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)
K. Page Stuart Valdes
K.Page Stuart Valdes is an award winning filmmaker, writer, musician and educator whose work explores tensions between power, culture, and the capacity of the human voice to effect change. Learn more at kpsvaldes.net.
Related Posts
NYWIFT at Sundance: In Conversation with Louis E. Perego Moreno
For NYWIFT Member Louis E. Perego Moreno and the team behind TheyDream, the road to the 2026 Sundance Film Festival was 18 years long. The feature documentary is a deeply personal tale from Writer, Director, Producer, DP, Animator, Editor and fellow NYWIFT Member William D. Cabellero. After 20 years of chronicling his Puerto Rican family, Cabellero and his mother face devastating losses. Through tears and laughter, they craft animations that bring their loved ones back to life, discovering that every act of creation is also an act of letting go. Consulting Producer Moreno has been with the project since it started as a short film nearly two decades ago. And there is extra sweetness to the team’s Sundance success: TheyDream, which debuted in the Next category, won the NEXT Special Jury Award for Creative Expression. He spoke to us about TheyDream’s journey to Park City and its timely cultural message.
READ MOREMeet the New NYWIFT Member: Ginelle Bamfo
Welcome to NYWIFT, Ginelle Bamfo! Ginelle is a talented young filmmaker and recent graduate from NYU Tisch’s Film and TV school. With a background in acting and theater, Ginelle has expanded her creative pursuits into many realms of the filmmaking industry. Having won NYU’s Best Undergraduate Film award for her project Talk Yo’ Shit, her talents and ambitions have quickly proven worthwhile. Ginelle is a staunch advocate of amplifying diverse voices. Her role as President of The Collective at NYU – a club which connects and highlights the work of Black students – is only one example of her commitment to this goal. Ginelle is a flexible and dynamic creative, drawing inspiration from ever-evolving sources. Always excited to learn and collaborate, she is an exciting addition to the entertainment industry. In our interview, Ginelle discusses what her journey to filmmaking has looked like and her current artistic ambitions.
READ MORENYWIFT at Sundance: In Conversation with Carolyn Hepburn
NYWIFT Member producer Carolyn Hepburn attended the 2026 Sundance Film Festival with her latest project with EPSN Films, The Brittney Griner Story. This documentary, directed by Alexandria Stapleton, explores the circumstances that led to Brittney Griner playing basketball outside the U.S. despite being one of the best players in the sport, including her harrowing detainment, unwavering determination to secure her freedom, and her advocacy for the release of other wrongful detainees. Carolyn Hepburn is an Emmy, Peabody, Gotham, and Critics’ Choice Award-winning producer who joined ESPN Films in 2022. She spoke to us about her return to Sundance, the power of her latest doc, and the ethical responsibilities of producing socially impactful work.
READ MOREMeet the New NYWIFT Member: Trish Appello
Welcome to NYWIFT, Trish Appello! For Trish Appello, turning 55 sparked a bold new chapter. The executive producer of the comedic series The EffYou 50s proudly declared, “I can thrive at 55,” and from that moment, her journey into the independent film and television world began. Appello recognized the importance of on-set experience and chose to pursue an educational path, enrolling in the UCLA Extension independent film-producing certificate program. Upon graduation, Appello realized it was time to tell the story that had lived inside her for almost two decades. Appello spoke to us about her career transition, finding her writing voice, and what she is currently working on.
READ MORE
Comments are closed