NYWIFT Blog

By Mariana Valencia

Welcome to NYWIFT, Sher Bautista! 

Sher Bautista grew up as a third culture kid in the Middle East and the Philippines. Her work centers on themes of identity, memory, and migration. She co-produced the award-winning feature Delia and Sammy which went on to screen at international festivals including Austin, All Lights, Ortigia, and Hanoi. 

She co-wrote the series The Boston: A Kitchen Musical and later directed Commune, which became a finalist at Tropfest 2015. Aside from her film projects, she is also a published author, having co-written the children’s book Tasha and Pierre.

She has just completed her MFA in Film and her thesis, Tales My Father Told.

In our interview, Sher discusses her leap to the film world, recent collaborations, and how her international upbringing impacted her creative work. 

New NYWIFT Member Sher Bautista

Could you give our readers a brief introduction to yourself? 

I’m a filmmaker and a third culture kid, having grown up in the Philippines, the Middle East, and New York. About eighteen years ago, I left my day job to attend film school — a decision I’ve never regretted. I recently completed my MFA in Film, which I’m incredibly proud of.

My first feature as a producer was Delia and Sammy, directed by Therese Cayaba, an award-winning filmmaker and fellow NYWIFT member. Over the past eight months, she’s returned the favor, producing my short film Tales My Father Told.

NYWIFT Member Sher on set

What brought you to NYWIFT? 

NYWIFT has been on my radar for a while, and I’d always hoped to join. My friend Therese became a member last year, and through that connection, we secured fiscal sponsorship for my short film. This year, I was awarded membership as part of my graduate thesis film prize — so it feels like things came full circle. I’m looking forward to attending more events and connecting with other female filmmakers in the community.

Sher behind the scenes with crew.

What aspects of your life and background have motivated you to pursue filmmaking?

I’ve always loved cinema, but a career in art was never really on the table growing up — I come from a family of engineers and nurses, and my first degree was actually in business studies. So getting to finally work in the world of film feels like a dream come true. I think growing up across several countries also shaped this path in its own way; being exposed to so many different cultures as a kid fueled my fascination with people and their stories.

Funny enough, even though I secretly always loved the film world, I never really thought I could actually be a filmmaker — I just wanted to take a short break from work to try a screenwriting course. That “break” turned into a full film diploma, and I haven’t looked back since.

What characteristics of filmmaking made you gravitate to this career path? 

What draws me in is watching a vision come to life on screen — whether it’s mine or someone else’s. There’s something magical about the whole arc of it: an idea takes hold, you spend weeks or months shaping it into a script, and then suddenly you’re sitting around a table with a team, all working together to actually make it happen.

I’ve worked my way through nearly every department over the years — from PA work to set dressing to acting, and eventually to writing and directing. The past decade or so has been mostly producing and writing for other projects. Whenever I get time away from commissioned work, I put it toward my own passion projects or help friends with theirs. At the core of it, what keeps me hooked is the collaboration — filmmaking just isn’t something you do alone, and I love that.

What is the most fulfilling aspect of your journey in filmmaking? 

There’s nothing quite like reaching the end of a shoot and watching everyone’s work come together in the final edit — that’s what keeps me going back for more. But just as fulfilling is sharing the finished film with an audience — opening them up to lives and stories they may never have been exposed to otherwise, and hopefully, in the process, making people feel seen. That connection is really the whole point.

NYWIFT Member Sher Bautista.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far in your career? 

You can’t make films alone, and you can’t give up — but just as important, you have to be kind. I’ve always tried to treat everyone I work with respectfully, no matter their position on set, and to model that for younger PAs just starting out, especially in my time as a set producer.

What project(s) are you currently working on that our readers should be on the lookout for? 

I’m writing a dark comedy short series, and I’m also in the research phase for a documentary about a veteran New York filmmaker known for his feel-good stories. On top of that, I’m currently on the lookout for editors to collaborate with — so if that’s you, let’s talk!

Connect with Sher Bautista on Instagram at  @talesmyfathertoldfilm and check out her IMDB at to learn more about her projects. 

(All images courtesy of Sher Bautista)