Meet Ana Flavia Veiga

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ana Flavia Veiga. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ana Flavia below.

Ana Flavia, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

I don’t think imposter syndrome is something we ever fully “overcome.” At least not in the way we might hope. For me, it has been more about learning how to recognize it, understand it, and gently challenge it when it shows up.

It really peaked when I got into college, and even more intensely when I landed an internship at a company I had dreamed of working with for years. On the surface, these were moments of celebration, but internally, I was flooded with doubt. I felt like I had somehow slipped through the cracks, like I needed to constantly prove I belonged or else someone would realize I didn’t deserve to be there.

That was a turning point for me. I realized I couldn’t keep pushing those feelings aside or pretending they didn’t affect me. So I made the decision to start therapy and really invest in understanding where those patterns were coming from. What I discovered was that imposter syndrome often masks deeper insecurities—questions of worth, identity, and belonging—that deserve compassion, not dismissal.

Therapy gave me tools to ground myself in my why, to separate fact from fear, and to reframe the narrative I had internalized. I also started building a support system: mentors, peers, and friends who could reflect back my growth and remind me of what I brought to the table when I struggled to see it myself.

Most importantly, I started allowing myself to take up space, even when it felt uncomfortable. I began to honor the idea that humility and confidence can coexist. That I can be both learning and contributing, questioning and still worthy.

Imposter syndrome may still whisper in moments of change or challenge, but now I meet it with more clarity and less power. I remind myself that I am not here by accident. I am here because I’ve worked hard, stayed curious, and stayed open. That is enough.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’m a creative producer working across diverse mediums and genres, specializing in developing bold, globally connected stories that push creative boundaries. With a background in both studio and independent filmmaking, I have experience shaping projects from inception to completion, collaborating with filmmakers to bring their visions to life in innovative and impactful ways. Most recently, I produced Sueños Violentos, which was selected for the Oscar-qualifying LA Shorts, and Palmas, a USC MFA capstone documentary chosen for the Oscar-qualifying AmDocs. I’ve also interned at major studios and production companies, including Paramount, Fox, Atlas Entertainment, and Mandalay Pictures.

I’ve been an avid reader for as long as I can remember, and I’ve always loved the feeling of getting so lost in a story that I can’t put it down. That’s exactly what I aim to create—media that pulls audiences in so completely they can’t hit pause. Limitations and unpredictability can be scary, but honestly, that’s where I shine. I’m always ready to adapt, pivot, and come up with multiple plans to make things work. My team members even joke that I can turn water into wine.

Originally from a small city in Brazil, my journey into the world of film began at 14, fueled by curiosity and a desire to explore beyond my surroundings. Growing up in a household where critical thinking and open communication were limited, I found solace in cinema, a space where I could express ideas, emotions, and perspectives that otherwise felt unreachable. Since then, filmmaking has shaped every major decision in my life, leading me to USC’s School of Cinematic Arts and a career dedicated to developing compelling, globally connected stories.

I also love the interdisciplinary nature of storytelling—layering different art forms into my work, and embracing collaborations that push the boundaries of genre and format. Some of the most meaningful moments in my career have come from exchanging ideas with artists from completely different disciplines and watching how those perspectives reshape and elevate a story. That kind of collaboration fuels me because, at its core, storytelling is about connection, about bridging worlds, experiences, and emotions in ways that resonate across different backgrounds, perspectives, and identities. Ultimately, my mission as a producer is to develop stories that resonate deeply, challenge perspectives, and create a lasting cultural impact. I want my work to inspire others to see the world differently, spark curiosity, and believe in the power of storytelling as a force for change.

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?

Some of the most defining moments in my journey didn’t look like milestones at the time. They looked like saying yes to a project I had no roadmap for, staying up all night trying to solve a problem no one else could see, or choosing to keep creating even when the outcome was uncertain. Looking back, what carried me through wasn’t one big break or a perfect plan—it was a combination of curiosity, resilience, and a deep belief in collaboration.

Curiosity was the spark that lit everything. As a teenager in a small city in Brazil, filmmaking wasn’t just a hobby, it was a lifeline. It gave me a way to ask questions I didn’t have words for yet, to explore the world beyond what was in front of me. That hunger to understand and express—to dive deep into a story or an emotion—still drives every project I take on. For those just starting out: let your questions guide you, not your need for answers. Curiosity creates motion, and motion is everything.

Resilience is what kept the flame alive. The creative path is rarely smooth. There are setbacks, rejections, moments when you doubt your voice or your place in the room. But I’ve learned that resilience isn’t about pretending to be unaffected, it’s about learning to bend and adapting without breaking. It’s about using limitations as fuel, and trusting that persistence, when paired with purpose, is powerful. For me, resilience was built in those scrappy early projects, and strengthened every time I chose to keep going with heart.

And collaborative thinking has shaped how I build and lead. I’ve always been drawn to interdisciplinary, multicultural teams—spaces where diverse voices can challenge and elevate one another. Whether I’m producing a music video or developing a looking now for IP, I see storytelling as a deeply collective act. My advice: treat collaboration not just as a skill, but as a philosophy. Listen with generosity and grace. Share with intention. The best work grows in connection.

There’s no single path into this world—and that’s what makes it beautiful. Stay open, stay grounded, and don’t be afraid to create the kind of space you wish you had when you started. That’s where the real impact begins.

Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?

In the past year, I’ve grown in ways that are harder to quantify but deeply felt. The most meaningful shift has been learning how to lead with both vision and vulnerability—and to trust that those two things can coexist, even strengthen each other.

For a long time, I believed that being a strong producer meant being unshakeable—solving problems quickly, holding everything together quietly, making things happen no matter what. And in many ways, that mindset served me. I’m resourceful. I know how to build structure around chaos. But somewhere along the way, I started asking myself: at what cost? What does it mean to be strong if it leaves no room for softness—for uncertainty, for curiosity, for care?

This past year invited me—sometimes gently, sometimes not—to be more present with myself and with others. To say “I don’t know” without shame. To ask for support. To let projects unfold, rather than gripping too tightly. I began to see that leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about creating the conditions for others to bring their best, and for the story to find its truest shape. That requires clarity, yes—but it also requires humility, listening, and a willingness to stay open even when things are messy or unresolved.

I’ve also learned to be more forgiving with myself. To celebrate the quiet wins. To recognize that growth doesn’t always look like doing more—it sometimes looks like pausing, softening, trusting. That’s been a powerful and unexpected lesson.

I’m still learning what it means to lead in a way that feels aligned with who I am. But I know now that vision doesn’t have to come at the expense of vulnerability. In fact, some of the most meaningful creative breakthroughs I’ve had this year came from the moments when I allowed myself to be fully seen—not just as a producer, but as a person.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.anaflaviaveiga.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anaflaviabresciani/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anaflaviaveiga/

Image Credits

Liam Hoole