Meet Hannah Forest Briand

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Hannah Forest Briand. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Hannah below.

Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Hannah with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?

My work ethic stems from my mom. I vividly remember sitting at my desk as a kid, erasing only the part of the word I messed up. She would then insist I erase the whole word and write it again. Some might think it’s a little intense (it is), but it was about doing things right, no matter how small—not cutting corners, but ensuring the whole word was done correctly. Even if my child brain and not-yet-controlled emotions would get frustrated with that -cue the tears- looking back, I’m grateful for those lessons.

School and life weren’t easy for me. I was never one of those kids who could ace a test without studying; I had to put in more hours than most—thanks to my learning disabilities. If I could have waved a magic wand as a kid, I would’ve changed that immediately. But goodness, I’m glad I didn’t have that magic wand. Those struggles taught me so much, equipping me with valuable skills, resilience, and the ability to problem-solve creatively—something a magic wand couldn’t do.

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?

As a kid, my favorite thing in the world was a wooden treasure chest filled with costumes. Every morning, I would go to it and pick out a fantasy (usually something pink and sparkly). I would become this character, knowing everything about them—their favorite dessert, their best friend, their struggles, all of it. I would invent, what felt like very real, scenarios that often involved a baby, a cheating scandal, a life-dependent mission, and, for some reason, a building on fire. Then, I would play, and this wasn’t for anyone—it was all for me. If my sister could join in, the fantasy expanded. It was even better.
My life now isn’t so different. I still explore stories and characters, and I find working with others to be like creative steroids. I deeply value my female friendships—I truly feel the women in my life are incredibly supportive and inspiring. Plus, I still really like the color pink.
In short, I’m a queer francophone artist—an actor, writer, and producer. Recently, I wrapped a role in a new Netflix show, I’m about to begin writing for a TV network, and I’m currently producing a short film called No Straight Lines to Heaven. Looking ahead, I’m eager to continue spreading my wings and stepping into directing.
I’ve been acting for a while now, but everything else—writing, producing, directing—feels fresh from a professional standpoint. A few years ago, I realized I needed to figure out what truly fulfills me beyond just acting and how I could build a life that reflects that. That’s when I understood that writing, producing, and directing were paths I wanted to pursue. I had stories to tell and ideas worth bringing to life. Now, I’m focusing on self-reflection, strengthening my voice, and refining my skills as I continue to explore these new creative avenues.

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?

For me, right now, the three most important qualities are collaboration, resilience, and curiosity.

Collaboration: While the industry can sometimes feel overly competitive, this mindset is ultimately unhelpful and harmful. Storytelling thrives on teamwork; instead of asking, “Who’s the best?” we should focus on “How can we best serve this story?”
Some may adopt a cutthroat mentality, but that doesn’t reflect the true spirit of creativity. I know this perspective might seem idealistic, but let’s be the change we want to see. Collaboration unlocks diverse talents and broadens our vision. Throughout my journey, I’ve been fortunate to connect with incredible people who uplift and inspire me. I strive to surround myself with the kind of energy I want to embody.

Resilience: Life will inevitably throw obstacles your way, but the key is how you respond. Never see yourself as a victim of circumstance—life comes from you, not at you. As William Ernest Henley writes (and as Timmy Chalamet likes to quote), “I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.” Seeing setbacks as part of the journey helps you learn and grow, turning challenges into opportunities for progress.

Curiosity: Here’s a not-so-well-kept secret: I don’t always know what I’m doing. And you know what? Most people don’t either. As for those who think they do—let’s not even go there. Now that this secret is out, let’s embrace that uncomfortable truth: we don’t know much at all about anything.
The worst part? The more we know, the less we realize we know. So, let’s keep being open and curious—about ourselves, about others, about stories, and about the world.

Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?

Lately, I’ve been trying to balance everything I want to pursue while wrestling with feelings of inadequacy. Despite all my hard work, moments of success—like acting on a major Netflix set or writing for a TV network—leave me questioning whether I truly deserve them and if I can actually pull them off.
When those opportunities come my way, they bring a sense of release but also feel strangely unfamiliar. I often imagine my dreams coming true, but I don’t see it as me. Instead, I picture a transformed version of myself, unburdened by my everyday struggles, like my bad back, my entertaining-but-crashfire love life, and my constant tummy aches. I thought I’d feel different with success, but I just feel like me, which makes it almost feel wrong, like a mistake.

Sometimes, I wonder if I fear success. What if I mess it all up? Or what if this is the top of the mountain instead of just the bottom of another? What if all my nightmares come true? Yes… what if?

To navigate these challenges, I focus on the fact that my worth isn’t solely tied to my achievements. I also try to engage with my feelings, even the negative ones, approaching each with curiosity and kindness. This practice helps me understand my responses and what they reveal about my journey.
Having supportive friends and fellow creatives makes a world of difference. Talking through my vulnerabilities with them brings clarity and reminds me I’m not alone. I see challenges as opportunities to grow, and while growing pains can feel tough, they often signal that I’m making progress.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @hannahlapetite
• Other: For acting you can join :
  Stephanie Bleakley at Amanda Rosenthal Talent Agency
  or
  Christine Filteau at Acte 1

  Otherwise you can ask “Bold Journey” for my email [email protected]