Meet Frank Zanella

We were lucky to catch up with Frank Zanella recently and have shared our conversation below.

Frank, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.

I believe that self-confidence and self-esteem are built step by step, day by day. It is a long and often challenging process because it requires looking within, facing one’s insecurities, and searching for answers that we may not even know exist. However, by asking ourselves the right questions, we can gradually find the answers we need.

I started this inner search very early, but for years, I couldn’t find any answers. During my adolescence, I always felt different from others and disconnected from the reality around me. This led me to withdraw into myself in an attempt to make sense of what I was feeling and to gradually build the person I am today.

Through my journey, my travels, and the challenges life has placed before me, I have learned to understand my limits and to question my true potential. Over time, I realized that feeling “different,” like a black sheep, was because I was following a path that wasn’t truly mine.

There is a famous quote attributed to Einstein that says: “Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing it is stupid.”

For years, I felt like a fish trying to climb majestic trees simply because I saw others doing it. Then, one day, I realized that what I truly desired was to swim in the ocean. And ever since I finally found the courage to do so, I haven’t stopped.

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 am a writer and director, currently in my final year of the MFA Filmmaking program at NYFA in Los Angeles.

From a young age, I have been fascinated by the world of cinema and have always dreamed of becoming a director to tell stories. As I grew up, this desire became more and more real, but at first, I had to face family expectations and take a different path. However, once I was certain about my future, I enrolled at DAMS in Bologna, where I earned a degree in Film Analysis. At the same time, I had the opportunity to study film acting at the StudioEmme academy in Turin.

After graduating, I created my first short film as a self-taught filmmaker and attended an Acting for Film course in English at NYFA in Florence. After completing that experience, I decided to take a big leap and move to Los Angeles to study filmmaking at NYFA.

My journey here has been intense but incredibly rewarding. Even with my first-semester project, I had the chance to participate in several festivals and win multiple awards. A year later, I have participated in 15 festivals, earning 6 awards with 3 different projects. Thanks to this experience, I have been able to explore my artistic voice and refine my storytelling style, leading me to create an independent short film and write a children’s book.

Currently, I am focusing on writing my thesis, the final project of my master’s program, with the goal of deepening my approach to storytelling and representing reality. My next step is to dedicate myself to larger projects and professional opportunities, hoping to continue telling stories that can move and inspire audiences.

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?

Looking back, there are definitely aspects of my character and life that have led me to make certain choices and become the person I am today.

The first thing I would say is determination. This has had a huge impact on my decisions and my approach to life. When you have a clear goal and strong determination to achieve it, you are willing to make difficult, often painful choices—like leaving home, friends, family, and everything you hold dear—to chase your dream. These sacrifices are tough, but they are often necessary to build your own path.

The second quality that has helped me a lot is the ability to keep going despite difficulties. There are moments when everything seems to go wrong, when you start questioning yourself and lose confidence. But it’s in these moments that you truly understand how much your dream means to you. If you find the strength to overcome obstacles, it means that what you’re fighting for is really worth it.

Lastly, I would say that one essential trait is being a dreamer. Dreaming allows you to see life differently, in a deeper way. Believing in something gives you direction and purpose, even when others don’t understand your path. It’s not always easy, but having a dream to believe in makes everything more meaningful.

To those just starting out on this journey, my advice is to be prepared for challenges and to face life’s storms with the awareness that they won’t last forever. Putting yourself out there is essential—it’s the only way to truly confront your fears and get closer to your dreams. It won’t always be easy, but it will always be worth it.

What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?

I think the most important thing my parents did for me was to give me an education based on strong and healthy principles. They always taught me to have goals in life, starting with the small things, and to see difficulties not as insurmountable obstacles but as opportunities to learn and grow. It’s up to us to choose how to face them: let them overwhelm us or use them to become stronger.

I remember that once, when I was facing a challenge in my life, my father told me: “This may seem like a problem, but it can also become your strength… turn a flaw into a quality.” That phrase stayed with me, and even today, it helps me see challenges from a different perspective.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frank.zanella?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frank-zanella-549151296?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
• Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm15361342/