We recently connected with Acanthys Films and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Acanthys Films thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you tell us the backstory behind how you came up with the idea?

Acanthys Films was created by 4 friends, Kenny Nguyen, Priscilla Dasilva, Alex Cabrera and Mary Tran, who each desired to create compelling works together after working alone in the film industry for close to a decade.

We had all met at the University of Texas at Arlington’s film and video undergrad program back in 2014, where we began to learn our craft. Following each of our graduation from the program we all went our separate paths in the industry only coming together on special occasions or projects, cheering each other from a far in our successes. Following the 2020 Covid-19 Pandemic, a need for friendship and community was built with one another and we began to hang out more and more frequently and in turn began working together. We soon realized that there was a real synergy with us and soon an idea sparked by our very own Priscilla that maybe we should combine our skills and experience together and make something that could grow bigger than us alone. Individually, we have all experience success alone, but there is something magical about collaborating together that was just too good to pass out and so together we created Acanthys Films.

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.

Acanthys Films is a film and video production company that was created out of a need to develop meaningful and thoughtful stories with collaboration at its center to provide an excellent end-product to clients and audiences alike. We felt that there was a demand for high quality video work from businesses that simply wasn’t being tapped and using our years of experienced and connections within the film and video industry, we believe that together we can provide said work for businesses that exist on every level, from mom-and-pop shops, non-profits to well known companies with sought-out brands. Acanthys Films services include television and streaming commercials, website and social media marketing materials.

What sets us apart from other production companies is that we’re also looking to make an impact in our local community and help change the culture of our industry in being more collaborative and empathetic towards one another. In the coming months as matters take shape we hope to create events that will help bring in members of the community in participating in workshops and networking events for industry folks.

Something that people can look forward to is that we’re also developing our own projects that we will begin pre-production during the Summer of 2024, as well as a video podcast with rotating guests. Make sure to follow our social media pages for future updates!

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

We created a film and video production company that has diversity and inclusion as a pillar of our mission, so for us, it is a goal to create a platform that gives a spotlight- a voice to those that have often been voiceless for too long. It is deeply important to be cognizant of said issue. We (Alex, Priscilla, Kenny and Mary) have experienced this issue in one way or another and our personal film work is a reflection of our experiences and it would be a mistake to ignore that as a company. It is with a great joy in stating that our mission is to uplift those around us and enjoy in our successes

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Nowadays there is this idea that’s prevalent in our culture, that it is better and easier to “do everything on your own”. It is a lesson that we are taught early on and we soon adapt to our own silos of isolation and we then brand this isolation as individuality. In doing, so we forget to develop the simply skills of collaboration. Film is an inherently collaborative art that requires a lot of people to work together in unison to make it all successful. It is hard to unlearn toxic individuality, but the first step in doing so is simply asking for help. For many of us within the company, it was something that we did for years and honestly still do, but just like any skill or habit, it gets easier and better the more times you do it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://acanthys.myportfolio.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acanthysfilms/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/acanthys-film-9823282aa/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AcanthysFilm
• Other: Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@acanthysfilms?_t=8lRsksB8Pde&_r=1

Image Credits
Shania Khan Kenny Nguyen Vanessa Tellez Mary Tran