We were lucky to catch up with Anna Rezan recently and have shared our conversation below.

Anna , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

I moved to New York City from
Athens as a teenager… Like people used to do in the 70s.. to pursue an international acting career…. to be a part of American cinema that I loved since I was a kid…While still appearing in Greek projects, I guess I moved to the U.S. to break into the international film and television market, a decision she made after being inspired by “The parent trap”…oh and “Coyote Ugly” a film which I watched at 14 years old.Showed me the steps… My first international feature film was La commedia di Amos Poe, which premiered at the 2010 Venice film festival.
I decided to take a risk and move to New York City … at the time I didn’t know anyone … I wasn’t enrolled in a school… I had no family or friends… but I had faith in NYC.
Looking back .. one of the best decisions I ever made on a personal and a professional level.

Anna , 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?

my involvement began at a young age,..fueled by a childhood passion for the arts. I wanted to entertain. I wanted to be a part of the great feeling I was getting when I was watching a film, a show.. a play… when I would listen to a song… My idol and eventually mentor… was Garry Marshall…
Inspired by American but also Greek films and musicals, I knew from about age six that i wanted to “dance, sing, and make people laugh”.
I started performing at age 11 in a school play and during family vacation at a Club Med. My professional career began in my early teens, appearing in Greek films and TV. One of my significant early roles was starring as a teenage rock singer in the 2010 film Show Bitch, which showed at the Thessaloniki International Film Festival. But really I started from scratch to build connections .. a showreel…. seminars … workshops… unpaid gigs… bartending …Today even via my social media … I try to spread joy by sharing inspirational stories quotes … affirmations etc .

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My creative journey is driven by a mission to focus on the positive aspects of life, inspire others, and use art to promote love, unity, and positive social change.
Key goals and missions that drive my work include:
I have explicitly stated that my creations aim to focus on solutions rather than problems, emphasizing the positive side of life.
Inspiring and encouraging people: A core motivation since my childhood has been to inspire and encourage others through my art, just as I have been inspired by other artists and works.
I feel it’s important to highlight human rights and historical awareness: In my directorial debut documentary My People, i aim to shed light on Greece’s role in protecting persecuted people during World War II, making these historical facts known globally and emphasizing the continued importance of human rights support today.
Advocating for unity and equality: I believe in the great power of unity and that collective action can lead to significant wins for society. My work often carries a call to fight for equality and justice.
Emphasizing love as a powerful force: A central motto in my life and work is that “love brings love” and “love is the greatest power of all”.
Ultimately, my goal is to achieve personal fulfillment and purpose by making a positive impact on the world through my lifestyle , meaningful art that promotes health, happiness, joy, and self-discovery.
Also : Mental wellness advocacy.
I have been open about my personal struggles with mental health, hoping my recovery journey inspires others to seek help and prioritize their well-being

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Supporting artists, creatives, and a thriving creative ecosystem requires a multifaceted approach involving government, private organizations, and individual citizens. This should include advocating for fair compensation, increasing access to funding and resources, and promoting the value of creative work within communities.

Encourage public art programs that commission local artists for projects in community spaces, increasing visibility and civic engagement with the arts.

It’s important that centralised resources and networks that make it easier for creatives to find out about available funding, exhibition opportunities, and support services to created.

Maintain robust arts education in schools at all levels to foster creativity from a young age and build future audiences.

Ultimately, a thriving creative ecosystem depends on recognizing that art is not a luxury but a fundamental part of human expression, community identity, and economic vitality.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anna_Rezan
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annarezanofficial
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annarezanhappy
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@annathehappykid

Image Credits

Kazphoto
George Tounas