Sophia Costanzo is a writer/director who comes from a Cuban-Italian-American family, a fusion that not only provides the best food combinations but also has a rich oral storytelling tradition. Inspired by the ways in which her family shared their stories from one generation to the next, she tells heartfelt, multigenerational family stories that blend humor with authenticity to resonate deeply with audiences. 

 

Sophia’s desire to create more representation for Latinas both in front of and behind the camera is clear throughout her work. Her short film Good Cuban Girls, which premiered at the Oscar-qualifying LA Shorts International Film Festival, was inspired by her family and sheds light on the complexities of cultural identity. Sophia also aims to amplify the voices of women in sports. A former baseball player, basketball player, and boxer, she has experienced the challenges of being a female athlete firsthand and crafts stories that not only promote equal representation but also celebrate female athletes’ accomplishments.

 

Sophia received her BA in Film, Television, and Theatre from the University of Notre Dame and her MFA in Film and TV Production with a concentration in directing from Loyola Marymount University. She is a Class of 2024 Alliance of Women Directors Mentor Latina Directors Fellow. Outside of the film world, Sophia is, of course, an excellent home cook who shows her love through dinner parties and comforting dishes—just like her Italian dad and Cuban grandma.