We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sarah Moshman a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Sarah, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

One of the most meaningful projects and organizations I’ve been a part of is Look What SHE Did! We are a 501(c)3 non-profit that focuses on shining a light on women’s stories we should never forget. Our collection boasts over 150 short films (and counting!) each one rich with storytelling of a woman who’s contribution to society you’ve likely never heard of and will be changed after watching.

In May I ran a program for women filmmakers over 30 called Look What SHE’s Doing! which was such a gift to teach women how to use the camera, and tell the stories that matter to them. In the program the cohort of 12 women made 3 more Look What SHE Did! films for our collection.

I joined the team a year ago and have just transitioned into my new role as Artistic Director, it is an honor to be part of this legacy.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am a filmmaker. I have been directing movies – documentaries and narrative films since I was 16 years old, so for over 20 years now! It’s all I’ve ever wanted to do or be, and being a filmmaker encompasses so much. So many skills and so many jobs in one. It is the (hardest) and greatest career path I could have ever hoped for.

I went to film school, moved out to LA in 2008, spent 5 years doing the reality tv producer path – I was a field producer on “Dancing with the Stars” for 10 seasons + many more shows, and each experience taught me a lot. The biggest thing I learned during that time was that I wanted to create my own work and have more ownership over my creativity and where I put my energy. So I started directing and producing feature-length documentaries, as well as short form docs, branded content, commercials, narrative shorts (and someday narrative features!) all surrounding the topic of representing women on screen. My goal is to uplift, inform and inspire the world with stories of real, complex, flawed, strong women.

My films are:

The Empowerment Project: Ordinary Women Doing Extraordinary Things
Losing Sight of Shore
Nevertheless
Unbound
A Mother is Born

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I think as women we are constantly in need of unlearning lessons in order to step into our power and fulfill our potential. As girls we are socialized to be small, to value our appearance as our primary source of value, to be polite, not take up space, bend to the needs of others, shy away from leadership, and so much more. All of this micro interactions we have with other people, with media, add up to women feeling less than, insecure, or incapable of dreaming bigger or aiming higher. I have seen it over and over and over again. I wonder what the world would look like if girls were socialized differently, but also if women unlearned these harmful ideals much sooner.

As soon as I started making my own work in the world and finding my own path, my confidence started coming from deep within. I stopped seeking as much external validation because the satisfaction of knowing I could create a film from nothing, work with an amazing team, raise money, secure distribution, and potentially influence and inspire millions of people – that is empowerment for me, and all I want to do is share that feeling with more girls and women.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

I love when I finish a film and in many ways that film then grows up, moves out and shows me what it needs to be in the world. It’s powerful to see how your work is reflected back to you, since for so long you are alone with your film or with very few people. When someone tells me my work meant something to them, it gives me a deep sense of satisfaction!

Contact Info:

• Website: http://sarahmoshman.com
• Instagram: @sarahmoshman
• Facebook: Sarah Moshman
• Linkedin: Sarah Moshman
• Twitter: @sarahmosh

Image Credits

Lauren Hillary

Kat Hennessey