We were lucky to catch up with Mateo Coka recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Mateo, thank you for being such a positive, uplifting person. We’ve noticed that so many of the successful folks we’ve had the good fortune of connecting with have high levels of optimism and so we’d love to hear about your optimism and where you think it comes from.
My optimism is something that I really treasure and at times I view it like a sword. I have to share that my optimism is not just my own. At times, my mind and my heart become very weak, which makes life very difficult when troubles arise. I am a person of faith, it’s part of my story, and it is who I am. My optimism comes from trusting in God, knowing that He is in control, and is the provider of all things.
Since I was very little, I had so many struggles to overcome with very little reason to stay optimistic. I fought cancer three times throughout my childhood and it was very normal to feel hopeless. To feel unending pain, anxiety that terrorized me, depression that wore me down, all for what I saw was a monster that kept coming back again and again, it was Jesus that gave me strength, courage, and hope to endure. He gave me a family and team of doctors and nurses to keep me on solid ground. All I had to do was persevere, fight, and have hope.
Fighting cancer as a kid is a part of my story, and thankfully a thing of the past. I have encountered many other “monsters” and obstacles that have seriously challenged me. Though I always try to keep a smile on my face even while I’m scared — I know I am not alone. I know that there is a God who is with me at all times.
I strive to do the same as a storyteller, I want to equip others with strength, courage, and hope through the stories I tell. Right now, I am currently developing my first animated film about three kids fighting cancer. It’s been a long and hard process but I a motivated to make this film a reality for all the families that will be empowered by its story. I want to give them this story so that they can recognize the heroes they truly are. More so, I want to show them the priceless value and strength that they have even though they believe they’ve been stripped of it all through their treatment.
When we are overcome with fear, we must smile and laugh because life is still worth living even in our darkest moments. Optimism is faith, it’s a testament of trust. I, for one, trust in God who helps me smile every day. That optimism, a sword, pierces through the dark clouds and allows light to shine through.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
My name is Mateo Coka and I am a freelance filmmaker in Nashville, TN. As a storyteller, I want to equip others with strength, courage, and hope. I am currently working freelance as an editor, but I am also currently writing and developing my first animated feature.
During my fights with cancer, I was impacted by stories in film, TV, and video games of unlikely heroes overcoming impossible odds.
I studied Motion Pictures at Belmont University, and in 2019, I was a development intern at Robert Downey Jr.’s production company, Team Downey. After getting my feet wet in the filmmaking industry, I moved back to Nashville after the pandemic to hone my skills. The Nashville filmmaking community has been a true gift as I have made so many wonderful connections, memories, and friends these past 4 years.
In the past two years, I have been working closely with brands and organizations that are committed to supporting the fight against pediatric cancer. In 2023, I directed a social spot for Love Your Melon’s first Men’s apparel product. In 2024, I worked with Cookies for Kids Cancer and directed a social spot showcasing their story as a non-profit and their incredible impact. I have also directed music videos, live performances, and other promotional content for my sister, Domenica Coka, who is an incredibly talented singer and songwriter.
My ultimate goal is to direct consistently in various projects. My biggest project right now is my animated feature titled, “Unwavering.” It’s a story that I truly believe will help anyone who is overwhelmed by any type of struggle or “monster” that feels impossible to face, even cancer. It’s a story that currently inspires me and wish I had when I was younger. As I read the script, I feel as though someone else has written it. I believe it’s a testament of how powerful and alive these characters are and how grounded this story is. It’s a depiction of real life. I am very excited to share more hopefully later this year.
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?
I would say that my reliability, my optimism, and my perseverance are the most impactful qualities that have helped me on my journey. Filmmaking is an industry of community. It is not something that you can succeed or grow in alone. Being a reliable worker and friend is something that I always strive to be. I want everyone who knows me to trust that they can count on me. Doing your part, minimizing problems, and staying proactive is the best way to stay reliable. My optimism has also helped me during hard days at work on and off set and during droughts of work. It’s very easy to complain. It’s very easy to look at the apparent negatives that we have every right to be upset over. Though that doesn’t solve anything, staying positive and going above and beyond will help find a solution. I believe there is always a solution to every problem. Finally, perseverance is essential to me. It’s very easy to become desperate in a freelance career. Sometimes there is no work in sight and other times you can be stuck on a project. We must persevere and dare to try again and again. We must persevere and continue to reach out for possible leads to new work, and we must be patient with ourselves if we are ever stuck in a project. We must never give up. Continue knocking on every door that you see. Someone will answer. Be confident. Smile and laugh away every ounce of fear that paralyzes you. All of these qualities have helped me grow and learn new skills, and I want to stay that way.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
I am always looking for people to collaborate with. I love meeting new people, hearing their stories, and learning about their talents and passions. I truly want to continue to grow as a director, so I would love to connect and reconnect with those who are looking to share a compelling story in a collaborative and expressive way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mateocoka.carrd.co/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mateocoka/
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