialty in directing actors.

Since I can remember, I have wanted to tell stories with a camera. When I finished college, I directed three short films, and I was the showrunner and director of the very first online web series in Spain “Chica Busca Chica,” getting more than 8 million views.

After that experience, the production company Alba Adriatica hired me as a director where I co-directed two multicamera comedy series for the Cable TV channels Tele 5 and TeleMadrid, in Spain. I produced, co-wrote and directed my first low budget feature film “De Chica en Chica,” that was sold to Amazon. I directed an ensemble cast of 14 actors in mostly one location.

I decided to take the leap and come to Los Angeles to take my career to the next level. This year, I have had the opportunity to direct my first US Feature “Freelancers Anonymous,” and we are currently screening in Festivals around the world.

At this moment, I’m pitching my series: “Extra Life,” finishing my script “American Kingdom” and in 2019 I will start the pre-production of my next feature “Continuando (Keep Going).”

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
In general, it has been a smooth road, one thing took me to the next, or at least I want to see it like that! I struggled with some projects, for example, make my first feature possible was almost four years, my principal characters were lesbians and a lot of production companies wanted to change their sexual orientation. So I decided to get the money and produce it with my team.

One of my challenges was to learn English. When I arrive in the US two years and a half ago, I didn’t speak… It’s difficult to learn a language when you are not a child, lol. I’m still working on improving my grammar and vocabulary, but I’m so excited about reading and understanding 99% of the English language… Now I have access to read so many books that aren’t translated in Spanish… 🙂

We’d love to hear more about what you do.
I’m an award-winning, writer, producer, and director from Spain. I just premiered my second directorial effort, “Freelancers Anonymous,” an English-language feature film produced by Full Spectrum Features in Chicago. My first feature film, “De Chica en Chica” is now available on Amazon Video. This movie was the first movie with lesbian characters as the protagonists.

I also co-directed episodes of three Spanish TV Series: “Todo es Posible en el Bajo,” “Aqui Me las den Todas” and “Cuñados” for Spain’s TV networks Tele 5 and TeleMadrid. I was the showrunner, writer, and director of the first online web series in Spain, “Girl Seeks Girl,” which was subsequently released on DVD in the U.S.

Fluent in Spanish and English, I’m a filmmaker who continually challenges myself and keeps active. With two feature films under my belt, last year I made the short film “Yo Tambien,” which received the CIMA Award at the Zaragoza Film Festival as Best Filmmaker.

I’m very passionate and dedicated to the work I love: directing, and I love to collaborate with other creators to bring new and ambitious stories to life. I’m very proud that my second feature film Freelancers Anonymous have earned this year the ReFrame Stamp for outstanding female talent both in front of and behind the camera.

What were you like growing up?
I was born in Paris and raised in Madrid. As long as I can remember I have wanted to tell stories. At the age of nine, my grandmother took me to the movie theater, to see Gilda (yes, I know that is not exactly a child´s movie!) To me that was magic!

The gloves, the slaps, the moves, the attitudes… At that moment, I decided I wanted to be a part of that other reality… I wanted to make my own movies!

When I grew up, I studied directing, writing, and acting as activities after school. I even write a novel with 14… I would love to find that story!

My parents and grandparents gave me a great education (not just in the school), they taught the importance to listen to other people and empathize with them. I think this is one of my best values. I’m so grateful for that.

 Image Credit:
Angie Bankhead

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