Daily Inspiration: Meet Fabiola Campos

Today we’d like to introduce you to Fabiola Campos

Hi Fabiola , please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My name is Fabiola Campos Campos, and I am a 21-year-old filmmaker with a degree in Film Production. Born in Panama, my journey into filmmaking began when I was 14 years old. From a young age, I was always very active in everything I did, especially in sports like basketball and flag football. I remained engaged both physically and emotionally throughout my activities. As I approached my future, I realized the importance of exploring my career options. During the last three years of high school, I specialized in business and accounting . However, I felt compelled to pursue something entirely new. This led me to move to Costa Rica at the beginning of 2021 to study Film and Television. Despite only spending a semester there, I learned a tremendous amount and discovered that my initial fear of choosing a path in film quickly transformed into a profound and immediate love.

In September of that same year, I achieved a significant milestone by being accepted into my dream university in the United States, Full Sail University. This was truly a dream come true and allowed me to dive deeper into the world of filmmaking, honing my skills and solidifying my passion for visual storytelling.
When the opportunity presented itself, it was a gift from God that I couldn’t refuse. Moving to a new country and starting alone meant leaving my family behind, which was a daunting prospect. Although it was something I had always dreamed of, I never truly believed it would happen. Yet, with the love and support from my parents and my sister, I knew I could pursue and achieve everything I desired, both for them and for myself.

Throughout those years, I faced many ups and downs. Initially, it was challenging because I needed to start from scratch and I missed my country and family dearly. I constantly reminded myself why I was there and why God had placed me in that situation. Looking back now, I realize those were the best years of my life. Studying Film and becoming independent person truly opened my eyes and allowed me to have incredible experiences.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Some of the struggles I’ve faced over the past four years, especially moving to different countries three times in one year, have been leaving behind what I started and being away from my family. After a few months in the United States, I experienced bouts of depression and anxiety as things weren’t going as smoothly as I had hoped. It was a challenging period, but reconnecting with my family and talking about what I was going through recharged my spirits. I can confidently say that leaving everything behind overnight was not easy. It didn’t just take a few months, but it took almost a year before I could feel somewhat settled as a person. At such a young age, I found myself facing challenges I never imagined.

However, I know that thanks to all those setbacks, I got up each time, determined to move forward and continue on the path I had set for myself, despite the obstacles and difficulties. But I couldn’t have done any of this without the unwavering support of my family: my father, Olger; my mother, Karol; and my sister, María José. They were my anchor and the reason I could keep pushing through the tough times.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
A bit more about me: I am a filmmaker specializing in directing, writing, and editing. While I have a passion for writing and directing my own projects, I am also deeply interested in working as a camera operator. I have had the opportunity to gain experience in this role, and I truly love it. Much of my work involves telling small stories through short films, typically ranging from 7 to 9 minutes.

My journey into filmmaking was inspired by the show “The Walking Dead,” which sparked my interest in the world of cinema. From the beginning, I made a promise to myself that what would set me apart in the industry would be the infusion of my culture and personal experiences into my work whenever possible, always opening my heart to my audience. Writing and directing my stories is a profound passion, and the experiences I’ve had creating them are unforgettable. My recent short films, “Are You Real?” and “My Safe Place,” are examples of how I love to convey my stories on screen, enabling viewers to connect and identify with them. Also, Everything I do, I do not only for myself but also to raise the Panamanian flag high. I want to contribute to making the world of cinema bigger and more recognized in my country. My goal is to showcase the talent and stories of Panama to the world and to help expand the cinematic landscape in my homeland. Through my work, I aim to inspire others and demonstrate that Panama has a vibrant and unique voice in the film industry.

I have been honored to be nominated with one of my short films at the Panama Series Film Festival with one of my short films and have also participated in the Panama International Film Festival. These experiences have been incredibly rewarding, and I continue to write my stories, with the hope of sharing them on the big screen very soon.

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
For me, some of the most important characteristics for achieving success are charisma, humility, authenticity, and originality. These traits define you as a person and shape what you wish to express to your audience. Personally, I value honesty and the charisma that one can convey to others, both in interactions and in one’s work. It’s crucial to always keep these qualities in mind.

I believe that the key to achieving success is to be 100% yourself and to never lose your true identity. Being genuine and showing who you truly are will open many doors. These qualities not only help you connect deeply with others but also allow you to express your unique perspective, which is invaluable in any creative field.

Pricing:

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Contact Info:

• Website: https://fabiicamposs13.wixsite.com/happy-place-by-fabi
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fabiicamposs_/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBR1XXzfxInqYMtLPasaLYA
• Other: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069763511840

Image Credits
Dagniel Mantilla