We celebrate our moment as women today. Today women celebrate that they can be bad-ass and taken seriously, whilst also being women, and recognized for their beauty as women.

Interview with Writer/Director Sophia Banks

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

I made the film because as a female director I found myself in the beginning of my career as a director feeling like I had to dress like a man to be taken seriously on set.I decided that I didn’t need to do change my femininity and I could still be a woman and do what I do. And so I decided to make a film to inspire women that they can still be feminine and beautiful and be a badass. So I spend 3 months searching for professional female skaters who could wear Christian Siriano’s couture gowns and skate.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

Because it’s inspiring, super fun visually and it’s something you’ve never seen before.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

Personal theme: The fact that I actually wanted to be a director 15 years ago but couldn’t find a way in the door as a woman; I felt like I had to dress like a man to be accepted. Then as I got comfortable I realized I could be a woman, be feminine, and direct. And that in fact, having a woman’s viewpoint behind the camera is an advantage.

Universal theme: I think women are realizing that they can be badass and have power and don’t have to give up their femininity.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?

It originally started as an idea of something that I thought, gosh, it would be so great to see women skateboarding in couture. From that it evolved to how could we get women skateboarding in couture. It then evolved to setting up a story, incorporating Downtown LA, and then once we cast the women finding out what tricks they could or couldn’t do. Those were the barriers we had to navigate while filming.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

Overwhelmingly great feedback. Huge response from so many people, nominations and awards. It’s been featured in websites and magazines. I’m thrilled.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

I didn’t think that more could be made of this, but I’ve had people ask for longer versions and I’m now looking at that.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

I would love for more people to see my work and get more feedback from other artists and viewers.

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

I’d like people to see this film and be inspired to break the molds of society.

Making it on Time - Girls, beauty and strength.

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

How can a woman be truly a woman and be boss at the same time?

Would you like to add anything else?

Think we’ve got it covered!

What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?

We’re currently working on two feature films and a short. Constantly writing, story boarding and planning for our releases. 2018 is going to be a big year!

Interview: August 2017

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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series and music video. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela

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Making it on Time

Length: 2 minutes

Director: Sophia Banks

Producer: LiveTribe

Writer: Sophia Banks

About the writer, director and producer:

Director & Writer

Sophia Banks defined herself as a director with the award-winning short she shot for Christian Siriano, Making It On Time, featuring women wearing couture gowns skateboarding through the moody streets and industrial back alleys of Downtown Los Angeles. This short was nominated for over 15 awards including winning Oscar-qualifying HollyShorts Film Festival, TMC London Film Festival Film Fest Miami and being nominated for Best Short, Best Fashion Film, and Best Director at film festivals around the world including: Moët & Chandon Tribeca Film Festival, Berlin and Milano Fashion Film Festivals, Los Angeles Film Awards and many more.

LiveTribe:

LiveTribe is an innovative production company comprised of a multinational team of filmmakers. Our team, with its diverse talents, combines over 60 years of creative film-making experience with a highly personalized and often multi-platformed approach to each project.

Key cast: Jessica Gomes, Skaters: Marissa Martinez, Ivy Miller, Amelia Brodka

Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists): All of the above

Social media handles:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sophiabanksc/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/sophiabanksc

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sophiabanksc/

Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bankssophia/

Funders:

Made in association with:

Where can I see it in the next month? The Fashion Film Festival Milano, or online at: https://vimeo.com/205256855