Today we’d like to introduce you to Lydia.
Lydia, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I am independent filmmaker, cinematographer, and entrepreneur with roots in Indonesia, grew through Singapore and expanded in the U.S.
I got hooked on films young. The kind that hit you in the gut and stay with you for years. And I want to make them. Stories that challenge. That shift something. That makes people seen.
Two decades later that spark burns brighter. My work is a blend of heart and purpose — telling stories of women rising, of healing found, of personal transformation. With every frame, I aim to reflect truth, beauty, and the power of change.
Art is my language. Film is my offering.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
With a background in design, I made the bold leap from a stable office job to pursue storytelling and filmmaking full-time. It was a risk—one fuelled by the deep need to create art that speaks from the soul. There have been times where survival came before passion, but I’ve never regretted the pivot. Every project, even in struggle, brings me closer to the purpose I believe in: creating work that empowers, uplifts, and truly matters.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Driven by a deep passion for storytelling, I strive to tell stories that matter—especially ones that empower women—has always been close to my heart. It’s what fuels my creativity and keeps me focused on projects that actually make a difference. Every project teaches me something new—not just about my craft, but about myself, the world, and what I care about. Stories last. Your work can continue to inspire and impact long after it’s released.
Evy’s Wish is my fifth short film project as director/producer.
I believes stories change the world and love collaboration behind the camera producing and directing.
Another of my film This Is Me (2019), filmed in Austin, Texas and where I wrote, directed, co-produced, photographed and edited the work.
This story was created for and dedicated to mental illness survivors and warriors. To date, the film has been screened in San Francisco Bay area, Los Angeles, Texas, with more than 20 accolades and has won nine awards, including a special Mental Health Community Award from the Los Angeles Silicon Beach Film Festival.
I also wrote, directed, co-produced, photographed and edited THE CALLING (2018), filmed in San Francisco Bay area. The film tells the story of transformation and healing, based on a true story of a writer, a pastor and a filmmaker, Tony Gapastione. This short film was made entirely with iPhone celebrating the creative movement of smartphone filmmaking. THE CALLING has been screened in San Francisco and New York. It has won five awards, including the Best Phone Made Film award from Olympus Film Festival Los Angeles.
Besides films, my storytelling passion also shown in music video works. I wrote the screenplay, directed, photographed and edited Guardian Angel MV (2021). And I also photographed and edited Summer Love MV (2019). While back in Singapore, I wrote the screenplay, directed and photographed the BFF MV (2017). The video portrays a fictional story about two best friends with inspiration about true friendship. To date, BFF music video has won three awards and screened at the Long Beach Indie International Film Festival and Fort Worth Indie Film Showcase.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Think connection, not networking. I’m not trying to collect contacts. I’m here to connect through stories, listen with curiosity, and find my people—those who inspires and resonate with my vision or journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lydiaisnanto.com/about
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lydiaisnanto
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lydiaisnantochannel
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/lydiaisnanto
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/dreampreneursfilm
- Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4282512/
Image Credits
1.) Christopher De La Rosa
2.) Zachary Salas
3.) Valentina Portraiture
4.) Gina Park
