Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Moreno And Madison Fitts
Hi Lauren Moreno and Madison Fitts, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
We both started in the film industry as actresses, but it was during our time as Health and Safety Monitors on the set of The Orville that we finally took the leap into directing. Being able to witness firsthand how TV Shows were made gave us this incredible opportunity to fully immerse ourselves in an industry that we had dreamed of being a part of for years. Working during COVID was very challenging, but through it all, we’re so grateful for the opportunities it brought us. We eventually both worked our way up to supervisor positions for Disney and had the chance to do it together. Honestly, it was such a life-changing experience for us.
Our first short film, Palmdale, a heartfelt family drama shot in Palmdale, CA, marked a major turning point in our careers. Directed by Lauren and produced by Madison, the film has received incredible recognition in its festival circuit. We’ve been fortunate to have it play at numerous festivals, including the Portland Film Festival, The Valley Film Festival, Noho CineFest, SIMI Film Festival, Sherman Oaks Film Festival, and several others.
As Palmdale continues its festival run, it has brought us remarkable achievements, with Lauren receiving Best L.A. Filmmaker and Best Emerging Filmmaker, and both of us earning a Best Writing nomination. The film has also received several other wins for Best Actress and Best Drama and has been nominated for Best Supporting Actress and Best Score. We’re so proud of how far Palmdale has come and grateful for the journey it’s taken us on.
Our next project, Socks and Flying Saucers, is Madison’s directorial debut, an ambitious surrealist family drama that is also a deeply personal and semi-autobiographical story. Produced by Lauren, this project pushed us to grow even further as filmmakers. Now in post-production, we’re incredibly excited to share it with the world soon.
We are also very excited about our latest project, Bag Boys, a proof-of-concept pilot written and created by Lauren and her brother. They have been developing this heartfelt story for over four years, a deeply personal project that follows a young Mexican-American dreamer who spends his days bagging groceries in the San Fernando Valley, just a few miles from Hollywood but a lifetime away from the life he wants. Rooted in their shared love for cinema and profound connection to the Valley’s rich history, Bag Boys brings to light the untold stories that have shaped its unique identity. As we prepare to launch our fundraising campaign, we’re so excited to invite others to join us in bringing this project to life.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Every film project comes with its own set of challenges, and we’ve faced them all. Especially as female filmmakers carving out our space in this industry, it’s been quite the journey. From relentless weather, to logistical nightmares, every shoot has tested our resilience, but those challenges have only sharpened our instincts and strengthened our storytelling.
For Palmdale, just getting the RV to set became an adventure of its own. It broke down literally every mile and seemed like it wasn’t going to make it, looking like something straight out of The Three Stooges. But somehow, it finally rolled onto set, and that shoot turned into such a beautiful experience. It was a perfect reminder that the toughest obstacles often lead to the most rewarding moments.
For Socks and Flying Saucers, that shoot felt like a test of sheer will. A rainstorm hit, power lines went down, and our location lost electricity for almost the entire shoot. To make things even tougher, several stores around us were also out of generators. It felt like everything was working against us, but we adapted, found solutions, and kept pushing forward.
Beyond the production challenges, one of the biggest struggles for us is finding other like-minded creatives, which is why we’re always looking to collaborate, connect, and build genuine friendships with people who share our passion for filmmaking. No matter what obstacles come our way, we push through, because getting to tell stories through film is something we’ll never take for granted.
In the near future, we’re also gearing up to start our own production company — one dedicated to amplifying voices and stories that often go unseen. Our goal is to create a space where passionate storytellers can come together and bring bold, meaningful projects to life.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We are both directors and producing partners committed to telling humanistic, character-driven stories that highlight the beauty and struggles of everyday life. Our work is rooted in capturing slice-of-life narratives that feel both deeply personal and universally resonant.
Together, we’ve produced two larger-scale short films, Palmdale and Socks and Flying Saucers, along with several smaller projects. Each film has shaped us in different ways — pushing us to take creative risks, refine our storytelling, and navigate the challenges of independent filmmaking. They’ve also allowed us to build these beautiful relationships with other talented collaborators who have helped bring these stories to life.
Performance is at the heart of everything we do. Having both started as actresses, we deeply understand what it means to be in front of the camera, the vulnerability it requires, and the magic that happens when an actor feels truly supported. That perspective shapes the way we direct, ensuring that every set we run, feels collaborative for actors to explore, and bring their characters to life. We believe the strongest performances come from trust, and we make it our mission to cultivate that environment in every project we take on.
What sets us apart is our dedication to highlighting often overlooked stories and bringing them to life with beauty and excellence. We admire filmmakers like Sean Baker, Andrea Arnold, Chloé Zhao, Terrence Malick, and, like them, we strive to tell raw, deeply humanistic stories that feel authentic, immersive, and emotionally resonant.
We’re now currently gearing up for our biggest project yet! Bag Boys is an independent 30-minute dramedy pilot about a young Mexican-American dreamer bagging groceries in the San Fernando Valley, just miles from Hollywood but worlds away from the life he wants. Trapped by self-doubt and family expectations, he escapes into movies — the one place he truly belongs. But as life closes in, he must face the reality that the biggest obstacle standing between him and his dreams is himself.
Ultimately, we believe storytelling has the power to change lives, bridge gaps, and foster deep empathy. As we move forward with Bag Boys, we’re excited to keep building a body of work that reflects the world as we see it — raw, messy, and full of a whole lotta heart.
How do you define success?
To us, success isn’t just about accomplishments. It’s about creating work we’re proud of, finding fulfillment in the process, and making a meaningful impact. It’s about supporting each other and leaving the world a little better than we found it.
A big part of that fulfillment comes from telling stories we’re passionate about alongside the people we care about. Filmmaking is a collaborative art, and one of the most rewarding aspects is building something meaningful with friends and other artists. There’s nothing better than seeing everyone’s ideas come together to create something that belongs to all of us.
For us, success isn’t just about making films. It’s about building a life where we can create consistently, collaborate with incredible people, and enjoy the journey along the way. And if those stories connect with audiences, resonate with people, and maybe even inspire others, then that’s more than success — that’s the dream.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.laurenmorenofilms.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurenmorenofilms
- Facebook: https://www.instagram.com/itsmissfitts
- Other: https://www.msftfilms.com
Image Credits
Personal Photo – Lauren pictured on (left)
and Madison on (right)
Additional Photos – (Order of Appearance)
Madison (left) & Lauren (right) – On set of Palmdale – Shot by: Brandon Butler
Palmdale Film Still – Shot by: Gavin Wynn
Palmdale Film Still – Shot by: Gavin Wynn
Palmdale BTS – Shot by: Lauren Moreno
Palmdale Private Screening – Shot by Oren Klein
Socks and Flying Saucers Film Still – Shot by: Gavin Wynn – Actress (Rene Leech)
Socks and Flying Saucers BTS – Shot by Lauren Moreno
Socks and Flying Saucers BTS – Shot by Lauren Moreno
Socks and Flying Saucers BTS – Shot by Lauren Moreno
