Meet Cristina Perez Basora

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Cristina Perez Basora. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Cristina , we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?

When I was a teenager, I found the Lord through prayer. Initially, I was the one doing all the talking, but before long, I began to hear the small, still voice of the Holy Spirit. I remember hearing the voice of the Lord telling me things about myself that only someone who truly knew me would know. This built a deep trust within me. This voice acted as a counselor, a motivator, a teacher, a guide, and a friend. He spoke to me like a perfect father, rooting for His child, believing in me, and encouraging me to pursue my destiny.

There were times when I would sit in His presence and just weep, feeling the loving comfort of my Father. Other times, it felt as if I were speaking to a motivational speaker who was inspiring me to push forward in life, strive for excellence, and understand that my strength came from above, not just from myself. This instilled massive confidence in me. Sometimes my human understanding would question my capabilities, but the more I got to know the Lord through His word and quality time in prayer, the more I began to believe that there comes a time when you no longer operate with your strength but with His. Knowing this gave me a boost of confidence; in Christ, we can do all things, especially those He calls us to do.

One particularly memorable moment was when I had just graduated from film school and was considering pursuing a career as a filmmaker in Hollywood when the Lord told me that this path was not for me. I was perplexed—if not in the biggest movie industry, what was I supposed to do? He revealed that I would make films, but not just ordinary films; I would create films that glorified Him and visually preached His word. He showed me a vision of myself standing with a panel of cast and crew members at a theater, interacting with viewers in a discussion similar to those at film festivals. The most beautiful aspect of this dream was that the audience was intrigued by the inspiration behind these visuals. The message of God was being conveyed through the art of filmmaking. This vision is what is driving me forward at this point in my life. Although it hasn’t come to fruition yet, I am confident that it will.

So to answer your question, my self-esteem and confidence come from the Lord, the One who created me, bestowed this gift upon me, and shepherds my soul.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I developed an interest in making movies when I was in the 7th grade, around 13 years old. I’ve always had vivid dreams that feel like adventures, far more exciting than real life. I often thought about how amazing it would be to show others what I saw in my dreams, exactly as I experienced them. I believed this could truly blow people’s minds. This is when my passion for filmmaking began. I knew it was part of my purpose, especially because I didn’t have any influence from others in the film industry. Nonetheless, I was determined that one day I would make films.

After film school, I initially wanted to pursue a career in the mainstream industry. However, my aspirations changed when I felt the Lord speak to me, revealing that He had a different path for me. I understood that I would make films for His glory, inspired by my dreams and visions. Reflecting on this calling made me feel that I needed to return to film school to learn special effects, as these dreams were supernatural. This calling was larger than I was prepared for.

I spent nearly ten years working as a bartender and waitress, waiting for the moment when I would “feel” ready. As the years flew by, I prayed for direction in my career. God answered by telling me, “Pay off your debt and quit your job to pursue filmmaking.” At that moment, I decided to fully commit to this path. I believed that following this guidance would help me escape the rat race and step into my purpose.

In 2018, I took the leap of faith and started my own video production business, Open Vision Video Productions. I began creating music videos for Christian artists, as well as producing videos for small businesses, weddings, and events, including a 360 photobooth service. However, late last year (2024), the Lord instructed me to start writing screenplays based on the visions and dreams I was truly called to produce. He encouraged me to refresh my mind with all that I learned in film school and to create vision boards and a plan of execution to bring these films to life. I am genuinely excited about this new chapter in my career.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

1. A vision with divine revelation
Vision is paramount in anything that you do in life. The more I pray and ask, the clearer my understanding of God’s will and purpose is for me. Proverbs 29:18 states, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.”

2. Faith
Faith has played a crucial role in embracing my calling. I see my calling as a gift from God, not something I earned through my own efforts. It is by His grace and the power of the Holy Spirit that I am able to fulfill this purpose. I have trusted in His guidance and have been amazed by how He has consistently exceeded my expectations. Living by faith can be challenging for those who do not know the Lord, but as I reflect on my life, I realize that nothing I have achieved through my own strength holds more value than what I can accomplish in Christ, who gives me strength.

3. Diligence
“The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing; but the soul of the diligent shall be made rich” (Proverbs 13:4).

I no longer just want to be a dreamer; I aspire to be someone who brings those dreams to life so they can be shared with the world. I refuse to waste any more time waiting to feel ready, as life itself is a journey in which we become ready when we confront our circumstances. If I believe this is what I was meant for, then my only task is to position myself and strive to be the best version of myself, so I can answer the call and fulfill my purpose.

My advice to anyone early in their journey is to take some time for self-reflection. Consider what you truly want and, most importantly, why you want it. Your motives are crucial; when our desires are driven by selfishness, we are more likely to fail. However, when we pursue goals with a pure heart, aiming to create something that blesses others and fosters unity and love in the world, we are more likely to prosper.

Also, think about what activities you naturally gravitate toward or excel at, and focus on those. Romans 12:8 states, “If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.”

I cannot emphasize enough the power we have through the Holy Spirit. It is a superpower when you fully embrace it. I encourage you to seek a personal relationship with God through prayer and reading His Word, and you will surely find Him. As it says in Luke 11:13, “How much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?”

Lastly, be diligent and persistent. Life will inevitably present you with resistance and opposition, so continue to push forward with your vision in focus and don’t stop until you reach your goals. Life doesn’t always unfold as planned, so be open to learning both hard and soft lessons along the way. Being teachable and adaptable will contribute to your long-term success.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

I love networking with all kinds of people because I believe everyone has something valuable to contribute for the glory of God. As I embark on this new journey, I’m eager to collaborate with others who share a passion for filmmaking. This includes cinematographers, scriptwriters, producers, directors, special effects technicians, editors, sound designers, actors, singers, and dancers. I also want to connect with film festival producers and anyone with a creative mindset and a drive for the art of filmmaking. Additionally, I welcome investors and sponsors, as sponsorship is essential for independent filmmakers.

Let’s connect on Instagram: www.instagram.com/OpenVisionVideoProductions.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/OpenVisionVideoProductions.
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/openvisionvideoproductions/
• Other: https://www.facebook.com/VidaMaravilla/

Image Credits

Nathan Bradford Flashback Photography, Gabriella Garcia, Chris Mayfield.