Meet Sofia Maggi

We recently connected with Sofia Maggi and have shared our conversation below.

Sofia , thank you so much for making time for us. We’ve always admired your ability to take risks and so maybe we can kick things off with a discussion around how you developed your ability to take and bear risk?

I didn’t become comfortable with taking risks overnight. It’s been a slow, ongoing process—learning to live with uncertainty and to trust that I’ll find my way, even when the path isn’t clear. One of the biggest leaps I’ve taken was moving to Los Angeles to follow my passion for filmmaking. It wasn’t an easy choice. Coming from Italy, leaving behind my home, roots, and the people I love was overwhelming. It felt like stepping into the unknown—exciting but also incredibly scary.
Still, something was electrifying about being in a place full of creative people who spoke the same language of passion and dreams. That energy was contagious. I felt seen, inspired, and reminded every day why I had taken the risk in the first place. It stretched me in ways I hadn’t imagined personally and creatively.
None of it would’ve been possible without the support of my family and closest friends. They’ve been my anchor through every high and low—reminding me of my strength when I doubted myself, cheering me on when I took leaps, and giving me space to grow. Their belief in me gave me the courage to keep going. Because of them, I’ve learned to see risk not as something to fear, but as a doorway to possibility.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I’m an actress and producer from Italy and am currently splitting my time between Los Angeles and Europe. Acting has always been a part of me—my first experience of what it feels like to lose yourself in a story fully, and in doing so, discover something true. There’s something magical about stepping into someone else’s shoes, navigating their emotions, struggles, and dreams. It’s not just performance—it’s connection. It’s where I feel most alive, most free, and most myself.
As I evolved creatively, my love for storytelling naturally expanded into producing. I wanted to help bring to life stories that matter—stories that explore identity, memory, vulnerability, and all the complexity that makes us human. I’m working on a documentary titled What Am I Doing Here in Vietnam?
The project was born from something close to home: my grandfather, stationed in Vietnam, left behind rare wartime footage. Those images stayed with me for years. I felt a deep pull to understand what he saw, what he carried with him, and what so many veterans still have today. That curiosity led me on a journey—not just across the world, but into a deeper understanding of trauma, memory, and resilience.
The film focuses on the emotional legacy of the Vietnam War, told through the voices of American veterans. It explores PTSD, generational impact, and healing. Traveling to Vietnam was an emotional experience. I wanted to see the land with my own eyes, meet the people, and listen to the remaining echoes. The documentary weaves present-day interviews, cultural reflection, and my grandfather’s original footage, creating a quiet, thoughtful space for empathy and understanding.
Whether acting or producing, my goal is always to tell stories that feel real, messy, layered, and honest. I believe deeply in the power of cinema not just to entertain but to move us, challenge us, and sometimes help us heal. That belief keeps me going, and I plan to carry it with me in everything I create.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Courage is essential in many forms, not just the bold kind. It includes the quiet courage to keep going when uncertain or uncomfortable. Moving to another country for acting, taking on new creative roles, and starting my documentary without knowing how it would turn out all needed trust in myself. I had to be willing to leap without guarantees.

Curiosity has guided me throughout my journey. It led me to storytelling and inspires me to dive deep into the characters I play and the subjects I explore. It drives me to keep learning and asking questions, staying open to growth—even when I don’t get answers right away.

Patience is also important. Much of the creative journey, whether building a career or making a film, involves long waits, refining ideas, and trusting that the right moment will come. Things don’t always happen as quickly as I wish, and learning to stay grounded during those times has been a valuable lesson.

Perseverance has been crucial, especially when facing rejection. This industry often says “no.” I’ve learned not to take it personally and to keep showing up with the same passion, even when progress seems slow. Rejection doesn’t mean failure; sometimes it just redirects me.

My father gives me the strength to keep going, to not give up after the first (or tenth) closed door. He taught me that consistency beats luck and reminded me that showing up builds character even when no one is watching. His quiet strength has been an example for me, helping me push through tough days with the belief that persistence matters.

What would you advise – going all in on your strengths or investing on areas where you aren’t as strong to be more well-rounded?

I believe in becoming more well-rounded. While we all have natural strengths, I’ve found that real growth happens when we lean into the parts of ourselves that feel less certain. I never want to stop learning, and the moments that have shaped me the most have almost always come from stepping outside my comfort zone.
Acting has always felt like home to me—it’s where I first discovered how powerful storytelling can be. However, as I spent more time in the industry, I felt a pull to understand the process more fully. That curiosity led me into producing, which honestly scared me at first. I wasn’t sure I had what it took to handle logistics, planning, or lead a team. But I pushed through the discomfort, and little by little, I learned. It was messy and humbling at times, but so worth it.
Creating my documentary, What Am I Doing Here in Vietnam?, pushed me even further. I found myself diving into a history I didn’t fully know, having deeply personal conversations about trauma and memory, and meeting incredibly creative people who helped bring the vision to life. What surprised me most was how empowering it was to share the idea openly—to say, “This is what I want to create,” and see people respond, collaborate, and say yes. That process gave me courage. It reminded me that confidence doesn’t always come first—sometimes it’s built in the doing.
I’ve learned that the most meaningful transformations come not from staying in your strengths, but from showing up where you feel unsure and growing through the experience. I try to keep showing up like that—open, curious, and willing to evolve. Because that’s where the real magic lives.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sofiamaggi.com
• Instagram: @sofiamaramaggi