We recently connected with Gabriel Alexis and have shared our conversation below.
Gabriel , so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
I found my purpose through my love for cameras and movies, a passion that began in my childhood. One of my favorite memories was spending hours at the DVD store, choosing movies to watch with my grandfather.
On holidays like Christmas and New Year’s, I’d borrow my aunt’s camera to document family moments—capturing their joy and asking them questions about life. It felt deeply meaningful to preserve those moments, and I genuinely loved every second of it.
As a teenager, I joined a nonprofit called the Educational Video Center, starting as an intern transcribing videos. When I discovered their filmmaking program for high school students, I couldn’t wait to get involved. They told me I could join if I volunteered, and I jumped at the opportunity. That experience ignited my love for filmmaking. I learned video editing, the art of storytelling, and how to produce a documentary. By the end of the program, I knew I had found my true calling.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I’m a producer and the founder of Learn Filmmaking Network (LFN), a global platform where creators can learn filmmaking, get discovered, and network with one another.
In 2018, I founded Learn Filmmaking Network (LFN) because I believe in the power of community. It’s invaluable to be surrounded by people you can learn from and be inspired by. When I couldn’t find that space for myself, I took the leap to build one—empowering others along the way to learn, create, and thrive together. Within just a few months, the community grew far beyond my expectations. By 2020, it had reached 500,000 people, and today, LFN has over one million creators from all around the world.
I’m grateful to lead this platform because, every day, I have the opportunity to change someone’s life. I help creators, filmmakers, actors, and artists be heard and seen by millions of people. My biggest mission in life is to give back and create opportunities for others—whether through resources, mentorship, or events.
Along the way, I’ve worked on projects such as Marvel’s The Punisher TV series, as well as various commercials and films, which have given me valuable on-set experience and connections in the industry. I’ve also had the honor of interviewing renowned filmmakers, including actor and director Zach Braff (Scrubs, Garden State, A Good Person) and cinematographer Lawrence Sher (Joker, The Hangover), who have generously shared their experience with the community.
Currently, my team and I are working on several special projects to provide more resources to emerging creators. One exciting project is an upcoming event we’re hosting in partnership with the Motion Picture Association and the Governor’s Office of Motion Picture & Television Development, called the New York State Multicultural Creativity Summit. Co-hosted by major studios including NBCUniversal, Netflix, Paramount, Prime Video & Amazon MGM Studios, Sony Pictures Entertainment, The Walt Disney Company, and Warner Bros. Discovery, this summit aims to provide diverse content creators with a roadmap to navigate the film, television, and streaming industry.
At the heart of everything I do is a love for community-building. Helping others succeed in their creative journeys is what drives me every day.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey?
Being a good person: This may seem simple, but being genuine and kind can take you far in life. It’s important to help others and create meaningful connections.
Perseverance and self-belief: If you have a dream, pursue it with everything you’ve got. Don’t let anyone, not even family, tell you that you can’t achieve something. The path won’t always be easy, especially as a filmmaker, but it’s worth it.
Patience and preparation: Everyone’s journey is different, and things don’t happen overnight. You need to be patient and always be ready when an opportunity presents itself. Working on yourself is as important as working on your craft.
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?
Be genuine: Focus on building good relationships by being kind and sincere. People will remember how you make them feel, and that can open doors for you in ways you might not expect.
Chase your dreams: Don’t let doubt, fear, or others’ opinions stop you from following your passion. Believe in yourself and your abilities. It won’t be an easy path, but perseverance and self-confidence are critical.
Opportunities come when you least expect them. Make sure you’re constantly improving your skills and knowledge so that when the moment comes, you’re ready. Remember, it’s a unique journey—stay true to yourself, work hard on your personal growth, and never stop learning.
Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
God has helped me so much in overcoming challenges, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without Him. I’m truly grateful to have Him in my life. Whenever things seem to go wrong, I now understand He’s just protecting me. I’ve learned that failure is simply a lesson we can all grow from. God has been so good to me, always there when I need Him. Everything I have is because of Him.
I’m also deeply grateful to God for giving me a beautiful mother who’s still with me, and for my grandmother, who has passed away. They both believed in me and gave me everything. My mom is one of the most incredible people in my life. I do everything for her because I want her to have a better life. She believes in my wild ideas—even when it’s hard—because she knows that great things take time.
I’m also thankful for the amazing people I’ve met throughout the years while building LFN. I want to give a special shout-out to Berny Echeverria, Bryan Wolfinger, Kris Truini, Christian Anaid, David Hudson, John Gibson, Calixto Chinchilla, Jessica Lopez, Justin Wu, and a few others who have believed in me and the Learn Filmmaking Network. I truly appreciate all their love and support!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com//learnfilmmaking
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/learnfilmmakingnetwork
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/learnfilmmaking
Image Credits
Photographer Kristoffer Tripplaar (New York State Multicultural Creativity Summit 2024)
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
