An Alumna's Advice for Aspiring Filmmakers

Carolina Cavalli ’13 made the transition from a comparative literature major to an award-winning screenwriter, director and author, whose first film, Amanda (2022), achieved acclaim at both the Venice and Toronto international film festivals.

She says that her time in Paris exploring the city’s many small cinemas was one of the biggest drivers for her personal passion for film. “I loved the cinemagoing experience,” she explains. “It made me realize I could combine my desire to write and my love of the screen.”

Cavalli’s advice to current AUP students looking to break into the film industry is to take themselves seriously right from the start – even if other people don’t. She encourages them to reach out to industry professionals with email introductions and through networking without concern for how they might respond. Worstcase scenario? They don’t. “That shyness is something lots of people have,” she says. “But it’s not going to help your career.”

Amanda stars Benedetta Porcaroli in the title role as a woman returning to her Italian hometown from Paris who attempts to convince a childhood acquaintance that they are somehow still best friends.