We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Fernanda Neu a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Fernanda, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
My latest film, The Mixtape for the End of the World, holds a special place in my heart. It’s a project deeply inspired by my little cousin, who has been one of my greatest supporters throughout my filmmaking journey. He has autism, and I wanted to create a film that he could see himself in—a story where someone like him takes the main character role.
While the film isn’t about autism per se, the main character is autistic and is the hero of the story. I wanted to create a character who not only shares this aspect of my little cousin, but also embodies his imagination, boldness, humor, and unapologetic authenticity.
What truly made this project special was the collaborative process behind it. My director of photography, production designer, first assistant director, and producer—all believed in this project as passionately as I did. Their dedication and shared belief in the story helped to infuse the film with a unique energy, and I think that’s the reason why it resonated with so many people.
The Mixtape for the End of the World is currently on festival run, but you can learn a bit about it here:
Set in the late ’80s, ambitious 15-year-old Milo uncovers an imminent asteroid threat and enlists his best friend Olivia for a chaotic journey to warn NASA. As they race against time, fantasy blurs with reality, and they must decide if their friendship is worth more than their mission to save the world.
Fernanda, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I’m Fernanda Neu, but you can call me Feh. I’m a Brazilian-born writer, director, and producer currently based in Los Angeles. I’ve got a little experience in everything, talent agencies, production companies, Public Relations. I feel like a group-based work environment is where I thrive. On set, I’ve worn many hats —1st AD, producer, art department—but my true passion lies in TV writing.
I like telling stories with a whimsical tone. Growing up, I was an avid reader, especially of coming-of-age and young adult literature. Those stories have significantly influenced my writing style and the themes I explore. I love infusing a sense of fun and escapism into my work. The world can be a heavy place sometimes, and I see filmmaking as a universe where the sky is the limit and I can create my own rules.
I also have an unusual love for crafting pitch decks. There’s a unique joy in the development phase—when ideas are still on paper and creativity isn’t yet constrained by budgets. I’ve created pitch decks for various writers and directors, and I genuinely enjoy helping others bring their visions to life. You can check out some of my work on my website regarding that.
I believe in being bold and authentic in storytelling. The more heart you pour into a project, the more it resonates with others.
Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
It’s not exactly a resource, but it’s more like general advice. Seek mentorship and ask questions. People are nicer than it seems. Having a mentor changed my life. I was lucky enough to go to film school and be surrounded by people who were there to give me guidance, but there are plenty of resources, especially in Los Angeles. The film industry is full of people with big egos who think they know everything when, in reality, there is so much to learn from others and their experiences. Listen, learn and grow <3 Also, listen to music. I create playlists for everything, every character I write.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
There is this one quote that I have no clue where I got from, but it stuck with me which is “Everyone talks about how hard it is to be an artist, but no one talks enough about how hard it is for an artist not to be one,” and I this sums up very well my existence in this planet.
I think in today’s world is such a privilege to be a full-time artist, and even not full-time, having a space and a community to share you art with people is extremely special, and I feel incredibly lucky to have this support from my peers. Of course, being recognized for your art is an amazing feeling, but I think the most rewarding part of being an artist is making art. It’s where I feel the most authentic version of myself.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.fernandaneu.com
- Instagram: @f.e.h https://www.instagram.com/f.e.h/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fernanda-moraes-8a2b111b3/
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/user/fehneu?si=1997ba8b465e42a5
Image Credits
Valentina Berti
Milan DiLeo
Jolarson Tati