Leah Warshawski is a director and producer. Her award-winning first feature film, “Finding Hillywood,” screened at more than 65 festivals around the world. She is currently co-executive producing the feature documentary “Personhood.” Warshawski advises filmmakers on outreach, marketing, and hybrid distribution plans, and co-founded rwandafilm.org in 2012, a “LinkedIn” for Rwandan filmmakers supported by Bpeace and The Academy of Motion Pictures.
“Big Sonia” will premiere at the 2016 DOC NYC film festival on November 15. The film is co-directed by Todd Soliday.
W&H: Describe the film for us in your own words.
LW: “Big Sonia” is a feature documentary about a diva, Holocaust survivor, and national treasure who is making a big impact.
Our film explores how trauma affects families, and how one tiny lady inspires people of all ages and cultures to live every day to its fullest. The core question our film explores is, “Will you let your past define you?”
W&H: What drew you to this story?
LW: Sonia is an engaging character in a dying generation. She can draw audiences in to larger, universal themes. She also happens to be my grandmother.
W&H: What do you want people to think about when they are leaving the theater?
LW: We want people to think about their own families, personal trauma, and whether they are living life to its fullest despite whatever has happened in the past.
W&H: What was the biggest challenge in making the film?
LW: Like most documentaries, our biggest challenge was funding. That’s why the film took us five years to complete.
W&H: How did you get your film funded? Share some insights into how you got the film made.
LW: A combination of grants, personal investments, individual donations, and fundraisers.
W&H: What does it mean for you to have your film play at DOC NYC?
LW: It was our dream five years ago to have our NYC premiere at DOC NYC, so we are ecstatic! We have a lot of colleagues and supporters in NYC who will hopefully be able to attend our screenings and we’re honored to be a part of such a renowned and respected program.
W&H: What’s the best and worst advice you’ve received?
LW: Best advice: “Nobody owes you anything.”
Worst advice: “Don’t quit your day job.”
W&H: What advice do you have for other female directors?
LW: Show up early, leave late, and remember that no job is beneath you. “The best captain is the best crew,” meaning you have to be willing to jump in and help out with many jobs that aren’t as glamorous. Respect is always earned, but being a kind and authentic person will always garner respect.
W&H: Name your favorite woman-directed film and why.
LW: Sofia Coppola’s “Lost In Translation,” because I still think about that film and how it perfectly depicted a foreigner’s experience abroad, especially in Japan.
W&H: Have you seen opportunities for women filmmakers increase over the last year due to the increased attention paid to the issue? If someone asked you what you thought needed to be done to get women more opportunities to direct, what would be your answer?
LW: In Seattle where I’m based I have not seen opportunities “increase” but we have a very committed and strong base of female directors who work as much as the male directors I know.
In order to get women more opportunities to direct I think more women need to join the industry and start working their way up. I work with a lot of inspiring women who worked hard to get where they are and I feel honored to have female mentors and to be able to mentor others.
