We’re looking forward to introducing you to Mysti Cozart Smith. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Mysti , thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
Honestly, I have always known that ministry somehow would be something I was destined to be a part of. The Lord will bless the work of your hands when you work for him-a statement that rang true over and over after hearing it from my Pastors’-Jonathan and Adalis Shuttlesworth at Revival Today. I was afraid to step out from the crowd and put ministry first because I didn’t know how the film and entertainment industry would perceive it. But now-I lend myself to bringing Faith, Hope, Love and how to find your way back home through Music and Film storytelling. COZY Faith and Family Films, was born out of a necessity to give a space for Faith, Grace, Hope and the Truth of God’s word a place to live and breathe in.
My journey through self discovery and a yearning to fulfil God’s plan in my life required me to be bold and to never back down. Today, as I do this interview, we are just a few days post wrap on set of “Love Comes Home To Holly”-A Faith-Based Holiday Romance-‘Sometimes, the best stories aren’t the ones we chase-they are the ones we come home to’.
“I have found my forever where the heart comes home”-a lyric line from the Original Song Title Track written by myself and my husband Brad Smith.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Interview Feature: Mysti Cozart-Smith – The Heart Behind COZY Faith & Family Films
“Love Comes Home To Holly”-slated for 2026 release.
Q: Mysti, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers and tell us a bit about what you do?
A: My name is Mysti Cozart-Smith, though most people know me as Mocha. I’m a writer, producer, songwriter, and director. My life and work have always been grounded in faith, family, and storytelling — the kind that reaches the soul and reminds people they’re never too far gone for grace.
I grew up in a home built on God’s Word, where faith wasn’t just something we talked about — it was how we lived. My parents taught us that no matter which road we traveled, we’d always have a home to come back to. They showed me that the Holy Spirit would be my compass, guiding me even when I felt lost or uncertain. That lesson has carried me through every season of my creative journey.
Q: What inspired the creation of your brand, COZY Faith & Family Films?
A: After many years working in the entertainment industry, I started to feel disconnected — like something was missing. My heart was restless, and even though I was creating, it didn’t feel like I was fulfilling my true purpose. So I stepped away for a few years to breathe, pray, and listen.
During that time, God began to place something new on my heart — a desire not just to create stories, but to be a blessing through them. Out of that came COZY Faith & Family Films, LLC.
“COZY” comes from my maiden name, Cozart, as a way to honor my father — the wisest man I’ve ever known. The Faith and Family part is dedicated to my mother, a prayer warrior whose belief shaped everything I am. Together, those words became a mission: to tell Stories of Faith, Stories of Family, and Stories that Stay With You.
Q: What makes COZY Faith & Family Films unique?
A: We’re more than a production company — we’re a home for heartfelt storytelling. Every project we create carries the truth of scripture woven through its moments — subtle, genuine, and full of grace. Our goal is to cultivate an atmosphere where families can gather, laugh, cry, and be reminded of God’s love through the power of story.
At COZY, we believe entertainment can still be clean, inspiring, and deeply moving — and that audiences are hungry for that kind of authenticity. We exist to prove that faith-based storytelling can be both cinematic and spiritually grounded — where excellence meets eternal purpose.
Q: What are you working on next?
A: Right now, our team is developing several exciting projects under the COZY banner — feature films, series, and stories that celebrate faith, family, and redemption. Each one is designed to uplift and remind people that God’s grace is still writing the best stories of all. Just two days ago, we called “that’s a wrap” on our first faith-based Christmas holiday romance. I’m still in awe of the passion, the teamwork, and the beautiful friendships that blossomed along the way. My heart couldn’t be fuller!
Q: What do you hope readers take away from your journey?
A: That sometimes God calls you to pause so He can prepare you. I walked away from the industry for a season, but in that quiet space, He showed me who I was meant to be — not just a creator, but a vessel. My prayer is that COZY Faith & Family Films continues to touch hearts, restore hope, and remind every viewer that they, too, have a home to come back to.
Closing Quote from Mysti:
“At the end of the day, I just want to tell stories that stay — the kind that make people feel seen, loved, and reminded that grace always finds its way home.”
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
The defining moment for me came when I finally surrendered—fully—to Christ. I stopped striving and started trusting, allowing Him to do the work He had already set in motion. It changed everything. I learned to rest in His grace, trust His plan and move forward in faith, with no turning back.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Absolutely. When we began production on Love Comes Home to Holly, it felt like everything that could go wrong tried to. It started when I paid a production crew up front—lesson learned—because they never showed up on set. Thankfully, God had already given me the foresight to hire a second full production team as backup, and they stepped in without missing a beat. (Shout out to Crane Shot Studios: My DP Mauricio Lopez, Camera Operator/Utility Sound Tech and Data Wrangler: Justin Mott of Mott Media, and Darlene Lopez: Key Hair and Makeup Artist who nailed every character look. D’Keyvin Cook-My 1st AD and second voice inside my head-: Superb Job! Ben Patrick who wore multiple hats and position of Gaffer-you rocked it! Cody King-PA-Great Job Man! My husband-my EVERYTHING Man: He pulled it all together as an Executive Producer turned Unit Production Manager and made it all happen!! EVEN the SNOW MACHINE!! YES-there is snow!!!
Then, tragedy struck close to home. The actor cast to play the pastor—the one delivering the sinner’s prayer—lost both his brother and father in the same week. We were heartbroken for him, but in God’s perfect timing, we found a stand-in: the husband of another actor in the film. He stepped into the role beautifully, and the scene turned out even more powerful than I had ever imagined.
And if that wasn’t enough, we had a mountain lion sighted near the 10-acre farm we were using as our backdrop. We gathered, prayed over the land, and by God’s grace, never saw it again. Even the property owner had to be rushed to the ER for exhaustion at one point—but after we prayed and declared healing, she returned to set just five hours later, completely restored. She is my ANGEL and Godsend and more importantly: My FRIEND!!
Through every obstacle, I saw God’s hand at work. This story is woven with faith, love, tender mercy, and His Word—and I truly believe it will bring souls to the Kingdom. The enemy tried to interfere, but God prevailed, as He always does. His Word never fails, and no matter the battle, He always wins. As my Pastors Jonathan and Adalis Shuttlesworth from Revival Today would say: Never mistake a challenge for a defeat!!! They have cultivated a spiritual place for us where we will never back down!!!
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
Q: What are the biggest lies that the filmmaking industry tells itself — especially when viewed through your Christian moral lens and where faith-based content stands in today’s society?
A: One of the biggest lies the industry tells itself is that faith-based films don’t sell — that audiences only want edgy, sensationalized, or shock-driven content to stay “relevant.” The truth is, people are hungry for hope. They’re craving stories that speak to the heart, that bring light into dark places, and that remind them that faith, family, and love still matter.
Another lie is that you have to compromise your beliefs to succeed. I’ve been in rooms where faith was treated as a limitation instead of a foundation — but I’ve learned that you don’t have to water down your convictions to make powerful art. You just have to be brave enough to create from a place of truth.
Faith-based storytelling isn’t outdated; it’s needed now more than ever. In a culture that often glorifies chaos, there’s something timeless about peace, redemption, and grace. I believe we’re in a season where God is raising up filmmakers who aren’t afraid to stand firm in their values — who understand that our stories aren’t just entertainment; they’re ministry.
So the real truth is this: the world doesn’t need more noise. It needs more light. And that’s where I believe faith-based content not only belongs — but thrives.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people say that I loved God deeply and that I loved people well. That every story I told, every film I created, and every song I wrote pointed back to Him in some way. I don’t want to be remembered for fame or accolades, but for faithfulness — that I stayed true to what God called me to do even when it wasn’t easy.
If people can look back and say, “She lived her purpose. She poured into others. She never stopped believing,” then that’s enough for me. I want my legacy to be one of light — that through COZY Faith & Family Films, and through my life, others saw the beauty of grace and the power of redemption.
At the end of the day, I just want the story they tell about me to be a reflection of the One who wrote it.
For those who helped my vision come to life:
Cast/Crew Names:
Bella Kane as Emma
Glendale Creech as Brad
Marie Wetherell as Sarah Lynn
Clay Wienecke as Chayse
Carla Kidd as Ms. Tilly
Kelly Kidd as Pastor Fletcher
Theresa Mills as Carol Lee
Emma Stelzer as Marie
Tristyn Vinson as Tristyn
Brad Smith as Mr. Charles
Mr. Chuck as himself
Mr. Steve as Mr. Miles
Mauricio Lopez DP/Camera Operator
Justin Mott Utility Soundtech/Camera Operator/Data Wrangler
Ben Patrick Gaffer
Brad Smith Unit Production Manager
Ms Carol Fall Set Decorator
Darlene Lopez Hair & Makeup
Cody King PA
R3wind Band (Mike, Mark, Clint & Jason)
Special thanks to our Vintage Car/Truck owners, Fall Farm Country Inn & Staff, Downtown Mineola Shops, & EVERYONE who had a hand in bringing this to life! Carol Fall-you have made a friend for life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cozyfaithandfamilyfilms.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mochaandtheflame/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mysti-mocha-cozart-smith-278991396/
- Other: https://www.coreentertainmentgroup.com/
Image Credits
All Images Owned by COZY Faith and Family Films, LLC ©
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
