Tell us about your decision to become a filmmaker. 

My decision was actually pretty organic. I was introduced to literature by my mother; she is a writer. I myself was compelled to write stories from an early age. It started with my mother’s love of literature and then grew into my own love of writing stories. When I was in high school, I took an extra-curricular video-making class and that made me want to pursue further studies in cinema. This path felt accessible to me because of that class. I had some great teachers and I would look forward to getting their feedback. I would even look forward to constructive criticism, not just the compliments.

Which scene was your favourite to write?

I am very proud of my web series, Reine. I felt free to say what I wanted to through this series because I knew our platform would be YouTube and that they wouldn’t restrict us. I didn’t have to deal with a producer telling me, “Change this”, “Change that”, and so on. I’m very proud of portraying that subject matter; it came from my heart and it’s still relevant, years later. 

Which scene was your favourite to direct?

The final scene from my first short film, Je t’aime à mort. It was based on a true story and happened to people who are very close to me. The real-life story that inspired the film involved domestic abuse and did not conclude in the same way. I felt it was an empowering ending for the main character. I knew I had to find a powerful ending so I had the character confront her aggressor. It was also my first experience directing fiction. Even though this type of ending for this type of case doesn’t often happen in real life, I felt compelled to make it happen on screen. 

How autobiographical is your work?

I do use real-life stories and events for inspiration. The story that prompted Je t’aime à mort was haunting me and I was trying to process it so I decided to translate it into a film. Though it’s not a story about me, I still had to deal with my own emotions about it through the writing and shooting process. For instance, the new movie I’m working on is modelled after my own experience. I’m having a lot of difficulty writing it out because of how deep I have to dig into myself in order to interpret it for the screen. Only then will I be able to feel some sense of release.

What is the hardest lesson you’ve learned as a screenwriter?

I went to l’INIS (film school). Through that experience, I learned how to receive feedback; the good and the bad. It felt frustrating at first, but I learned how to take it in and grow from it. You’re never going to just write something one time without editing or rewriting and then have it translate automatically to the screen. Even though you get attached, sometimes you have to let go. Writing is very personal and vulnerable but you have to learn to adjust to the process. It will only make you a better writer. 

What is the hardest lesson you’ve learned as a director?

Don’t be afraid to delegate. It’s a huge investment to be a writer, director, or producer. Depending on your role, you have to be able to delegate so you can focus on your specific role. Trust yourself, your particular skills, and trust your team. Focus on directing your actors or working on the story, and then trust in your decisions as a leader.

“Depending on your role, you have to be able to delegate so you can focus on your specific role. Trust yourself, your particular skills, and trust your team. Focus on directing your actors or working on the story, and then trust in your decisions as a leader.”

Whose work is most exciting to you right now? 

Ava Duvernay. She’s someone I relate to so much. She started her career as a director very late and I’m so grateful for her work. 

Issa Rae, too. She’s inspired me so much with her web series and that’s what encouraged me to create my own web series. Even with the lack of resources she had at the beginning of her career, you could feel her immense talent. 

What is your go-to feel-good movie or TV show?

I love all the old school movies, from the 90s and 2000s. Love and Basketball and Girlfriends. They make me feel nostalgic and remind me of why I wanted to make films.

In what specific area would you like to see the industry change?

The jury panels and the gatekeepers at SODEC and other institutions that decide where to give funding. We need more diversity among those who decide which projects get to be made. More Black producers, too. They will lift up other marginalised filmmakers.

[BLANK] is a f*cking perfect film/TV show, (I wouldn’t change a thing).

Spike Lee’s Bamboozled. 

Sandra’s webseries’, Reine and Bonne Figure, are available to watch here and here.