We recently connected with Flora Banhegyi and have shared our conversation below.

Flora, looking forward to hearing all of your stories 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 recently was a short film called French Fries, written and directed by the talented Amit Shilo and produced by Sebastian Fabres. I had the honor of playing the lead role, Alex, and from the first audition to the final day on set, this project has been such a rewarding experience.

French Fries tells the story of a socially anxious young woman navigating loneliness, identity, and the quiet yearning for connection in a world that can feel overwhelming. From the moment I read the script, I felt a deep personal connection to her. There was something so raw and relatable in her inner world. Portraying her allowed me to tap into personal parts of myself.

Working with Amit was so great. He created a space where collaboration truly meant something. He welcomed my insights, asked about my own experiences with anxiety, and used that to deepen the character. I also had the chance to work with such incredible co-stars like Diletta Guglielmi and Mauricio Corona Serrano. We really were a team on set, supporting each other through every scene, every take. I’m so happy I got to know them!

We filmed in New York City with a passionate crew. Every single person brought their mastery and full heart to the process, and it reminded me why I love what I do. Not only did I walk away feeling proud of the work, but I also walked away with friendships and a renewed sense of direction as an artist.

What made French Fries so special is that it told a story I believe many people today can relate to. So many of us, especially in this generation, live with social anxiety, and that longing to be seen and understood. To be loved. Getting to embody that, to give it voice and shape, felt healing and important.

It also raised the bar for me. This is the kind of work I want to keep doing: vulnerable, truthful, and collaborative stories that matter.

Flora, 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?

Hi lovely people! I’m Flora Banhegyi, originally from Hungary and now based in New York. I began my journey in the world of professional sports as a competitive jump roper for 16 years, ultimately becoming a World Champion and touring internationally as one of the lead performers with Cirque Dreams, now part of the Cirque du Soleil family.

As an athlete, I lived in a world where perfection was everything. Success meant pushing harder, performing flawlessly, and constantly proving myself. But deep down, I longed to be messy and free. I think that’s why I fell in love with acting. It was the first space where I wasn’t expected to be perfect. I was expected to be truthful. To feel deeply. To fail, to explore, and to simply be human. Acting gave me permission to let go of the pressure, to get out of my head, and create from a place of honesty and presence. That shift changed everything.

I went on to train at the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts, and I haven’t stopped creating since. I’ve acted in numerous short films, including Behind the Curtains, Folly of Fish, and Vicious Cycle, which was an official selection at Indie Shorts Fest in Los Angeles. One of the projects, Tri Sestry, earned 9 awards and 2 nominations at the New York International Film Awards, including a Best Actress award for my performance. These roles have allowed me to continue deepening my craft on screen. Currently, I’m co-producing a new short film that explores themes of grief, and it is a story very close to my heart.

Beyond the screen, I co-founded Self Dive, a creative wellness space, a podcast and a membership that helps women reconnect with their inner world and strength.

In my free time, I love romanticizing life, being in nature, dancing, listening to birdsong, drinking iced oat lattes, and writing in my journal for hours.

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

I think one of the biggest forces driving me is the desire to make a meaningful, positive impact — emotionally, socially, and spiritually. I believe storytelling has the power to cultivate self-awareness in a way nothing else can. I want to be able to create work that helps people be kinder to themselves and to others. To feel less alone in what they are going through. I know from experience how healing art can be, and I want to be someone who uses that art to leave the world better than I found it. I know that might sound a bit cheesy, but it’s true.

And coming from Hungary, a small country where opportunities in this industry are significantly more limited, I also want to be an example. I want to show that it doesn’t matter where you were born or what limitations you started with. You can carve your own path. You can build something that matters. And you can dream beyond your borders.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

One of the books that had a huge impact on my artistic journey is The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. As an actor and artist, it helped me reconnect with my inner voice and trust the flow of inspiration. It reminded me that creativity isn’t something we force, but something we listen to and nurture. I often return to the tools from this book when I’m preparing for a new character or working on a new project. I always recommend it to everyone I meet.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://florabanhegyi.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/florabanhegyi/
• Other: IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm16539375/

Image Credits

@ninab.b , @alohayuto , @gallerybygeve