I’ve gotten to know Monica pretty well over the years, in large part, due to what I now recognize as her incredible passion for all things filmmaking and an unrelenting hustle to make her dreams a reality. During her years of eligibility with All American, I seemed to run into Monica everywhere - conventions in various states around the country, during traveling roadshow presentations that were hours away from her home, and in the plethora of projects she submitted (although behind the camera, she was undeniably in those too) - her bubbling enthusiasm and humble eagerness, ever-present reminders of her willingness, her need, to pursue her passion with every ounce of her being. But even more importantly, her presence left its mark - Monica is one of the most amiable, sincere and genuine young artists I have encountered - she possesses a gravity that draws others into her warm and welcoming orbit and these same qualities permeate her films. Monica’s admirable work ethic was illuminated by the sheer volume of quality films she created. Each film, regardless of genre, offered a glimpse into her insatiable curiosity of the teen experience, the inevitable rollercoaster of transformative milestones, and the abundant emotions such experiences produce. Her film “Carhop” winner of Best Comedy in 2017, cemented her status as a filmmaker on the rise for its ability to portray an authentic, delightfully flawed female protagonist brimming with the kind of gravitational pull we’ve come to expect from Monica’s characters. If you don’t watch this film with a smile on your face and a warmth in your heart… you best check your pulse! In Monica’s work, female characters are front and center but not without raw, honest, and often heartbreaking flaws. This purposeful imbalance is perhaps Monica’s greatest strength as a writer and director - young women so real, so openly exposed in strength and weakness, that they are able to communicate the kind of soaring realism viewers can’t help but be pulled into - again, a sense of unmistakable gravity. Her nominated films from 2018 “Eden” and “The Ultimate Survival Of Richman Highs Local Losers” both simmer with common themes in Monica’s work - the weight of familial responsibility, young women coming of age, the darker side of the high school experience, and of course, the awkwardness and virtue of young love. Watching Monica’s unique but universal stories is a lot like being around her in person - regardless of where the journey takes you along the way, you get swept up in the power of positivity, and are left better for the opportunity. For more info: https://www.instagram.com/matutemonica/ --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/futureoffilm/support