Posted by Join host Olivia Lyle (@olivialyle1) for an exclusive conversation with film producer Sonia Lowe, founder of Solo Films and a longtime creative force in the film industry. Interview recorded by Kyle Reed (@thekylereed) during the 7th Annual Independent Shorts Awards at Regal LA Live, Los Angeles.
Supporting Filmmakers and Friends
Although not premiering a project at this year’s event, Sonia Lowe attended to support her friend, director Layne Marie Williams, whose film Wizdom went on to win Best Sci-Fi Short. She also highlighted Focal Point by Raphaël Buisson, which had its World Premiere at the festival, noting the overall strength of the lineup: “The level of creativity at these short films is unparalleled… it takes an incredible amount of skill to hit those story points in such a short format.”
Solo Films and Female POV Stories
Lowe is the founder of Solo Films, a boutique production and consulting company dedicated to female POV narratives and inclusive storytelling. She is currently developing Honeymoon as part of a slate of female-driven projects and hopes to present it at the festival next year.
For Lowe, this step marks a new chapter. Having worked in the industry for more than a decade — including five years in distribution, buying, selling, and pitching films — she also produced two feature films, one of which won an award at Tribeca in 2019. With Honeymoon, however, she explained that for the first time she is fully stepping into her own voice as a producer: “This is the first time I’ve ever actually used my own voice without just being a producer on it.”
The Value of Short Films
Beyond her own work, Lowe emphasized how short films have become increasingly vital to both audiences and filmmakers. “Short films are more prominent now. People prefer short form content, which is incredible news for emerging filmmakers because it gives people a chance to initiate their film journey with a short film. It’s always a great place to start.”
A Multi-Faceted Creative Journey
Before founding Solo Films, Lowe built a career across media, writing, and broadcast, interviewing celebrities, producing cultural content, and establishing herself as a storyteller across different platforms. Today, she channels that wide-ranging experience into film, championing projects that blend strong voices, emotional depth, and new perspectives.
Looking Ahead
With Honeymoon in development, Lowe hopes to return to the Independent Shorts Awards with her own project next year. For now, she relished the chance to celebrate her peers — from Wizdom’s award-winning success to the world premiere of Focal Point — and reflected on how festivals create essential visibility for independent filmmakers. “Anything is possible nowadays — especially thanks to festivals like Independent Shorts Awards that create visibility for filmmakers.”
Enjoy the interview below.
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