By Lexi Catalanello
Welcome to NYWIFT, Kaia Goudreau!
Kaia Goudreau is a filmmaker and photographer based in Brooklyn, New York. She studied filmmaking and writing at Sarah Lawrence College, cultivating a focus on stories that explore life’s in-between moments—aging, change, and quiet rituals.
Kaia is developing a short film slated for production later this year and collaborating with director Linda Yellen on features in development and casting. She has also contributed to creative projects in France and Ireland, expanding her visual lens.
Whether narrative or documentary, her work lingers on subtle moments that reveal depth and character.
In our interview, Kaia discusses her inspiration and background in filmmaking, as well as her exciting upcoming projects.
NYWIFT Member Kaia Goudreau
Could you please give our readers a brief introduction to yourself?
I’m a New York–based filmmaker working across narrative and documentary. I currently work in Development Coordination at Keckins Projects, where I’m involved in feature film projects from early development through production. I’ve also spent time working with Motto Pictures and Tiny Ark in Ireland on both documentary and commercial work.
Those experiences have really shaped how I think about storytelling—seeing how projects evolve from an initial idea into something fully realized. Alongside that, I write and direct my own films, which tend to focus on character-driven stories and the quieter, more intimate moments between people. I’m especially interested in what’s left unsaid and how emotion can live in those in-between spaces.
Kaia Goudreau on set
What brings you to NYWIFT?
I’m excited to be part of a community that supports and uplifts women in film and television. NYWIFT feels like a space where collaboration, mentorship, and creative exchange are genuinely encouraged. I’m looking forward to both learning from and contributing to that network as I continue to grow in my career.
Since much of your work focuses on the “quiet moments,” how did you find your filmmaking style and narrative voice?
A lot of it came from working across both documentary and narrative forms. In documentary, you learn to observe and wait for moments that aren’t staged, and that really shaped how I approach storytelling. I became more interested in what’s implied rather than what’s explicitly said—how pacing, framing, and performance can carry meaning. My narrative work reflects that influence, leaning into restraint and trusting the audience to engage with those quieter, in-between moments.
Kaia Goudreau on set
What originally drew you to filmmaking?
My dad introduced me to filmmaking at a really young age. I grew up sitting in his editing studio, watching footage come together piece by piece, and being fascinated by the process. As a visual learner, it felt almost magical—that you could take something raw and shape it into a story with rhythm, emotion, and meaning.
I think that’s where it started for me—the realization that film could bring something intangible to life. It made storytelling feel physical, something you could build and feel, not just imagine. That early exposure stayed with me, and over time, it naturally turned into something I wanted to pursue myself.
Kaia Goudreau on set
Do you have any upcoming work that you can tell us about?
I’m currently working on a short film script that I hope to direct later this year! I’ve also been supporting the development and production of a few feature projects with director Linda Yellen, which are in various stages of development and casting.
Connect with Kaia Goudreau on Instagram @bluzenbits or view her work on her website www.kaiablue.com
(All images courtesy of Kaia Goudreau)
Lexi Catalanello
Lexi Catalanello is a current intern at NYWIFT. She’s a recent graduate of NYU with a degree in Media, Culture, and Communication, and she’s an aspiring filmmaker and producer. She’s worked on several short films, and loves watching movies, writing, and cooking.
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