NYWIFT Blog

By K. Page Stuart Valdes

Welcome to NYWIFT, Courtney DeStefano!

Courtney grew up in a small town, where she spent hours devouring old movies and pouring through every indie-film magazine she could get her hands on. She graduated with a BFA in Film & Television from NYU Tisch School of the Arts before embarking on her editing career where she worked with clients like CBS, Bravo, Showtime, BET, NatGeo, Discovery & TLC.

She’s spent the last several years dividing her time between chasing after her three young sons and hiding in her home office to write.

Her work has been recognized by the Los Angeles International Screenplay Awards, PANO Network, Hollyshorts and the PAGE Awards, among others.

In our interview, Courtney discussed her small-town inspirations, how editing informs her writing and directing, and her latest short film.   

NYWIFT Member Courtney DeStefano

What brought you to NYWIFT?

I’ve been seeking a deeper connection to a creative community—specifically one that uplifts and champions women in the industry. NYWIFT felt like the perfect place to find inspiration, mentorship, and camaraderie with others navigating similar paths.

How has your small-town upbringing influenced your work as a filmmaker?

Growing up in a small town, film was my window to a bigger world. It opened up connections to parts of myself that I didn’t regularly see in the world around me. As a filmmaker I want to offer that same feeling of connection and catharsis to others.

Courtney on set

How does your work as an editor support the way you envision your own work?

My 20 years as an editor has made me a better writer and a better storyteller overall. I was really drawn to editing in college because it’s where the story truly comes together.

It’s not just about connecting pieces of video; it’s about reshaping and molding the narrative, using things like pacing and performance to determine how the audience experiences the story. 

Those instincts now inform every step of my process, whether I’m writing a script, directing a scene, or planning coverage. I know what I’ll want in the edit and, just as importantly, what I won’t need.

Courtney on set

How does your life as a mother influence your work as a filmmaker?

It influences everything – from the logistics of balancing my schedule, to the themes I’m drawn to exploring in my work. The cyclical nature of parenthood, and the way patterns echo across generations, was a central theme in the short film I just completed. It’s deepened my empathy and sharpened my lens as a storyteller.

What is the best filmmaking advice you ever received?

I once read a quote that I think was attributed to Tarantino that was along the lines of “Make it personal enough that you feel uncomfortable sharing it,” and I think that’s great advice.

If you aren’t digging deep to access something personal, you are missing an opportunity to connect with an audience. It reminds me of James Joyce’s idea that “in the particular is contained the universal.” When you tap into something deeply specific, it often resonates the most widely.

Still from Bench Seats

What projects are you currently working on?

I recently locked picture on Bench Seats, a 15-minute short about Dani, a woman at an emotional crossroads after a fight with her wife. A song on the radio sends her spiraling back to the summer of 1989, riding shotgun in her mom’s oversized Buick in the wake of her parents’ divorce.

Through a series of nostalgic vignettes, we see young Dani’s world unfold and transform as she grapples with change, independence, and the weight of unspoken worries. I’m currently submitting the film to festivals and working on the treatment for a feature version.

Since our interview, Bench Seats screened at the Imagine This Women’s International Film Festival in September 2025.

Learn more about Courtney DeStefano’s work on her website www.courtneyjoydestefano.com  and connect with her on Instagram at @courtneyjoydestefano.

(all images courtesy of Courtney DeStefano)