We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Cecilia Memor a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Cecilia , first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
The first time I became aware of experiencing imposter syndrome was when I applied to the University system. I was accepted by a couple of well known universities in the country. At that time, I visited all the campuses as I wanted to make an inform decision. One day when visiting one of the campus, it was lunch time, I had finished eating lunch, and on my way out the restaurant, there was a white woman from the Bay Area coming inside the facility. I was minding my own business while feeling overwhelmed by the decision I had to make. The woman and I crossed paths by the exit door, she looked at me from head to toe, and yelled at me “get out my way maid.” I was shocked. I went down a rabbit hole questioning and doubting myself for considering transferring to that university town. That woman’s action impacted my decision, and I ended up staying at a local university in LA where I could be surrounded by more people of color like me.
Most privileged people live unaware of how many challenges and barriers minorities face daily. The feeling of not belonging is one of those challenges, and this issue remains more prevalent among filmmakers of color like me. Making a positive impact towards supporting those who feel alienated will take time. As the first step to resolve it, it is by acknowledging within ourselves the problem is real, and affects people deeply.
In the meantime, while societies and individuals become more compassionate and understanding of other people’s struggles, we have to be responsible for our own well being. These are some of the things that help me when I am experiencing the feeling of not belonging in a place: I acknowledge how I am feeling without trying to call it something else. I challenge my negative self-talk and try to focus on my accomplishments. I identify what triggers me and practice self-compassion. I keep a written journal to discuss some of my thoughts with my therapist.
I hope everyone who is trying to overcome imposter syndrome out there can find at least one or two people they feel comfortable to talk about this problem. I hope they feel seen and understood, and I hope they realized how worthy they all are.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am a filmmaker who is currently working in the development of a small company. As a brown Latina Filmmaker, I like to tell stories that involve elements of my Latino identity. It excites me the process of finding creative ways to adapt those stories so wider audiences can embrace them. For me, it is important that during the writing process I keep true to the message aiming to convey. As a Latina who grew up around Catholicism and tradition, I still unconsciously live based on old fashion concepts. Thus, I try to challenge myself and the status quo through my stories. I am a believer that through storytelling, we can support the process of healing intergenerational trauma, and we can build the base where a more progressive nonviolent, and more inclusive way of thinking flourishes.
Thus, Brown Girls Make Films has become the passion project of my life. I want the brand to be able to convey universal stories of resilience, hope, and self-determination. I see the brand creating job opportunities for communities that remain marginalized in the film industry. I know many filmmakers who are first generation graduating from college. They have the creativity and the skills to work in any position of the film industry, but they lack the contacts. Brown Girls Make Films wants to provide the space and opportunities for those filmmakers who must fight one hundred times harder than those born with some privilege.
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?
Three of the most important qualities that have supported my journey is my resilience. The other one is keeping the ability to see the cup half full instead of half empty. And lastly, the will to live an introspective life to learn from my mistakes. Those three qualities support me to keep objective when things don’t go according to plans. If I had to give some advice to those who are still early in their journey, I could humbly share the following lessons I learned in life: We don’t need to force ourselves to be someone we are not just for the sake to fit in. Find your inner voice and embrace it avoid trying to be a replica of someone else expectations. At the same time remember that embracing our voice does not necessarily mean we force our ideas onto others. We should live a conscious life knowing that the same way we would like to be fully accepted by others, we should also provide the space for others to be who they are. People with different opinions and ideas than us. Learning how to live a balance and humble life where we own our mistakes and celebrate our triumphs would make our path to aging easier. Remember! Never underestimate no one, it could fire back in unexpected ways later in your career. Our time living on earth is brief don’t make it harder for yourself and for others. Let go what it is not meant to be!
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
What a great question! Thank you! Yes, I am in the process of writing my business plan which has taken longer than I expected. I graduated from Film School right a few months before we entered the Covid 19 pandemic, and like everybody else, I have been trying to get back on my feet. The world has experienced a couple of rough economic years. These hard years have made the journey of finishing the business plan something daunting. I thought I had a clear idea of what I would like to accomplish through the Brown Girls Make Films project, but I need some support. It would be amazing if I could find someone from the film industry who could coach on how to get my first big project. The goal is that through that project, we could provide opportunities for emerging filmmakers coming from poor communities. I need someone who knows the business inside out. Someone with a kind heart who supports people’s dreams. If you are a someone who dreams with a better world, someone who lives with passion and has experience in the film industry, someone who would like to support the pursuit of this dream, please reach out. Email us at [email protected]. We’ll be waiting.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://browngirlsmakefilms.com/
- Instagram: Cecilia MeMor
Image Credits
Image credits: Alejandra Espasande, Manuel Chitay.
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