Today we’d like to introduce you to Zoe Xandra.
Hi Zoe, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’m a producer, director, writer, and entrepreneur from Pittsburgh, PA with a Master of Entertainment Industry Management from Carnegie Mellon University and 10 years of experience in the film industry. I’m the founder of Slow Drift Collective, a platform dedicated to amplifying female voices through film, and Steel City Props LLC, a women-run prop rental house.
My passion lies in psychological thrillers and dramas. I began my filmmaking journey at Point Park University, where I earned a B.F.A. in Cinema Arts and produced over 20 short films. My work has received international acclaim across the independent festival circuit. My film Green Hat Diner won “Best of Pittsburgh” at the Women in Film Pittsburgh Awards, and my horror short What’s in the Forest is currently streaming on Klipist.
Alongside filmmaking, I have a strong background in digital marketing and social media, having created content for the Television Academy, Film Pittsburgh, and more. My industry experience spans development, acquisitions, and distribution through roles at KINO, Mosaic Media Group, and Burr! Productions. I’ve also worked high-profile events including the 2024 Emmy Awards and the Cannes Film Festival.
At the heart of everything I do is a mission: to produce impactful, female-driven stories and help reshape the entertainment industry into a more inclusive and socially conscious space.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
No, it definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, and honestly, it still isn’t. I graduated with my B.F.A in Film in 2020, right as the COVID-19 lockdown hit. The industry shut down, and there were no jobs for a long time. My plans to move to Los Angeles were put on hold, and like everyone else, I was stuck in a kind of limbo while the whole world stood still.
However, once things began to open up again, I started taking my work with Slow Drift more seriously, building it into something real, but it’s never easy when you’re working with limited funding. Moving to LA eventually did happen, and I’ve been grateful to gain so many valuable connections and resources in this city. But even here, it’s been hard. The lasting impacts of the strike and the shifting landscape of the industry have made finding consistent work just as difficult as it was during the pandemic. Balancing financial stability with being an independent filmmaker is always a challenge, and I’m constantly figuring it out as I go. Still, I wouldn’t trade the journey for anything, it’s shaped the way I tell stories and who I am as a creative!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a filmmaker, producer, and director who tells female-centered stories with edge, depth, and emotion. I specialize in psychological thrillers and dramas, and I’m especially drawn to characters on the brink: women navigating power, fear, and identity in high-stakes situations that lean surreal and/or satirical. My emphasis is on producing projects created by and starring women. I’m deeply passionate about elevating female voices in film, not just in the stories being told, but in who gets to tell them. Through my work with Slow Drift Collective, I am building a platform to support and spotlight female filmmakers, creating space for the kinds of stories that Hollywood is lacking.
What I’m most proud of is the fact that I’ve stayed true to my vision with limited resources and funding. My film Green Hat Diner won “Best of Pittsburgh” at the Women in Film Pittsburgh Awards, and my horror short What’s in the Forest is currently streaming on Klipist. Both films were made with tiny budgets, small crews, and major obstacles, but they connected with people, and that’s what matters most to me! I’m also extremely proud of and excited for my upcoming film Calamity Care, which comes out later this year. Set in 1965, it’s a dark comedy horror about a young secretary and a janitor who join forces to take deadly vengeance on their misogynistic male colleagues. I was awarded two incredible grants to make this project possible: the Sylvia and David Steiner Film Fund from Carnegie Mellon University and the Point Park University Alumni Grant. This film feels like my most authentic work yet as it fully embodies my directorial style, and I can’t wait for everyone to see it!
What sets me apart as a director is that I’m not afraid to blend genre with emotion, or style with substance. I want my work to be beautiful and brutal, yet strange and uncomfortable. I care just as much about the mood and tone as I do about the message. Additionally, what sets me apart as a producer is that I’m purpose-driven. I care deeply about creating opportunities for women and building spaces that feel supportive, collaborative, and intentional. It’s not just about making films, it’s about helping shape an industry where more female voices can be heard and valued.
Any big plans?
I’m currently working on developing a short period piece with my mom, based on my grandmother’s real-life experience escaping her hometown in Greece during war. I’ve been talking to my family, gathering stories, and slowly shaping it into a script. It’s super personal and something I’ve wanted to make for a long time!
I’m also in the middle of reworking Slow Drift to have more of a social media presence. I want to branch out from just narrative content and start creating short-form videos: educational content, spotlights on women in film, and resources for emerging female filmmakers. I’m excited to grow it into a space that not only tells stories, but really supports and uplifts women in the industry through something as accessible as social media.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://slowdriftcollective.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/slowdriftcollective/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-alexandra
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBEN-mjyf-s
