Rising Stars: Meet Fernanda Neu of Los Angeles, CA

Today we’d like to introduce you to Fernanda Neu.

Hi Fernanda, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’m a Brazilian-born writer and director based in Los Angeles, and my journey into film started less like a plan and more like an obsession.
I’ve always been drawn to stories, especially the emotional, messy, and slightly ridiculous moments of growing up. Storytelling became my way of understanding identity, relationships, and ambition.
Moving from Brazil to Los Angeles marked a major turning point. I earned a BFA in Film from ArtCenter College of Design, where I developed not only technical skills but also a stronger sense of voice and perspective. Being immersed in a creative and demanding environment pushed me to refine my style and take my ideas seriously.
Over time, I realized I wasn’t interested in telling conventional or overly dramatic stories. I wanted to create narratives that felt emotional but playful, intimate yet visually bold — stories about people trying to figure themselves out while chasing big dreams.
Today, I’m focused on building a body of work that reflects that vision. My journey is still unfolding, but everything I’ve done so far from moving countries to developing my voice as a storyteller has shaped the kind of writer and director I am becoming.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Absolutely not. It’s been anything but smooth. There is so many times you doubt yourself and your skills, and you get one thousand No’s, but when you get that one yes is the best feeling in the world. As a creative, you always have to come up with creative solutions to your problems, that is what has been working for me.

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?
That’s such a funny question.
As a screenwriter, I’ve always been a book girl. I grew up reading obsessively and writing fanfiction as a teenager, so I feel like I genuinely understand audiences. Somehow, the world kept pulling me into book adaptations gigs — which was never something I planned or specifically dreamed of, but now it’s something I absolutely love.
As a book-reader girlie myself, I feel a huge sense of responsibility when adapting a story. I know how personal books can be, so I really care about doing them justice. The fanfiction mindset never left me — it’s still very much how I think as a screenwriter.
As a director, I naturally gravitate toward quirky, unexpected ideas. I end up doing strange, playful projects — like a Roomba commercial or Mixtape — stories that are funny, visually bold, and emotionally chaotic in the best way. I love messing with people’s emotions, but in a fun, cinematic way.

What’s next?
I’m very focused on getting a feature film produced in the near future. I don’t really care whether I direct it or write it, I’m done with shorts. What matters to me is that it happens. I want to be deeply involved in a project that feels ambitious, personal, and emotionally resonant.

At the same time, if I am talking about short-form content, I want to expand my portfolio in commercials. I love the creative freedom of that space , the chance to experiment with visuals, tone, and storytelling in a condensed format. For me, the future is about scale and range: moving into longer narratives while continuing to explore bold, playful ideas in commercial work.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://fernandaneu.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/f.e.h/