Do you know how many filmmakers either live or make movies here in Rhode Island? I don’t, but I do know there are quite a few of them creating all kinds of films.
In my work as an actor, I have crossed paths with many talented folks on set and at events. Today, I would like to introduce you to five of them and share their perspectives on being a movie maker right here in our very own Ocean State.
Andersson Tejeda is a RI-based bilingual actor and filmmaker whose creative journey began with acting in 2007; filmmaking started about four years later. His work spans theatre, film, and live performance, with credits including Terapia, La Dama Duende, La Golondrina, Glazed and Confused, Nico, and the feature film Almost Blue. Most recently, he performed in La Broa en tu barrio with RILA’s Teatro en el Verano program. He also appeared in Extraño, co-directed by K. Elisa Garcia and Lía Lockhart, that recently screened at the Rhode Island International Film Festival.
Andersson is currently preparing to graduate from the Legacy Collective while editing several projects, including a short film he directed and produced and a Legacy’s graduation project. He’s also developing The Seven Deaths, an anthology of horror/thriller micro-shorts inspired by the seven deadly sins, and working toward raising funds for another feature film.
For Andersson, Rhode Island offers filmmakers something that deserves more attention: incredible diversity in locations. From Providence’s historic architecture to forests, beaches, and even landscapes that can stand in for a desert, filmmakers can find an amazing range of settings within a relatively short distance. Granted, a few might take longer than 15 minutes but so worth it!
His advice to those starting out? Do the work. Get the reps in. Make your own projects. And don’t quit your day job… yet.
Lía Lockhart is a Dominican-American, Afro-Latina, bilingual actress, writer, director, and creator whose work is rooted in authenticity, versatility, and a deep commitment to storytelling. Born and raised in Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic, Lía began her artistic journey in theatre before expanding into film and digital storytelling.
Since beginning her filmmaking journey in 2016, Lía has been on both sides of the camera. As an actress, her credits include The Killer, Shotgun Wedding, Ella McCay, Hermanos, and leading roles in Proxy and La Vida Chueca. As a filmmaker, she wrote and directed Está bien llorar, Alicia, which earned multiple festival awards, including Best Director and Best Short Film. She later co-directed Extraño, which had its world premiere at the Rhode Island International Film Festival this year.
Lía is currently writing another short film and feature, while building what she calls her “dream team” with other New England filmmakers. She believes Rhode Island could benefit from more networking opportunities for creatives.
Her advice to emerging filmmakers is simple and powerful: “If nothing is happening, do it yourself. Create a path for yourself.” And looking back, she says she would keep creating independent pieces—because sometimes the best way forward is to make your own way.
Sophia Blum is an actor, director, writer, educator, and producer whose career spans theatre, television, film, and the classroom. A longtime theatre actor, she began working in film and television around 2018 and is best known for her recurring role as Martha on The Chosen. Her stage credits include The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, Orlando Shakespeare Theater, The Gamm Theatre, and Commonwealth Shakespeare Theater, as well as off-Broadway.
Sophia recently stepped behind the camera for the first time as a filmmaker with Are You Crazy, Mia?, which she wrote, co-directed with Manya Glassman, and starred in. The short film premiered at the RI International Film Festival this year. She describes her collaboration with Glassman as a “Rare creative partnership built on complete trust and even a little mind-reading.”
Currently filming Season 7 of The Chosen, Sophia is also developing a television series with a fellow writer while pursuing more acting and directing opportunities. She believes RI’s filmmaking community is overflowing with talent and hopes more local productions will recognize the wealth of cast and crew available right here.
Her advice to filmmakers? “It’s never as bad as the first cut.” Take your time, stay true to your vision, and remember that being uncompromising doesn’t mean you can’t be a great collaborator—you can, and must, be both.
You can check out a conversation I had with Sophia on my podcast, BTS with DMK — Episode #2 that you can find on the PODCAST page of Motif’s website.
Tommy DeNucci is an award-winning RI filmmaker, writer, and director whose work spans feature films, documentaries, and television. A true genre-bender, DeNucci has worked across crime, horror, action, comedy, drama, and documentary, developing a distinctive cinematic style rooted in bold storytelling and emotionally driven characters. I had the opportunity to work with him in a different capacity: as actors. The two of us were part of a recent Hip Cat production with Josh Kirk.
Tommy began filmmaking in 2002, during his senior year of high school, and has continued building an impressive independent film career. He is a two-time recipient of the Robert Aldrich Filmmaker Award at the RI International Film Festival, winning in 2013 and again in 2025. Most recently, he received the Director’s Choice Award for Bad News on the Doorstep from the RI International Film Festival.
His latest project is Renew, starring Theo Rossi and Ron Perlman, which he co-wrote and directed in Montana. He has also just completed editing Jungle Rules, starring Jonathan Stoddard, Nella Jole, and Robert Davi. Next, he’ll return to the writing desk, developing several feature screenplays.
He is optimistic about RI’s filmmaking future, giving a shout out to its talented crews, filmmakers, and diverse locations.
His advice? “Don’t wait for opportunities, create them.” And for writers: “Writers write.” Put down the phone, make something — and then make another one.
Jonathan Pineda is a filmmaker who began his creative journey in 2021, focusing on narrative fiction and stories that explore a range of genres and human experiences. Still relatively early in his filmmaking career – he is a recent graduate of the Rhode Island College film program – Jonathan is already building a body of work that reflects his commitment to developing his voice through hands-on experience and collaboration.
I first crossed paths with him a few years back on the set of his then-classmate’s production, When The Clocks Chime. Recently, we worked together on one of his horror films.
His latest project, Buried in Silence, represents the next step in his movie making journey. He’s also looking ahead to two upcoming projects: The Last Bride, scheduled for December 4, and When Silence Dies, debuting on February 5. I starred in and served as one of the producers for The Last Bride.
For Jonathan, the ideal filmmaking “dream team” isn’t necessarily about working with famous names. It’s about surrounding himself with people who believe in his vision and are willing to help bring it to life. He’d also like to see more opportunities for small narrative drama films, particularly projects that give filmmakers room to tell intimate, character-driven stories.
His advice to emerging filmmakers is simple: “Please make that film. Don’t wait for things to come naturally.” Instead of waiting for permission or the perfect opportunity, he believes filmmakers need to stand up and create the idea that’s already in their heads.
And his philosophy extends beyond filmmaking: Keep your personal circle small, but open yourself up professionally.
What comes through in talking with these filmmakers is that RI’s film community isn’t waiting around for permission. From established directors to emerging movie makers, they’re already writing, acting, producing, collaborating, and creating their own opportunities — and they see plenty of reasons to be optimistic about what’s happening here. There’s still room for more networking, more local hiring, and greater support for independent voices, but the talent and determination are undeniable.
So, if you’re a filmmaker, actor, writer, crew member, or simply someone who loves a good story, consider this your invitation: get involved. Show up. Make connections. Support local productions. And, most importantly, watch what’s being created right here in RI by the folks who live here. Because the next great Ocean State story may already be in production — and you just might very well be part of it.
Dennise M. Kowalczyk is a contributing writer and a podcast producer. Connect with her on Instagram at @theadventurebroad.
Rhode Island International Film Festival / Flickers 44
BTS with DMK Podcast – conversation with Sophia Blum
https://motifri.com/bts-with-dmk/ – podcast will be on the website on 9/30 and it is also on my Substack page: https://btswithdmk.substack.com/p/bts-with-dmk-ep-2
Hip Cat | Josh Kirk: https://motifri.com/bts-with-dmk-a-conversation-with-josh-kirk-of-hip-cat/