Today we’d like to introduce you to Monique Efta.
Hi Monique, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
If you had told me 15 years ago that I’d be a lesbian filmmaker making queer psychological horror films, I probably would have thought you were out of your mind. But here we are!
I grew up in the Midwest, deeply immersed in the church, and eventually went into ministry myself. For a long time, my entire world revolved around faith and what I believed my life was supposed to look like. Coming to terms with my sexuality meant questioning just about everything I’d ever been taught, and ultimately, rebuilding my life from the ground up.
One of the things I struggled with during that time was not seeing myself reflected in the stories being told. I wanted to see characters and experiences I could identify with. Stories that understood the complicated intersection of faith, sexuality, identity, and what it means to lose the world you once belonged to. And when I couldn’t find enough of those stories, I started thinking, maybe I needed to tell them myself.
The only problem? I knew absolutely nothing about filmmaking.
This October marks my ten-year anniversary of moving to California, and it’s been quite the education. I didn’t come here with industry connections, a film degree, or even a clear understanding of how the business worked. I knew nobody. I had no idea where to start. I just knew I wanted to be part of telling stories that mattered to me.
So I started learning. I took whatever opportunities I could find, asked questions, made mistakes, and slowly began figuring out how this whole industry works. I started working in production in 2017, and over the years I’ve worked as a production assistant, unit production manager, producer, and eventually director. It’s been ten years of learning, growing, building relationships, and occasionally wondering what the hell I got myself into.
But somewhere along the way, I realized that my unconventional path wasn’t necessarily a disadvantage. My experiences, especially the ones I’d spent years trying to make sense of, were actually part of what I brought to the table as a storyteller.
Today, I’m a director and producer and co-founder of Hippie and a Nun Productions alongside my creative partner, Lea Roman. We’re interested in telling stories that challenge perspectives, push boundaries, and explore the messy, uncomfortable, and sometimes darkly funny parts of being human. I’ve found myself especially drawn to horror and thrillers because they allow us to explore very real human experiences through a completely different lens.
One of my current projects, *Born Again*, is a queer psychological horror short about a closeted Christian woman who runs back to church to be saved from her queerness, only to discover that the church is the thing she needs saving from. As a former minister and a lesbian, this story hits pretty close to home. It’s also the kind of film I wish had existed when I was struggling to understand myself.
Beyond filmmaking, I’ve discovered that one of the things I love most is connecting people. Lea and I recently launched Creative Exchange (C/X), a space where filmmakers, musicians, writers, artists, and other creatives can come together, collaborate, and hopefully create something unexpected. I know firsthand how intimidating it can be to enter a creative industry when you don’t know anyone, and I want to help make that journey a little easier for others.
Looking back over these ten years, it’s pretty wild to see how far I’ve come, especially considering I started with absolutely no idea what I was doing. And I still have so much I want to learn and accomplish.
I spent a good portion of my life trying to fit into a story someone else had written for me. Now I get to write my own. And hopefully, create a few stories that help someone else feel a little less alone along the way.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Smooth? Ha! Not even close.
I think one of my biggest obstacles has actually been myself. I spent years learning the film industry, working on sets, building relationships, and gaining experience, but I kept feeling like I didn’t know enough to really step into directing. There was always something else I thought I needed to learn, another skill I needed to master, or some imaginary point where I’d finally feel ready.
I think when you enter an industry knowing absolutely nothing and nobody, it’s easy to convince yourself that everyone else knows something you don’t. And honestly, sometimes they do! But at some point, you have to stop waiting for permission to do the thing you came here to do.
A huge turning point for me came when my friend Traycee King approached me with her script, *Project N Terro*, and asked me to direct it. At that point, I’d directed and shot some music videos, but I’d never directed a narrative short film. I wasn’t convinced I was ready. Traycee, on the other hand, was absolutely convinced I was the right person for the job.
She kept telling me what a great director I was, and I remember thinking, “How does she know that? I haven’t even done this yet!” But she believed in me so strongly that eventually I started believing in myself, too.
That experience genuinely changed my life. Not just because I got to direct my first narrative short, but because someone saw something in me that I was still struggling to see in myself.
I think that’s a huge part of why creating community and opportunities for other people has become so important to me. Sometimes all it takes is one person saying, “I see what you’re capable of, and I’m willing to take a chance on you.” I know firsthand how powerful that can be, and I want to be that person for someone else.
Of course, there’s also the very real challenge of money. Independent filmmaking is expensive, and finding funding is an ongoing battle. We have so many stories we want to tell, but the reality is that passion doesn’t pay for equipment, locations, cast, and crew.
What I’m really excited about, though, is that I’ve found a small group of incredibly talented creatives who share that same drive to make things happen. We’re collaborating on each other’s projects, pooling our skills and resources, and building our portfolios together. The goal is to keep creating, keep growing, and ultimately attract the funding and opportunities that will allow us to bring our larger projects, including feature films, to life.
We’re not waiting around for Hollywood to come knocking. We’re figuring out how to build something ourselves.
And I think that’s probably the biggest lesson I’ve learned along the way. You don’t have to know everything, have all the money, or feel completely ready before you begin. Sometimes you just need someone who believes in you, a few people willing to build alongside you, and the courage to finally get out of your own damn way.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I spent years in ministry trying to save souls. Now I make horror films that question who we actually need saving from. Life’s funny like that.
I’m a director, producer, and writer with a particular fascination for the things we’re taught to fear, the stories we’re told to believe, and what happens when people start questioning both. I’m drawn to psychological horror and thrillers because I love exploring the darker corners of human behavior, especially when there’s something deeply human underneath all the chaos.
As a lesbian and former minister, I definitely bring a somewhat unusual perspective to storytelling. I’ve lived in two worlds that, for much of my life, I was taught couldn’t coexist. That experience has made me fascinated by identity, belief, power, and the ways people are shaped by the communities they belong to. I’m interested in what happens when those worlds collide.
One of the projects I’m most excited about right now is *Born Again*, a queer psychological horror short that I’m writing and directing. It’s a deeply personal story that explores religious trauma, sexuality, and the danger of surrendering your identity in exchange for acceptance. We’re currently in development and working toward production, and it’s a project I’m incredibly passionate about bringing to life.
I’m also co-founder of Hippie and a Nun Productions with my creative partner, Lea Roman. We’re developing several projects, including horror and thriller films, and working toward building a body of work that reflects the kinds of stories we want to see more of. We don’t necessarily want to make safe, predictable films. We want to make things that are entertaining, provocative, and maybe even a little weird.
We recently wrapped production on *Pretty Privilege*, a psychological thriller written by Lea that I directed, and we’re currently in post-production. The film explores the darker side of being seen as attractive and what happens when admiration turns into obsession. It’s been exciting to bring Lea’s story to life, and it’s a great example of the kind of work we’re building together.
We’re also developing a horror anthology that I’m particularly excited about. The concept brings together writers and filmmakers to explore the folklore, legends, and creatures connected to their ancestry or upbringing, reimagining those stories through a contemporary horror lens. Rebecca Kovach is writing a story inspired by the Rougarou of Louisiana folklore, a legend that was part of her childhood. Traycee King is developing a story inspired by the Manananggal of Filipino folklore, Casey Cuellar is exploring Korean lore, Lea is writing a story rooted in Mexican folklore, and I’m working on one inspired by Eastern European legends. What I love about this project is that we’re not just creating a collection of monster stories. Each of us brings a different perspective and personal connection to the material, allowing us to explore how folklore reflects the fears, beliefs, and identities of the communities that pass these stories down. It’s also a chance to celebrate different voices and give these legends new life.
On the feature side, we currently have two films in development. One is a psychological thriller centered on a woman whose life begins to unravel after an accident leaves her questioning her memory, her reality, and everything she thought she knew. The other is a project Lea and I are developing together that takes us back to the ’90s, blending coming-of-age nostalgia with some darker, unexpected elements. We’re keeping the details under wraps for now, but let’s just say we’re having a lot of fun revisiting that era. Both films represent the next step in what we’re working toward: taking the stories and creative relationships we’re building through our short films and growing them into larger productions.
Something else I’m really proud of is Creative Exchange (C/X), which Lea and I started to bring together people from different creative disciplines. I’m a big believer that creativity doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Some of the most exciting things happen when you put people with completely different backgrounds, talents, and perspectives in the same room and see what comes out of it.
And I think that gets to what might set me apart. I don’t just love making films. I genuinely love connecting people and helping them make things happen. I’ve discovered that I have a knack for recognizing potential, seeing how people’s skills might complement each other, and bringing them together around an idea.
I don’t know that I can point to one particular accomplishment and say that’s what I’m most proud of. Of course, directing *Project N Terro* was a huge milestone for me, and seeing it screen at events like LA Comic Con and Long Beach Comic Con has been incredibly rewarding. But I think what I’m most proud of is the creative community I’m helping build and the fact that I’m finally stepping into my own voice as a filmmaker.
For a long time, I was looking for stories that reflected my experiences. Now I’m in a position to help create them. And if I can open a few doors for other people along the way, even better.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Oh, this list could go on forever! I’m a bit of a perpetual student. I love learning, growing, questioning things, and discovering new perspectives. Whether it’s filmmaking, psychology, spirituality, or understanding myself and the world around me, I’m always exploring something.
On the filmmaking side, one of my absolute favorite tools is Scriptation. I’m actually a Scriptation Ambassador, and I genuinely LOVE this app. We use it to break down scripts, tag elements, and generate element reports for production planning. I can annotate scripts, create shot lists, add reference photos to communicate my visual ideas, and scribble notes all over everything. One of my favorite features is that when a new version of a script comes in, I can import it and transfer my notes to the updated pages. If you’ve ever spent hours marking up a script only to receive a new draft, you understand how amazing that is! It’s become an essential part of my directing and pre-production workflow.
I’m also a member of Blackmagic Collective, an incredible organization dedicated to helping filmmakers learn, connect, and advance their careers. They offer educational workshops, hands-on training, networking events, and initiatives designed to help filmmakers gain experience and access opportunities in the industry. I especially appreciate their commitment to supporting underrepresented filmmakers and creating pathways for people who might not otherwise have those connections. Having entered this industry knowing absolutely nobody, organizations like this mean a lot to me.
Another community I absolutely love is The Independent Film School, founded by filmmaker Ela Thier. Ela has created such an encouraging, supportive environment for independent filmmakers. She offers lessons on everything from screenwriting and producing to directing and editing, and there’s a wonderful community of people sharing their experiences, asking questions, and genuinely cheering each other on. It’s one of those spaces where you feel comfortable learning, no matter where you are in your filmmaking journey.
I recently joined Women in Horror LA, and I’m already loving the energy of that community. It’s so welcoming, open, and genuinely supportive. There’s something really special about being surrounded by women who love making things that go bump in the night!
I also follow filmmaker Noam Kroll, who shares a wealth of practical information about independent filmmaking. There are so many generous people out there sharing what they’ve learned, and I try to soak up as much of it as I can.
Music is another huge source of inspiration for me. I’m constantly discovering independent musicians on TikTok and Instagram because I believe music is such an important part of storytelling. The right song can completely transform a scene or make an emotional moment hit in a way dialogue never could. While working on *Project N Terro*, I discovered CHROMERA, a queer hyperpunk duo whose sound blends industrial rock with electronic, almost cyberpunk energy. I was immediately drawn to their music, but what really caught my attention was learning that one of the vocalists had a background similar to mine. I reached out, we connected, and they generously allowed us to use their song *Save Urself* over our closing credits. It was such a cool experience, and a reminder of how much incredible talent is out there waiting to be discovered. I love finding ways to bring independent artists into the filmmaking process and hopefully introduce their work to new audiences.
Outside of filmmaking, I’m fascinated by human behavior, belief systems, and the process of figuring out who we really are underneath all the expectations we’ve absorbed throughout our lives. Monte Mader has been a great voice for me when it comes to religious deconstruction, and Dr. Steven Hassan’s work on undue influence and high-control groups has been incredibly interesting, especially given my background. I also enjoy following Sam Cross for conversations around queerness, spirituality, metaphysics, and self-discovery. I love people who challenge me to look at things from a different angle and ask better questions.
And because you can’t spend all your time contemplating the human psyche, dismantling belief systems, and figuring out how to make horror movies on a shoestring budget, everyone needs a little comic relief. For that, I head straight to Celeste Barber’s Instagram. She cracks me up! Sometimes you just need to laugh at the absurdity of life and not take yourself so seriously.
But honestly, my greatest resource is probably the people I’ve connected with along the way. I’ve learned so much from other creatives who are willing to share their knowledge, collaborate, and lift each other up. I think that’s why building community has become such a big part of what I do.
I’m a firm believer that the moment you think you know everything is probably the moment you need to start learning something new. Stay curious, stay open, and don’t forget to laugh along the way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hippieandanunproductions.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monique.efta/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/monique.efta
- LinkedIn: https://www.hippieandanunproductions.com/
- Twitter: https://www.tiktok.com/@moniqueefta
- Other: https://scriptation.com/moniqueefta
