We recently connected with Francesca R. Barjon and have shared our conversation below.

Francesca, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s the best or worst investment you’ve made (either in terms of time or money)? (Note, these responses are only intended as entertainment and shouldn’t be construed as investment advice)

The best investment I’ve ever made in myself, both in time and money, was saying yes to becoming a filmmaker. Writing, executive producing, and ultimately directing a short film I co-wrote with my friend, Brittany Maupin was one of the hardest and most rewarding decisions I have ever made. After spending years trying to be a TV writer, working as an NBC Page, then as a writer’s PA on various Netflix shows, I hit a wall. I was surrounded by amazing stories, but I wasn’t telling mine.

A TV writer once told me, “People might not read a 60-page script, but they’ll watch a 15-minute short.” I’d heard it before, but this time it felt like a call to action. Brittany and I poured ourselves into The White Flag, finishing a draft in just two weeks. We revised the script, raised money, and decided to make the film ourselves. I stepped into the role of director and Brittany served as lead actor and we both executive produced the project together.
We leaned on our professional backgrounds—her in management consulting and mine in accounting and project management—to produce something we were extremely proud of. And while our skills gave us a foundation, we quickly learned how demanding and unpredictable filmmaking is. Producing was a crash course in flexibility, resilience, and problem-solving. Every part of the process from lighting, editing, sound, color, to hair and makeup mattered. We couldn’t afford to cut corners, and our final product reflects that care.

The most rewarding moment was locking the film and seeing our words come alive through Brittany’s performance and the collective magic of our cast and crew. The White Flag taught me what it truly means to lead, to collaborate, and to trust in the power of our own voices. Since completing it, I’ve gone on to direct three more projects and discovered how much I love working with actors and shaping performances.

The film is currently being submitted to festivals and recently won Best Short Film at IFB Studios’ 4th Annual Film Festival, a deeply validating moment. I’m incredibly proud of what we created and excited to see where the film goes next.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m a Haitian-American writer-director from New York, shaped by a childhood steeped in books and television—and a family that believed success only came in the form of medicine, law, or engineering. For a while, I tried to follow that path. I enrolled at NYU’s Stern School of Business with the intention of becoming a lawyer, determined to make my family proud. But somewhere between accounting lectures, I realized what I truly wanted: to tell stories that mattered.
Still, the fear of instability held me back. I finished my degree and worked as a tax accountant, but the call to create never left. Eventually, I made the leap and left my job to pursue writing full-time. I started writing TV pilots and features and eventually moved to Los Angeles to chase my passion.

Since then, I’ve worn many hats: NBCUniversal Page, writer’s PA on Netflix’s Virgin River, SOHO House Fellow, and writer-director. Each role has taught me something vital about the industry, but directing is where I feel most at home. There’s nothing more rewarding than bringing a story to life and seeing it resonate with others. My work is deeply personal, grounded in authenticity, and fueled by a desire to connect. Whether it’s through an awkward conversation, a moment of silence, or a truth someone’s been waiting to share.

As a director, I bring a sharp narrative instinct and a collaborative spirit. I draw on my business background to communicate clearly, manage conflict gracefully, and ensure that every person on set feels heard and valued. I believe the best work happens when everyone is seen and supported.

My films explore the intersections of identity, mental health, family, and love. I tell complex, emotionally rich stories that challenge societal norms while embracing the humor and heart of everyday life. At the core of everything I make is a simple mission: to tell stories that challenge, heal, and make people feel seen.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

When I began developing The White Flag, I planned to co-direct it with a more experienced filmmaker. Coming from a background in business and TV writing, I thought partnering with a seasoned director would help bring the project to life and make it better. But just one month before our shoot, she let me know she was no longer available to co-direct. At that point, we hadn’t secured a cinematographer or most of our crew, but the cast was locked, the locations were booked, and the dates were set.

I had two difficult options to choose between: cancel the shoot dates and regroup or quickly figure it out.

Choosing the latter required more resilience than I thought I had. I stepped into the director’s chair fully, leaned on my instincts, and made a lot of phone calls to learn everything I could in a very short time period. Friends showed up for me in ways I’ll never forget and because of their support I was able to pull off an amazing directorial debut.

One of the most beautiful lessons I learned through this experience was how many people are eager to make meaningful work, and how powerful it is to create something as a collective. I’ve always believed that filmmaking is a collaborative art form, and that a great director isn’t someone who has all the answers, but someone who brings out the best in others. I love working with people who are passionately brilliant and I’m committed to helping elevate the voices of those around me. The White Flag taught me that when we support each other, we can build something bigger than ourselves.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

I recently directed another short film called Earth to Melanie, where I had the unique challenge and joy of bringing multiple characters to life through the performance of a single actor. That experience reinforced what I love most about being a writer-director: creating worlds that spotlight people’s talents, elevate their stories, and champion their dreams while also pursuing my own. For me, the most rewarding part of being a creative is the ability to turn an idea into something real. Something that didn’t exist before, and watching it shift how people see themselves. I’ve pitched characters to actors and seen their faces light up, suddenly imagining themselves in roles they never thought possible. That moment of recognition, of belonging, is one I hope to continue to experience throughout my career.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thewhiteflagfilm.com/
• Instagram: @frbwrites
• Other: https://www.frbwrites.com/

Image Credits

Kyle A. Meeks – Director Headshot
Chance Allen, Jordan Fuller, Sidney Droese – Stills from The White Flag