Still, she put on a positive facade, picking up odd jobs as a freelance film worker. Though it wasn’t what she had pictured herself doing after graduation, she persevered, waiting for an opportunity to arise. Her patience eventually paid off when she got a phone call from a production company, asking her to move to Italy and work for them. Without any knowledge of the Italian language or knowing anyone who lived in the country, she accepted the job.

“That day, I bought an Italian textbook and a plane ticket to Rome,” Mia reminisces. 

In Italy, she was able to learn more about the film industry and make connections that led her to where she is today. As the founder and President of Forest Path Productions, Mia champions diversity, equity, and inclusion, sharing stories that have often been ignored.

Most recently, she has been attached to the film Pretty Babies as an executive producer. The film will star Ashley Benson (Pretty Little Liars), Madelaine Petsch (Riverdale), Emily Alyn Lind (Gossip Girl), and Sadie Stanley (Kim Possible).

“We have a really wonderful script and a phenomenal cast,” Mia shares. “So, I’m super excited about that one.”

Next up, Mia is making her feature film debut as one of two lead producers on My Sundown, written by Erika Navarro and currently filming in the Niagara region. Her other upcoming projects include a feature film, Mary’s Monster, which is being shot in Italy, as well as a limited series and a horror franchise.

While Mia learned film theory in her university classes, she credits Shawnigan as the place where she gained much of her technical knowledge. Former teachers Ms. Kristen Turner and Mr. Neil Trafford, in particular, were both invaluable resources to Mia’s education.

“Mr. Trafford has been a phenomenal resource. He taught me a lot about editing camera work, the ways in which to think about storyboarding, and designing shoots strategically and Ms. Turner taught me so much about cameras, photography, and composition,” Mia explains. “So, I absolutely attribute the bulk of my technical knowledge to my time at Shawnigan.”

Although it’s been six years since Mia left the School, she still feels a strong sense of connection to the Shawnigan community and would love to mentor the next generation of Shawnigan filmmakers. 

“If there’s anyone looking to make headway into the film industry, to understand my path, to understand what their options might be, I would be more than happy to talk to them,” Mia says.

As for advice she has for Shawnigan students? “Say yes to things and take big swings!” Mia exclaims. “The real secret is that you have to be able to recognize an opportunity when you see one, and then you have to take a battering ram to it.”

So, when the call comes, whether it be from Italy or anywhere else, just say yes.