We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Julia Borkowski a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Julia, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about the things you feel your parents did right and how those things have impacted your career and life.

My parents have supported me and my goals from the very beginning. When I dreamed of becoming a veterinarian at just two years old, they made sure I was getting the experience I needed in agriculture. By the age of 13, with their help, I landed my first job at a local vet clinic, assisting in the care of both large and small animals.

At the same time, I had a strong passion for the arts, I was a theater kid through and through. My parents encouraged me to pursue that side as well, driving me to rehearsals, supporting my performances, and letting me participate in background roles for locally filmed movies. By age 16, they were encouraging me to get even more involved, and I began helping produce runway shows and events, even assisting in casting.

Though people often said I had a future in the entertainment industry, I still saw it as just a hobby. I was an Ag kid. When it came time for college, I was on the veterinary path, but my parents gently pointed out that my real strength and passion seemed to lie in the arts. They made it clear they’d support me no matter what direction I chose.

That support led me to start offering local film and theater classes in Berryville, AR. The turnout was incredible. I opened a space, began booking talent for films and commercials, and eventually launched a talent agency. Within a year and a half, it grew into a casting agency serving Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Tennessee. Now I help find talent, have resources for affordable filming locations in Berryville for filmmakers, and have launched the Berryville Film Festival.

Through it all, my parents were there, helping me find a space, getting me what I needed, and believing in my vision. Today, I run a casting agency that helps productions of all sizes, because I believe in lifting up even the smallest projects. That mindset, to always show up and give back, is something my parents instilled in me.

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

I’m the owner of JB Talent Konnections and the Berryville Film Festival. JB Talent Konnections is a casting agency based in Berryville, AR, serving productions across Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Tennessee. I cast for projects of all sizes, from major productions to student and passion films. I also assist filmmakers in finding local shooting locations through my strong partnership with the City of Berryville.

The Berryville Film Festival, which I launched in September 2024 is a yearly film fest for filmmakers all over the U.S.. Despite being in a small town of just 5,000 people, our first festival welcomed over 200 attendees from across AR, TX, OK, MO, and TN.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

As I began to grow in the film industry, I initially launched a talent agency. About a year and a half in, I found myself also being asked to help cast films, essentially operating as both a talent and casting agency. While that combination may work in some regions, it’s generally discouraged in larger markets, where roles are more defined. I realized I wanted to give 100% to one area, and with Arkansas already having a few talent agencies, I chose to focus exclusively on casting.

Shifting to a dedicated casting agency was a major career decision. I had the privilege of representing a wide range of talented actors across four states and valued those relationships deeply. But I took a step back to evaluate where I could be most effective in this industry, and casting is where I felt I could make the biggest impact. By narrowing my focus, I’ve been able to fully commit to connecting productions with the right talent and helping projects of all sizes succeed.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

My answer might sound a bit generic, but it’s truly about seeing the project come together and knowing I played a key role in bringing it to life. What I do is incredibly rewarding; I get to find the actors who help shape the entire film. It’s such a cool feeling to watch the final product and know that my agency had a hand in making it what it is. There’s something really special about being part of the foundation that makes the story come alive on screen.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://jbtalent.wixsite.com/jb-talent-konnection
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julia_borkowski_/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090699739808
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-borkowski-24ba45234