Today we’d like to introduce you to Isaiah Francis.
Hi isaiah, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Moving from Florida to Los Angeles at the age of 22 in 2008, God blessed me to get back into indie filmmaking in 2024 after being away for ten years. In 2014, after 8 years of struggling to breakthrough in Hollywood, multiple deals falling through – the producer of Transformers passed on my script – and last minute shortcomings, I decided to give up on landing anything significant in film.
Yet, after spending 13 years in finance (20 in total in corporate) and holding multiple leadership roles, In 2024, I became disillusioned with the conveyor belt of Corporate America.
Witnessing world-changing events like Trayvon Martin, Tamir Rice, and now Nolan Wells, I’ve always wanted to tell compelling stories that make Americans – Black and White – ask hard truths about their lives. It’s easy to not like someone. But can you out of the goodness of your heart help those in need? Give someone grace as you would want it? Do unto others, as you would want them to do unto you? Especially, when they don’t look like you? This is walking in faith.
I have won 6 “Best Short” awards, 2 “Best Director” awards and 1 “Best Writer” award over the past 2 years. I’ve been blessed to be shown at the prestigious Trillvision, Culver City, Marina del Rey and Light Reel Film Festivals and screened at 30 festivals worldwide since 2024.
I have an incredible team that has brought to life 5 short stories. My films range in many topics, but they always have one underlying factor: forgiveness.
My goal going into the new year is to find representation, produce one more electric short film, and then gather funding for my debut feature about the January 6th Insurrection.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The major challenge has been keeping faith; watching others that you know succeed while you are left behind. Life has no guarantees, so will never know if you’re going to get discovered or not. You really don’t know how to get discovered. So, when you see people that you know do make it, it can bring joy or sadness. But in life you have to pivot. Life is a constant pivot. And I’m glad that God has kept my foot moving forward.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My background is in banking and credit management. I’ve worked for the biggest banks, but working with the everyday person is what has fulfilled me. Management is all about managing people. If you can get people to see the potential in themselves, then they will make better decisions. This rolls over to how they manage their money as well.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
Trusting in God and following his guidance. Even in making bad decisions, being able to learn from them.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @isaiahfrancistruth
- Other: isaiah.lco@gmail.com
