Meet Paul Bestolarides of Burbank

Today we’d like to introduce you to Paul Bestolarides

Hi Paul, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My interest in the visual medium was sparked by the classic films I watched as a child. This inspiration led me to begin filming short projects with friends, gradually progressing to more ambitious works. A few early films deeply influenced my desire to focus on meaningful stories, particularly Ingmar Bergman’s Persona (1966) and Terrence Malick’s Days of Heaven (1978). I have always been fascinated by exploring the complexities of the human condition. This approach focuses on crafting meaningful narratives through subtle yet powerful moments, where even a single evocative image or fleeting impression can reveal the full depth of a story.

The constant traveling I experienced as a child became my greatest inspiration, leading me to capture photographs of everything around me. There were particularly warm memories of childhood in Samos, Greece. There is, and always will be, so much to explore in the world. The camera of the mind never stops running. There is always a strong advocacy for freedom of expression, and creative minds must unite and support one another. I admit that my creative ambitions were profoundly inspired by the dedication and talent of the cast and crew, whose invaluable contributions have been instrumental in bringing me to where I am today.

I am passionate about sharing compelling stories through the visual medium. A group of students and I were eager to dive back into filmmaking after COVID. I am proud to announce all of my current and alumni students were a part of the entire Crew for my first feature-length film.
In addition to filmmaking, I enjoy teaching Video Production and Humanities courses at the Junior college and University levels. I find it rewarding to mentor students, nurturing their creativity and helping them develop their skills.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
If the road were smooth, the journey would not be interesting. There are always financial challenges, yet much like the visual medium, it is not just about what is said but what is seen. Despite these challenges, we continually find ways to improve our craft. The greatest challenge in our recent feature-length film was that we shot at real locations that were only available for a limited amount of time.

Our film follows Audrey, a young nurse haunted by the death of a patient, who leaves the hospital to become a private-duty nurse. She is assigned to care for Leah, a former movie star battling illness. In an attempt to lift Leah’s spirits, Audrey encourages her to revisit her acting career, unintentionally triggering an unhealthy obsession with the past.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Filmmaking and videography are my primary focus, though I am currently focusing on directing, producing, and other creative roles. There is something uniquely rewarding about creating media—it’s a feeling that never gets old. What may set me apart from others is my persistence; I do not give up easily and am ready to face challenges. Filmmaking, after all, is about tackling unforeseen challenges, making quick, impulsive decisions, and bringing new ideas to life. My advice to anyone in this craft is to embrace mistakes because that’s where the magic happens!

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
What you do not show can be just as powerful as what you do, which is why music is essential to any creative project. In my youth as a violinist, I trained in the Suzuki method and cultivated a profound admiration for the great composers. I especially enjoy classical music for its ability to elevate on-screen visuals and evoke deep emotions.

For our recent feature-length film, our composer Steve Wright brought his incredible talent to the score, while his wife, Barbara, provided her stunning vocals. Although I’ve only had the chance to meet them in person once, we have collaborated on projects for many years. Both Steve and Barbara are creative masterminds, and their contributions have been integral to the musical process. We are actively submitting our project to festivals and cannot wait to share our film with the world!

Contact Info:

• Website: http://imdb.me/pauldbestolarides
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paul_bestolarides/

Image Credits
1. Samos, Greece 2. Production Still of feature-length film 3. Character poster starring Audrey Booth 4. Paul (Director) Steve (Composer) Barbara (vocalist)