Today we’d like to introduce you to Camila Flores.
Hi Camila, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
When I was 10 years old, my family and I moved to the United States from my hometown of Ciudad Acuña, Coahuila, Mexico, to Del Rio, Texas. Being introduced to a new culture and language was challenging, and my twin sister, Cathia Flores, and I struggled with the language barrier. During that time, we became one another’s closest friends and found comfort in the arts. We had been ballerinas in our hometown, so performing onstage and storytelling had always been a part of our lives.
My creative journey in filmmaking began in middle school with my twin sister. As little girls, we were inspired to explore our creativity, so we started our own YouTube channel. Our content consisted of fun challenges, vlogs, lifestyle videos, and conversations about our favorite fandoms. After giving YouTube a try for some time, we stepped back to take a break, but our passion for creating never faded.
When we entered our freshman year of high school, we were introduced to the Career and Technical Education (CTE) program, which encouraged students to explore career paths through specialized areas of study. This was where I discovered the Audio/Video Production program. During my freshman year, I began creating projects for class, collaborating with my sister and older brother, and learning the importance of teamwork. I started writing scripts, and by my sophomore year, I was submitting my work to film festivals.
Our teachers encouraged us to submit our projects to the Frontera Film Festival in Eagle Pass, Texas. There, I received an award for Best Short Film for my project Victim, which raised awareness about abusive relationships. Our school also hosted an end-of-year awards ceremony showcasing students’ film projects. I received recognition for Best Actress and Best Short Film. These experiences made it clear to me that filmmaking was something I wanted to pursue professionally.
During my junior year, I created a music video titled The Beach, which explored themes of self-love, body image, and overcoming personal struggles. The project received awards for Best Music Video at both the Frontera Film Festival and my high school’s awards ceremony. I also had the incredible opportunity to attend the Austin Film Festival with a group from my school in 2019. That experience made me fall in love with Austin and its film community, and I knew it was where I wanted to be to continue creating.
After graduating from high school in 2020, I took a gap year to focus on acting and explore the next steps in my creative career. During that time, I participated in an online program called Shine, which connected me with mentors working in the entertainment industry, including casting directors, acting teachers, professional actors, modeling agents, and other industry professionals. These mentors helped shape my understanding of the industry and encouraged me to continue developing my craft.
I also participated in the Christian Performer Readiness program, which focused on maintaining my faith and staying grounded in my values while pursuing a career in the entertainment industry. In addition, I completed their STAR program, which helped me prepare audition materials for talent agencies and participate in master classes with industry professionals. By the end of the program, I had received 10 callbacks from agents who offered advice and encouraged me to consider signing with them in the future. I even received a scholarship to the New York Film Academy. However, I was still young and considering my options, including attending Texas State University to pursue acting and filmmaking. After careful consideration, I decided that enrolling in college and building my career step by step was the best decision for me at the time.
During my time at Texas State University, I participated in numerous student films and collaborated with various directors. These experiences gave me valuable insight into working with a crew and understanding the filmmaking process, from screenwriting and producing to directing. They also allowed me to build upon the foundation I had developed in high school. I was fortunate enough to be part of a web series called Pretty Fake, directed by Emery Jones, which gained a notable audience on YouTube.
Alongside my work in film, I served as the Social Media Coordinator for the LBJ Student Center at Texas State University. In this role, I gained hands-on experience in social media management, content creation, and digital marketing. Throughout college, I made an effort to gain experience in different areas of filmmaking and develop a well-rounded understanding of the creative process. However, performance has always remained my greatest passion. In 2025, I graduated summa cum laude from Texas State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, concentrating in acting and film, becoming the first in my family to graduate from college in the United States.
This year, I moved to Austin, Texas, the city I had once dreamed of calling home. Although it has been a year of transition and adjustment, I was fortunate to find a creative community shortly after arriving. A friend recommended that I look into the Austin Film Society, so I applied to its Creative Careers internship program. Knowing how competitive the opportunity was, I decided to take a chance. In March, I learned that I had been accepted which was both exciting and reassuring.
I spent six months with the Austin Film Society. The first half of my internship focused on training in studio operations and equipment, followed by a two-month marketing internship. One of the highlights of my experience was helping with the 10-year reunion celebration of Boyhood. I had the incredible opportunity to participate in red-carpet interviews with the film’s stars, Ethan Hawke and Patricia Arquette, as well as its director, Richard Linklater.
I also created a variety of content for the Austin Film Society’s Instagram account and contributed to its newsletter. Beyond the technical skills I gained, I had an amazing experience learning from my mentors and collaborating with my cohort. I completed my internship in September, and the team continues to support each of us through career counseling sessions focused on our next steps. Having guidance to help us develop a roadmap based on our individual goals has been incredibly valuable.
I am eternally grateful for this experience because it reminded me how meaningful it is to be part of a team that believes in your craft and genuinely wants to help you launch your career. At a time when I needed reassurance, this opportunity reminded me that I was on the right path and encouraged me to keep pursuing my dreams.
This year, I have also continued refining my content creation skills and growing my own platforms on Instagram and YouTube. My content focuses on filmmaking, fashion, lifestyle vlogs, and fun, creative videos that allow me to connect with audiences and express different sides of my personality. I enjoy exploring new ways to tell stories through digital media while continuing to develop my skills both behind and in front of the camera. Content creation has become another meaningful outlet for my creativity and an opportunity to build my presence as an artist.
Looking ahead to November and the remainder of the year, I have a few exciting projects coming up! One of them is the upcoming film, You Are Not Her directed by Tony Mazzone, a thriller-horror film that I will be performing in and shooting very soon. As an actor, I am eager to explore different genres, challenge myself creatively, and continue expanding my range. One of the things I love most about acting is the opportunity to step into someone else’s life, bring their voice and experiences to life, and embrace the joy of play and discovery. I am especially passionate about bringing women’s stories to the screen, and I intend to continue pursuing that mission throughout my career.
I am also looking forward to volunteering at the Austin Film Festival for the second time. Although it is a volunteer opportunity, I find it deeply rewarding to work alongside people who share a passion for filmmaking and believe in supporting one another. Every experience continues to remind me why I fell in love with this industry in the first place! The opportunity to tell stories, collaborate with others, and keep growing as an artist.
I am actively seeking opportunities to connect with Austin’s film community, collaborate with fellow creatives, and continue growing as an artist. I also hope to sign with a talent agency soon so I can pursue acting more consistently and professionally.
As I continue building my career, I hope to keep expanding my experience in acting, filmmaking, and content creation while remaining open to new opportunities that challenge me creatively. I am excited to see where this journey takes me and am committed to continuing to learn, collaborate, and tell stories that resonate with others.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Pursuing filmmaking has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. I am deeply passionate about bringing stories to life, especially those inspired by the things I love and my own personal experiences. Every project allows me to share a part of myself while exploring what I can offer as a storyteller. I understand that the film industry can be unpredictable and that building a sustainable career is not always easy, but that has never discouraged me from moving forward. To me, living your dream does not necessarily mean working with a major studio, collaborating with a well-known director, or winning countless awards. It means having the opportunity to do what you love consistently and continuing to do it for as long as you can.
Some people may see a career in the arts as unrealistic, but I believe art is an essential part of our everyday lives. Think about the commercials we watch, the songs we hear on the radio, and the TikToks and YouTube videos we enjoy. All of these are creative works brought to life by people who have a passion for storytelling. Art may sometimes go unappreciated, but that does not make it any less meaningful or necessary.
Moving to Austin this year has marked the beginning of a new chapter in my life. Although it has been exciting, it has also challenged me in ways I never expected. Navigating a new city on my own while finding my creative voice and staying grounded in my values, faith, and passion for filmmaking has not always been easy, especially in an industry where comparison can be overwhelming. Through these experiences, I have learned to view rejection differently. I believe that every “no” can be a form of protection, redirection, and preparation for an opportunity that is better suited for me.
Above all, I trust that God has given me the gift of storytelling for a reason. I intend to continue nurturing that gift, growing through every experience, and remaining faithful to the path I am building. I know I still have so much to learn, but I believe in the stories I have yet to tell and the opportunities that lie ahead. My journey is still unfolding, and I have faith that the right doors will open in the right time.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My greatest passion has always been acting. Growing up surrounded by the arts and having a family of artists encouraged me to embrace my creativity and imagination. When I was a little girl, my twin sister and I would spend hours playing games and imagining different scenarios, always curious about the lives other people might lead. That curiosity eventually became one of the things I loved most about acting which is the opportunity to explore different perspectives and bring someone else’s story to life.
Watching La La Land for the first time was a defining moment for me. Mia’s journey inspired me because, despite the challenges and uncertainty that came with pursuing her dream, she continued to believe in herself and her passion. I remember feeling that I wanted to pursue acting with that same determination. I was moved by the way performances allow audiences to connect with a character, understand their struggles, and celebrate their growth. To me, acting is more than pretending to be someone else. It is about stepping into another person’s world and inviting others to experience their journey.
I consider my sensitivity and empathy to be some of my greatest strengths as an actress. I believe these qualities help me understand my characters more deeply, recognize their vulnerabilities, and find points of connection between their experiences and my own. Throughout high school and college, I was primarily known for my acting, but toward the end of my university experience, I also explored other areas of filmmaking, including costume design, hair and makeup, screenwriting, and directing. Although I genuinely enjoy working behind the scenes, I have realized how important it is for me to continue refining my performance skills. Acting is a craft that requires lifelong learning, technical training, and a willingness to grow through both personal experiences and dedicated practice.
One of the things I am most proud of is being able to pursue my dreams as both an actress and a filmmaker. I know the world is full of talented artists, and while the industry can be competitive, I believe it is important for us to support and encourage one another. Creativity should not be limited by comparison; there is room for all of us to contribute something meaningful through our work.
I am incredibly grateful to God for how far I have come and for the people who have supported me along the way, especially my family, my twin sister, and my loving boyfriend, who have been my rocks and biggest supporters. During my time in the STAR program through Shine, one of my mentors gave me the nickname “Little Star.” He saw potential in me, and that encouragement meant so much, particularly because he was one of the people who helped discover Jennifer Lopez early in her career in New York City. His belief in me became a meaningful reminder to keep pursuing what I love.
Every opportunity to perform, collaborate on a project, or learn from another artist reminds me how blessed I am to be on this path. It is difficult to capture that feeling in a single moment, but when I look back at how far I have come, I feel immense gratitude and pride. I am proud not because I have accomplished everything I hope to achieve, but because I have continued to pursue my dreams, remain grounded in my values, and grow into the artist I want to become.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
I believe acting is an art form that has existed for generations, and even when we do not consider ourselves performers, we all express parts of ourselves through the roles we take on in our work, our passions, and even the imaginative games we played as children. One of the things I love about the entertainment industry is its ability to evolve, embrace new perspectives, and challenge traditional approaches to storytelling. To me, acting does not simply evolve with time. I continues to discover new ways to express the truth of the human experience.
Although there are understandable concerns about the rapid advancement of A.I., I believe there is something uniquely powerful about genuine human emotion that technology cannot fully replicate. There is a profound connection that happens when an audience witnesses an authentic performance, recognizes a piece of themselves in a character, and feels moved by that person’s journey. I hope the industry continues to protect and celebrate that human connection.
I also hope to see the industry continue embracing new faces, cultures, and ethnicities while challenging stereotypes and expanding opportunities for underrepresented voices. To me, inclusivity is most meaningful when it comes from a place of authenticity rather than obligation. I want to see stories that reflect the richness of our world naturally and honestly, allowing people from different backgrounds to be represented as fully realized human beings. As I continue growing in my career, I hope to advocate for these values through the stories I tell, the characters I portray, and the creative spaces I contribute to.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/camtheflores?exln=MXN1emd0bWdpNDMzeg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/camila-flores-ayala-224147390?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_ios
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@camtheflores?si=08zZOgPiTI2nfWWu
