Meet Fearon Deweese

We recently connected with Fearon Deweese and have shared our conversation below.

Fearon, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?

Where do you get your resilience from?
Resilience, for me, has always come from a mix of sheer determination, adaptability, and a deep love for storytelling. I’ve never been someone who takes the easy road—probably because I don’t believe it exists. Life, especially in the entertainment industry, has a way of throwing curveballs, and I’ve learned that resilience isn’t about avoiding them, but about adjusting your stance so you can still hit the ball.

My journey in this industry started behind the scenes—eight years as the Experience Director for Napa Valley Film Festival, working with talent, productions, and brands to bring unforgettable moments to life. But as much as I loved it, I knew I wanted more than just building experiences for others—I wanted to create. So, I took a leap into independent filmmaking, co-founding Ashella Productions with Juliana Folk, writing and directing our own pilot. That leap, however, wasn’t into a cushy, welcoming safety net. It was into a world of closed doors, skepticism, and an industry that often overlooks mid-career creatives—especially women in their 40’s.

That’s where StreamFest was born—from the fire of knowing how hard it is to carve out space in an industry that isn’t built for newcomers or those making a pivot. I knew if we wanted real change, we had to build the stage ourselves instead of waiting for an invite to someone else’s. Creating a festival from scratch is no small feat. There’s rejection, financial obstacles, and a constant battle to prove why your vision is worth fighting for. But I remind myself daily: if you want something different, you have to be the one to do it differently.

Resilience isn’t about never failing—it’s about never stopping. It’s about waking up every day and saying, “Okay, what’s next?” even when yesterday knocked you down. And for me, resilience is knowing that StreamFest isn’t just about creating another festival—it’s about creating opportunities, connecting people, breaking barriers, and proving that the future of storytelling belongs to those brave enough to push forward.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I was born and raised in Vacaville, CA, but Napa has always felt like my second home. My husband is from Napa, and we spend a lot of time there—it’s a place that has always inspired me, both creatively and personally. But my most important role? Being a mom to my 6-year-old daughter Ellamay, who is my absolute world.

Balancing motherhood and launching a new business has been one of the hardest and most rewarding challenges of my life. Some days, I feel like I’m crushing it, and other days, I’m drowning in school emails, field trip reminders, and the endless to-do list that I haven’t even had a chance to start because I’ve been in meetings all day. I’ve learned to be okay with doing my best, even when it doesn’t feel like enough—and that sometimes, the best way to be present is to shut off the phone, ignore the emails, and soak up those little moments that go by way too fast. This sometimes can feel impossible to do, though with a brain that just doesn’t shut off.

I’ve come to understand myself better in recent years—I was diagnosed with ADHD in my 40’s, and it was such a revelation to realize that so many of the things I’ve struggled with weren’t personal failures but just the way my brain works. I now see it as a superpower—my hyperfocus helps me get things done, my drive keeps me pushing forward, and my creativity is what fuels everything I do. Sure, there are days when I feel paralyzed by ADHD bed freeze, but I’ve learned tricks to keep moving—Mel Robbins’ 5-4-3-2-1 method is a lifesaver, and I swear by wearing tennis shoes all day, even at home, to trick my brain into “work mode.” But I also live for a good, lazy Saturday in PJs and those rare mornings when I can actually sleep in.

With that same passion and drive, I co-founded Napa Valley StreamFest with my best friend and actress Juliana Folk, a first-of-its-kind festival launching April 24–27, 2025. After spending twelve years working for other film festivals and seeing firsthand how limiting traditional festivals can be, I knew there had to be a better way to celebrate storytelling.

StreamFest is a game-changer. It’s not just a film festival—it’s a curated experience celebrating the best in TV, podcasts, films, and digital content in a way that reflects how people actually consume entertainment today. Instead of rushing from venue to venue, standing in endless lines, or missing out on something great, attendees will binge-watch, discover, and engage all in one theater with live podcast recordings, cast reunions, exclusive screenings, and interactive experiences.

We’re also deeply committed to mentorship and inclusivity through our nonprofit, StreamFest Society, which helps mid-career professionals (35+) pivot into the entertainment industry. Directing my first project at 42 and trying to pivot careers from Directing and Producing events and festivals to directing and producing films, well, it just wasn’t as welcomed as one might think. In this industry, you are met with “How many IMDB credits do you have to your name?” instead of What skills do you have? Most of the fellowships and mentorship programs I could find were geared toward those just coming out of film school or college. What about the mom who is in her 40’s who barely made it through COVID and decided she wants a career change and wants to follow her dream of filmmaking…. huh, where that’s mentorship? So we had to set out to create our own mentorship to help those pivoting into this industry. And no, we don’t have it all figured out, and we aren’t big names, but we can bring in some mentors who are, and we can help by connecting those with the right mentor. Something I wish I had when I went to direct my first project.

So it’s important for us to put on a successful festival so we can have the funds to create even more programs and on-set experiences for our mentees.

With The Hollywood Reporter as a media partner, top talent joining our lineup, and an amazing team bringing this vision to life, we can’t wait to introduce StreamFest to the world. Passes are on sale now, and we know when we announce our lineup in March, they will sell out fast.

So, what’s next? A lot of late nights, a lot of green tea, and hopefully, a lot of game-changing moments that redefine what a festival can be. But more than anything, I hope that StreamFest becomes a place where creators, fans, and industry leaders come together in a way that hasn’t been done before.

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. “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” – Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.

One of my favorite movie quotes.

One of the blessings—and curses—of ADHD is the constant flood of ideas and thoughts. Sometimes, I have to force myself to slow down and look around. And often, the ideas that won’t leave me, the ones I keep obsessing over, seem to come with signs—little nudges from the universe pointing me in the right direction.

Advidce: I truly believe in manifesting and have seen it work. Ask the universe out loud for what you want, pitch an idea, and then simply listen for the response. Most of the time, the answer is there—you just have to stop, look around, and pay attention… or you’ll miss it.

2. Relentless Persistence – Keep Going, Even When It’s Hard
Nothing about launching a festival, building a career in entertainment, or even just balancing life and work has been easy. There have been moments where I’ve wanted to throw in the towel, where everything felt too overwhelming, but the one thing I never did was quit. Persistence is what separates success from failure.
Advice: Get comfortable hearing “no” and keep pushing forward anyway. The best opportunities often come after the 10th rejection, not the first.

3. Building Meaningful Connections – Relationships Are Everything
I’ve never been a fan of the word “networking.” To me, it’s always been about genuine connections—building real relationships with people, not just for career gain but because I truly value the people I work with. So many of my biggest opportunities have come from long-term relationships that were built on trust and respect.
Advice: Go into every interaction with curiosity and authenticity. Don’t just connect with people because of what they can do for you—support others, collaborate, and be someone people want to work with.

For anyone starting their journey, embrace these three qualities and keep pushing forward. The path won’t always be clear, but if you stay persistent, adaptable, and surround yourself with the right people, you’ll find success in ways you never imagined.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

We are actively looking for brands, partners, and philanthropists who believe in our mission and want to play a key role in helping us bring Napa Valley StreamFest to life in its inaugural year.

StreamFest isn’t just a festival—it’s a movement. We’re reshaping the way storytelling is celebrated, blending the worlds of film, TV, podcasts, and social content into a curated, one-theater experience that engages audiences like never before. We are passionate about discovery, mentorship, and innovation, and we want to align with partners who share that same vision.

We are seeking:
🔹 Brand Partners – Companies that want to activate in a meaningful way, whether through venue sponsorships, immersive experiences, or content-driven collaborations.
🔹 Philanthropic Supporters – Individuals or organizations who believe in the power of storytelling and want to invest in a festival that uplifts creators, fosters mentorship, and provides career-changing opportunities for mid-career professionals pivoting into entertainment.
🔹 Hospitality & Luxury Brands – Napa Valley is synonymous with world-class experiences, and we’re looking for wine, spirits, travel, and lifestyle partners who want to engage with an influential audience in a highly curated setting.
🔹 Filmmakers and creatives – You can still submit films, podcasts, social content,t and series on FilmFreeway.com.

This is your chance to be a part of something new, innovative, and impactful—not just to sponsor a festival but to be a foundational partner in something that will shape the future of entertainment.

Let’s collaborate! If you’re interested in partnering, sponsoring, or supporting StreamFest, reach out to me directly at Fearon@NapaValleyStreamFest.com. Let’s create something unforgettable together!

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Nicole Sepulveda
Alexander Rubin Photography

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