Meet Dianna Ippolito of Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dianna Ippolito.

Hi Dianna, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up in Southern California with my feisty Latina mother, my Italian pop, and two older sisters who always kept me on my toes. Our house was either brimming with music, or playing classic old movies, which was kind of a fun creative chaos. My dad, who was a radio broadcaster, used to read us bedtime stories every night, and his incredible voice brought the characters to life in such a memorable way, that it made a deep impression on me. I think it’s what got my imagination going so early on.

I knew in grade school that I wanted to be an artist. It started with writing short horror stories, mostly for extra credit, and segued into exploring music and painting, and photography. I even pursued a career in fashion photography bouncing between L.A. and New York, but it was when I discovered screenwriting, that everything clicked into place. I took a writing class at the American Film Institute with a friend, and six weeks later, I’d written my first screenplay. I felt such a sense of accomplishment that it was like a lightbulb turning on.

From there I was all in — learning everything about the craft, dissected scripts and movies just to understand what made the great ones stand the test of time. It’s been a wild ride, with plenty of ups and downs, but also some incredible moments. Along the way, I started directing and producing my own work—two feature films and a handful of award-winning shorts. It hasn’t always been easy, but it’s been so much more rewarding than I could’ve ever imagined.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Deciding to work in Hollywood—no matter what you’re doing—is always going to be a challenge. You’re up against so many talented people, and the rules for what works or doesn’t in a story are often decided by people who aren’t exactly creative but like to think they are. It can be frustrating, no doubt about it.
But if you can roll with the punches and stay true to yourself and your vision, you’ll end up outlasting a lot of others who give up too soon. I try to surround myself with talented and supportive people, because it really can make a difference. Shout out to my favorite DP Colten Currey, my muse actress Susan Lavelle, and my long-time collaborator and friend, actress Jennifer Collins for always being willing to go the extra mile on projects.
A career in Hollywood is not easy, but perseverance and belief in yourself is key.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a writer, director, and producer, and I love exploring all kinds of genres. That said, I have a special passion for biopics, coming-of-age stories, and historical period films. I’m drawn to stories about underdogs, about love, and about people who often get overlooked. There’s something so satisfying about shining a light on those untold or underrepresented narratives. One of my favorite filmmakers is Cameron Crowe, and he inspires me to create compelling, beautifully crafted stories — using his work as the bar to try and reach.

What sets me apart is definitely the stories I choose to tell. For example, my coming-of-age drama Racing Under the Moon, which is set against the backdrop of the Vietnam War, was a quarter-finalist in the 2024 Nicholl Screenwriting Fellowship. Another project, my political thriller Hunted, won first place in the Fade In Screenwriting Competition. That script focused on a little-known figure who acted as the courier for Nixon’s hush money during Watergate. Currently I am working on a new comedy feature Mafia Daddies, about two retired mafiosos with new babies at home, who get called in to do one last job.

I think true stories have a built-in drama that makes them so compelling—it’s like finding treasure when you dig into history or the lives of real people. It’s an endless source of inspiration, and it’s a thrill to bring those stories to life. Next one up for me takes place in 1969 and I’m already knee-deep into research.

What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
What I love most about Los Angeles is that it’s a hub for anyone who loves movies. There’s no other place where you can catch both old and new films, attend forums with filmmakers, and maybe even spot a star at the gas station. Plus, let’s be real—the weather isn’t too shabby either.

What I like the least? The smog, the traffic, the graffiti, and the growing number of homeless encampments. It’s tough to see, and I wish there were better solutions to help those in need.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @itsallhappeningfilms
• Twitter: @diannaseye