NYWIFT Blog

By Farah Qureshi

Welcome to NYWIFT, Christina Brennan!

Christina is a New York–based filmmaker whose work explores the emotional complexity of young womanhood through bold, conversation-driven storytelling. She is particularly drawn to dystopian, psychological thriller, and comedy genres, often blending tension and humor.

As a recent graduate, she made her directorial debut with the short film Dear Nora, which won first place at AGBO’s No Sleep ’Til Film Festival—marking an exciting start to her creative career.

In addition to her work behind the camera, Christina is the founder of Onore Films, a community dedicated to supporting and connecting young women in film through collaboration and shared resources. With experience across multiple areas of production, she approaches filmmaking as both a creative practice and a way to foster meaningful connection.

In our interview, Christina discussed her journey into filmmaking, the inspiration behind Dear Nora, and her passion for building community among emerging women in film.

NYWIFT Member Christina Brennan

Welcome to NYWIFT! Could you give our readers a brief introduction to yourself?

Hi! My name is Christina Brennan, and I’m a New York–based filmmaker. During my senior year of college, I moved to New York because I wanted to challenge and immerse myself in the industry. I spent a year interning as a Production and Teaching Assistant at Stonestreet Studios NYU, where I gained hands-on, on-set experience and worked closely with students and industry professionals. 

I trained as an actor before moving behind the camera as a director, where I discovered my passion for storytelling through filmmaking. My directorial debut short film, Dear Nora, was fully executed in 48 hours and went on to win first place at AGBO’s No Sleep ’Til Film Festival. 

I’m also the founder of Onore Films, a community focused on connecting and supporting young women in film through shared resources and collaboration. As I continue developing my own projects, I’m eager to collaborate on larger-scale productions and gain experience across creative departments, including production design, producing, and social media marketing. 

What brought you to NYWIFT?

I first discovered NYWIFT while looking for resources and community as I navigate the early stages of my career. I was especially interested in finding spaces where mentorship and collaboration were encouraged, and NYWIFT felt like a great fit for that. I reached out last year to introduce myself and share a bit about my work [and] what I was building, and was encouraged to apply!

Christina Brennan on set

What initially drew you to directing and storytelling behind the camera?

I recently found a “script” that I must have written when I was seven or eight years old, which was a funny reminder that storytelling has always been part of my life.

One story my parents always tell is that I would send my little brother out to gather the neighborhood kids because I was too nervous to do it myself. Once everyone was there, though, I naturally stepped into the role of “directing” the group. We’d put on shows or film little movies together. Looking back, I realize I’ve always been drawn to organizing ideas and bringing people together to create something, and directing allows me to channel that same creative energy.

During college, I took a production class with a teacher who was incredibly influential for me. He introduced me to the technical and collaborative side of filmmaking, and that experience really sparked my interest in what happens behind the camera.

Christina Brennan on set

Congratulations on Dear Nora winning first place at AGBO’s Global Short Film Festival! What inspired the film, and what did the experience of directing it mean to you?

Thank you! Dear Nora was fully created in 48 hours. The prompt was “unlikely alliances or connections between incompatible beings.” The first thing I thought of when I read that was… myself! My inner critic is something I battle the most. I’ve always had a bank of film ideas, and one theme I wanted to explore was growing up with anxiety, especially as an athlete. This prompt felt like the perfect opportunity to finally write that story.

I always say that if you had asked me who the film was about while we were making it, I probably would have said myself. But once the film reached a large audience, I started receiving messages from the closest people in my life, as well as complete strangers. They shared how much they felt similarly every day. I remember being so blown away, realizing that the way I had felt [for] the majority of my life was something so many other people experienced too.

This project completely changed the way I think about storytelling and how I will approach it for the rest of my life. I feel extremely grateful to have learned at the start of my career, there is a huge responsibility that comes with telling stories and crafting characters. Once a story is out in the world, it no longer belongs to just you! Filmmaking offers such a powerful opportunity for connection, and it’s incredibly important to remind people that they aren’t alone.

Dear Nora won first place at AGBO’s 2024 No Sleep ’til Film Festival

How do your experiences across filmmaking, acting, and digital content creation shape the way you approach storytelling?

I think those experiences all taught me that you don’t have to wait for permission to create. You can make your own work, and you’re responsible for teaching yourself the things you want to learn. 

Growing up as an athlete also shaped the way I work creatively. I spent most of my life on teams, and that mindset carries into filmmaking. I see storytelling as a collaborative process where everyone brings unique strengths to the table. Being able to listen, adapt, and build something with a team is a huge part of how I approach directing and any creative work.

Why is building a supportive community for emerging women in film important to you?

I think this industry can often feel daunting and inaccessible, especially when you’re first starting out. In high school, I was encouraged by an academic counselor to pursue a career that was stable and paid the bills, and to keep creative work as a hobby. At 18, it felt impossible not to listen to that. So, I went to college and initially majored in Exercise Science.

I remember having a conversation with my parents, who are incredibly supportive, where I realized I was on the wrong path. I think a lot of people receive the same advice I did, and for many young women, pursuing a creative career can feel isolating, difficult to navigate, and sometimes even impossible.

At the same time, it’s also an incredibly exciting field with so much opportunity. As someone just starting out, building a community felt like a way to hold on to that excitement and focus on the positive. I also wanted it to be a space where I could document my own experience and the projects I was working on, in the hope that others might see themselves in that journey and feel less alone or more inspired in pursuing their own path.

Christina Brennan at the Tribeca Storytelling Summit

Looking ahead, what kinds of projects are you most excited to explore next?

I’m currently developing a dystopian pilot that explores themes around healthcare and technology. I’m excited to continue building that project and finding collaborators who are interested in bringing it to life. The story touches on themes that feel incredibly relevant today and allows us to explore them through a different lens.

Alongside that, I’m eager to gain more experience working on larger productions in New York. I’d love to contribute as a production assistant, particularly in the office or art department, where I can continue learning and growing while collaborating with experienced teams!

Connect with Christina Brennan and Onore Films on Instagram at @_christinabrennan and @onorefilms, and read more about her path and Dear Nora on AGBOVERSE.

(All images courtesy of Christina Brennan)