Portrait of Mia shot by London based filmmaker and photographer, Ray Roberts. April 2022.
Follow Ray here: Ray Roberts
The Future of Filmmaking, 2019
Photographed by Sharon Martinez
Shot by Sharon Martinez
The Future of Filmmaking by Cherthismoment
Mia Moran was part of the Future of Filmmaking photo series project created by Sharon Martinez.
Read The Story:
Name: Mia Moran
She/Her
Age: 20
Location: Santa Barbara
Mexican & Guatemalan but grew up in Santa Barbara, CA
Why am I a filmmaker?
Growing up, I would film funny little videos with a webcam and make short movies with my cousins. I was about 9 years old and this is when I started posting my videos on YouTube. I also went through a time of complete isolation and depression when I was about 10 years old due to my father passing away. I leaned more and more towards writing and journaling, and then soon turned my writing into short films. I continued to mature and find my own voice by creating personal films and vlogs on my YouTube channel. I was bullied a lot in high school. Everything from being small, liking film, and even having curly hair! I know… crazy, right?
Expressing myself online allowed me to feel like I was doing something right. I found people like me and I no longer felt like I was alone. I realized the importance of speaking up about mental health, bullying and more. Knowing how many people I’ve inspired by my own videos reminds me how wonderful it is to fully be myself and to follow what I love. It’s been over 10 years and I’ve continued to flourish in ways that has allowed me to continue sharing bits and pieces of myself through many different creative mediums.
Dreams and aspiration:
I’ve always loved music. I would love to turn my passion for film and music by creating music videos for artists. I also just love creating things with my friends, so as long as I’m staying busy and creating something new; I’m content.
What and who inspires you?
Music, my mom, my grandma. The things I experience. There’s so much! I really don't have one specific thing that inspires me but I’ll usually be inspired by the people I meet, things I feel and stories that I hear.
What does the future of film look like?
MORE WOMXN! MORE POC! The silenced voices finally being heard. Their potential finally being recognized. Womxn are so incredible and we have so much to talk about. It’s no longer: “womxn deal with the paperwork while the men do the heavy camera work.” But more “Yes… I am a womxn, and I can do this”. Males in the film industry need to stop underestimating a womxn with a camera. We’re a boss and when given the chance, we can make some of the most unique and powerful films ever.
The Future of Filmmaking by Cherthismoment was featured on @dolescentcontent and The Ellas Podcast.