We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Alison Guessou. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Alison below.

Hi Alison, thanks for joining us today. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

One of the biggest risks I have taken was committing to build Djini Productions as more than a single project or a one off film. It meant choosing a long term vision over short term safety and deciding to invest time, money, and creative energy into stories that did not yet have guaranteed support or distribution.

The risk became very real while making Out of Time. Moving forward with a feature film without knowing how it would ultimately be received, funded, or distributed required trust in the work and in the reason it needed to exist. That choice paid off in ways I could not fully predict. The film found its audience, earned recognition, and is now distributed and available across major streaming platforms. More importantly, it proved that there was space for the kind of storytelling Djini Productions is committed to.

That experience led directly to another risk, building The Crewsaide. Instead of waiting for access or permission, I chose to help create community where it did not already exist. The Crewsaide started as an idea to connect filmmakers and creatives, and has grown into an active online space that supports collaboration, shared resources, and honest conversation about the realities of working in film. The risk was time and energy without knowing how quickly it would grow or what it might become.

What both risks taught me is that progress does not come from waiting until everything feels secure. It comes from building, testing, listening, and adjusting. Djini Productions and The Crewsaide now move forward together, one focused on creating stories and the other on supporting the people who make them. The outcome is still unfolding, but the foundation is real, and that makes the risk worth taking.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am a filmmaker, and the founder of Djini Productions, an independent film production company rooted in narrative storytelling and intentional representation. I came into filmmaking through a desire to tell stories I was not seeing reflected on screen, particularly stories centered on Black women and complex, human experiences that exist outside of stereotypes or trends.

My path into this work was not linear. I learned by doing, by building projects piece by piece, and by committing to the long game of developing stories from idea to execution. Over time, that commitment turned into Djini Productions, a company focused on creating short films, web series, and feature films that prioritize character, social context, and strong creative vision. Our first feature film, Out of Time, is now distributed and available across major streaming platforms, which remains a significant milestone and proof of what can happen when you stay focused on the work.

Beyond producing films, I am also building The Crewsaide, an active creative community designed to support filmmakers and creatives through connection, shared resources, and collaboration. It grew out of the recognition that access and community are often just as important as talent, and that many creatives are navigating this industry without meaningful support structures. The Crewsaide exists to help fill that gap while also serving as a proof of concept for a future physical creative space.

The work I create and support solves a few core problems. For audiences, it offers stories that feel grounded, intentional, and reflective of lived experiences that are often overlooked. For creatives, it creates opportunities to collaborate, build, and grow without waiting for permission or traditional gatekeeping. What sets my work apart is that it is built with care, patience, and long term vision rather than speed or trend chasing.

What I am most proud of is not just completing projects, but sustaining momentum. Continuing to write, develop, and build even when outcomes are not guaranteed. Building Djini Productions into a company with multiple projects in development, exploring new formats like short form storytelling, and laying the groundwork for future growth through community and collaboration.

What I want potential collaborators, supporters, and audiences to know is that this work is intentional. Every project is developed with purpose, and every step forward is about building something that lasts. Djini Productions is not about quick wins, but about creating meaningful stories and spaces that can grow over time.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

One moment that really tested my resilience was during the process of getting Out of Time made and ultimately released. There were long stretches where progress felt slow and uncertain, where funding was limited, timelines shifted, and it was not clear how or when the film would find its audience. It would have been easy to pause indefinitely or wait for the “right” opportunity to appear. Instead, I learned to keep moving forward in small but consistent ways, refining the work, seeking feedback, and staying committed even when validation was delayed. That persistence eventually led to the film being distributed and available across major platforms, but the resilience was built long before that outcome was visible.

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

One of the most important lessons I had to unlearn was the idea that legitimacy comes only after external approval. Early on, I believed that I needed certain credentials, backing, or recognition before I could fully step into my role as a filmmaker and producer. That mindset slowed me down and kept me waiting when I could have been building. Over time, I realized that credibility is created through action. By making the work, finishing projects, and standing behind them, I began to understand that permission is not something you receive, it is something you claim through consistency and follow through. Unlearning that belief changed how I approach risk, leadership, and long term vision in my work.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.djiniproductions.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/djiniproductions
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/djiniproductions
• Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/djiniproduction
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/djiniproductions
• Other: The Crewsaide website: www.thecrewsaide.com
  The Crewsaide Instagram: www.instagram.com/thecrewsaide
  The Crewsaide Facebook: www.facebook.com/thecrewsaide
  The Crewsaide TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@thecrewsaide