We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ana Karina Cano a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Ana Karina thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with 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 I’ve worked on is the short film Dreamers, directed by Frank Zanella. This project is incredibly special to me because it addresses the struggles and aspirations of immigrants, a topic that resonates deeply in today’s world. Dreamers tells the story of individuals who come to the U.S. in search of a better life, exploring the challenges they face as they navigate their identities, their hopes, and the obstacles in their path.
What makes this film even more significant is the impact it has had. Dreamers toured 11 film festivals so far, both in Los Angeles and internationally, and won multiple awards, including Best Shorts Competition 2023 and the Awareness Festival. The film was also an official selection at the New York Los Angeles International Film Festival (NYLA), which brought wider recognition to the story we wanted to tell.
Working on this project was incredibly rewarding because it combined my passion for storytelling with the opportunity to give a voice to those who are often unheard. Seeing how Dreamers resonated with audiences across different cultures and countries has been one of the most fulfilling experiences so far.
Ana Karina, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I’ve always been driven by the idea that art has the power to change the world, and that’s at the core of everything I do. I’m Ana Karina Cano, an actress and producer with a mission to use my craft as a way to promote inclusivity and empathy.
My journey began with a fascination for the stage during my early dance performances, but it quickly evolved into a love for acting and storytelling. Over the years, I’ve trained extensively in different parts of the world, including the Vancouver Film School in Canada, The Acting Studio in New York, and Les Ateliers de Théâtre in France. My multicultural experiences have shaped me as an artist and fueled my desire to tell stories that bridge cultural and linguistic divides.
Throughout my career, I’ve had the opportunity to work on a variety of projects that range from classical theater to modern short films. In theater, I’ve portrayed iconic roles like Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, Mollie in The Mousetrap, and Dorothy in Murdered to Death, which allowed me to explore both dramatic and comedic genres. In film, I’ve worked on award-winning short films such as Dreamers and The Sound of Silence, the latter earning me the Best Actress award at the Cineloom Film Festival. I’ve also starred in other projects like Clogged, Out of Range, and Recipe for Luck, each offering unique challenges and opportunities to grow as an actress.
In addition to my work in film and theater, I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with some major brands in commercial projects. One particularly exciting moment was appearing in a Volkswagen commercial that aired during the Super Bowl, reaching millions of viewers. I’ve also had the chance to work on commercials for Google and Toyota, which have allowed me to expand my experience in the industry and showcase my versatility as a performer. These high-profile projects have been exciting milestones in my journey, and they’ve opened doors to new opportunities while helping me connect with a global audience.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the ability to spark change and provoke thought in others while also embracing the collaborative nature of the work. As both an actress and a producer, I step into different characters’ lives and tell their stories, which allows me to entertain and illuminate significant issues, emotions, and experiences that might otherwise go unnoticed.
There’s a special magic that happens when everyone’s creativity comes together to tell a single story. Collaborating with talented directors, writers, and actors infuses each project with a unique energy that makes the experience deeply fulfilling. The synergy of shared vision inspires me daily, and knowing that a story I helped shape can resonate with someone on a personal level—helping them view the world or themselves in a new light—makes the journey truly meaningful.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
Absolutely. My mission is to make art more inclusive, especially in terms of culture and language. Growing up in different countries, I experienced both the beauty and challenges of navigating cultural and linguistic differences. I’ve always believed that art has the power to bridge those gaps, and this belief has shaped much of my creative work.
A key aspect of my journey as an artist is my commitment to creating art that goes beyond mere entertainment. My focus is on fostering a deeper understanding of inclusion and cultural diversity. Through MultilinguArt, the production company I co-founded with Taylor Bazos, we focus on projects that bridge cultural and linguistic divides. One of our standout works is Baby Rock, a bilingual children’s musical designed not only to entertain but to teach young audiences the value of embracing and celebrating differences in language and culture.
At MultilinguArt, our mission is to use art as a powerful tool for connection, empathy, and social change. By producing content that challenges traditional boundaries and encourages audiences to think differently, I aim to shine a light on the beauty of diversity and inspire meaningful conversations about what unites us as a global community.
Ultimately, I want my work to reflect the belief that no matter where people come from or what language they speak, we can all find common ground through the arts. My hope is to create a more empathetic and united world—one story at a time.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://multilinguart.wixsite.com/multilinguart
- Instagram: @anakarinacano
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/AnaKarinaCano
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Multilinguart
- Other: http://imdb.me/anakarinacano
