Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Victoria Renee. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Victoria Renee, appreciate you joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I was 25 when I decided to seriously pursue writing and filmmaking. My path initially seemed set—I had earned a bachelor’s degree from Barry University and a master’s from Columbia University, both focused on clinical psychology with a forensic emphasis. Back then, I was working in Atlanta as a counselor at a juvenile residential psychiatric facility while also taking post-baccalaureate pre-medical courses and preparing for the MCAT. Yet, despite being on a trajectory toward medicine, I kept gravitating toward creative expression. I naturally wove storytelling into my therapeutic activities, using characters from books, movies, and TV shows to illustrate lessons and engage the youth. But it wasn’t until I created an activity called, “Conflict Resolution Theater” that I truly saw the transformative power of merging art and healing. Subsequently, I immersed myself in screenwriting classes, devoured scripts, and studied the journeys of filmmakers I admired. I soon realized that my current therapeutic creative efforts were limited to a single group at a time. However, if I were to write or film something, the impact could be unlimited. So, I committed to treating storytelling as seriously as any other profession. My efforts eventually led me to become a George Lucas Scholar and earn my MFA from USC’s School of Cinematic Arts. Yet, since the beginning of my creative journey, I have remained committed to blending art with advocacy, and I have embraced the title of “artivist.”

Even with that clarity, transitioning into the arts was the most daunting decision of my life. Everyone around me expected me to become “Dr. V.” Psychiatry or psychology had always seemed like my destined path, and pivoting to a creative field felt like a seismic shift—not just to others, but even to myself at times. However, returning home to Atlanta last year reminded me that this wasn’t a detour but a homecoming to my most authentic self. For example, while sorting through childhood belongings, I found an old school assignment where I had written that I wanted to be an actress, writer, and movie producer. Moreover, my mother has always told me that before I could even form coherent sentences, I was scribbling stories on her walls. My father would surely nod in agreement, as I recently unearthed a VHS tape of myself as a child, commandeering his camcorder and tripod to record what would now be considered an unsolicited self-tape audition. Even my brother could attest to my relentless storytelling, as I would entertain—or annoy—him on road trips by slipping into different accents and spinning elaborate tales. Reflecting on these childhood moments made me realize that I have always been a storyteller. So, my pivot wasn’t a deviation; it was me finally embracing my true purpose.

Victoria Renee, 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 am a multifaceted artist from College Park and Southwest Atlanta, GA. As a writer, producer, director, and creative director, I craft narratives that explore identity, belonging, and transformation. My work spans drama, dramedy, sci-fi, and horror—centering characters within the African diaspora, who must navigate ordinary to extraordinary experiences. My mission is to ensure underrepresented voices feel seen, heard, and empowered through storytelling.

My journey has been marked by a commitment to creative excellence and cultural impact. I am honored to be a recipient of a 2024 Individual Artist Grant from the City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs and a 2023 Invest Atlanta Creatives Grant. I had the privilege of serving as a director for the 2022 CBS Leadership Pipeline Challenge and winning the 2020 Viacom CBS / NAACP fellowship. While serving as the 2020-2021 Co-president of USC’s African American Cinema Society (AACS), my team and I worked diligently to establish a scholarship fund for Black students at the School of Cinematic Arts. My work has also advanced in prestigious programs, including the Sundance Feature Film Development Lab, Sundance Episodic Lab, Warner Brothers Writers Workshop, MACRO Episodic Lab, Screencraft’s Pilot Launch, the Black Boy Writes/Black Girl Writes Mentorship Initiative, and others. Additionally, my feature-length screenplay, Purity, received an impressive “eight” evaluation score on The Black List. Beyond my own projects, I have been fortunate to work for major production companies such as CBS, HBO, Netflix, Skydance Animation, and Ava DuVernay’s ARRAY. Furthermore, in 2022, I wrote, directed, and produced five HIV-prevention commercials and a jingle for a clinical nonprofit in the southeastern U.S., demonstrating my ability to merge creativity with impactful storytelling.

I am also the CEO, Founder, and Lead Creator of Victoria Renee Productions (VRP)—a full-service production company dedicated to influencing the cultural canon by combining art, technology, and advocacy. VRP produces work across literature, film & TV, music, social media, and the tech industry, serving nonprofit, government, corporate, and individual clients. Our mission is to bring bold, transformative stories to life while amplifying voices that deserve to be heard. If you’re looking for a company to turn your creative dreams into reality, we’d love to execute your vision.

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

As a Black woman creative with a background in advocacy, I know firsthand how gatekeeping has historically excluded underrepresented artists from funding, exposure, and institutional support. These barriers have stifled creativity, limited diverse narratives in our cultural landscape, and left money on the table regarding maximizing profits. To foster a thriving creative ecosystem, we must dismantle these systemic obstacles by prioritizing investment in independent artists of various backgrounds—offering accessible grants, residencies, mentorship, and employment programs that empower marginalized creators’ authentic voices without forcing them to conform to institutional norms.

Furthermore, when it comes to my home, I really want Georgia creatives to prosper. For example, Atlanta has become a major player in film production, but to truly stand alongside LA and NYC as a fellow film industry leader, it must do more than just host large studio shoots—it must invest in its local artists on a larger scale. Too often, homegrown talent is forced to leave for LA or NYC to find sustainable careers, leading to a brain drain that weakens Georgia’s creative economy. By funding independent filmmakers, building infrastructure for small studios, and fostering a culture that champions local voices, Atlanta and Georgia alike can solidify itself as a powerhouse for film—not just a rental space backdrop for Hollywood, but a place where artists can thrive and tell their own stories on their own terms.

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

One of my guiding mottos is “Resilience is Brilliance,” and right now, I am embodying that truth in every way. Last year, I made the difficult decision to leave my job in LA to support my father through his cancer treatment. At first, I was uncertain about stepping away from LA. I worked arduously to even make it and maintain myself there, but I knew my father and mother needed more support. Soon after, returning to Georgia, life threw even more challenges my way—my mother developed a chronic illness, and I faced serious health issues of my own. As a result, my creative projects took a backseat while I focused on my family and my well-being. But setbacks have never defined me— my resilience does.

My Dad has always been one of my biggest teachers and cheerleaders, so when I finally realized that filmmaking was my true calling, it felt like a cruel twist of fate that he began to lose his vision. He had always been the first to read my screenplays, and the thought of him never seeing my work again broke my heart. But he wouldn’t let that stop him. One day, he simply said, “Read it to me.” I hesitated, telling him, “Dad, it’s over 100 pages.” But he insisted. From then on, I wrote with a new purpose—“to write so well that even he could see it.” My father has always found a way, and because of him, I have learned to do the same. So, when he got sick, I knew I had to show up for him just as he always had for me.

Now, I am reclaiming my momentum by resiliently rising. This year, I am stepping back into my power with renewed determination. I am completing my short film, Catharsis, which is centered on Black women’s mental health. If you’d like to support, you can donate here: [https://www.gofundme.com/f/catharsis-film]. I’m also revising my manuscript for my debut novel, Purity. Moreover, I am crafting a children’s picture book and animated film that celebrates Atlanta’s landmarks and rich history, and I’m developing my first audio narrative. Despite the setbacks, I refuse to be defined by them. Like a true ATLien, I am rising—like a phoenix from the ashes—ready to turn adversity into artistry and step boldly into my next chapter. So, I invite you to stay tuned by visiting my website www.VictoriaRenee.net and following me on Instagram: @VictoriaReneeATL | www.instagram.com/VictoriaReneeATL or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-renee-bell-ab20b258/

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.VictoriaRenee.net/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/victoriareneeatl
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VictoriaReneeATL
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-renee-bell-ab20b258/

Image Credits

Dante Bailey, Neilson Blanton Jr.