"Higher Education" is a story born from the chaotic beauty of young adulthood and examines the complexity of human interactions. I believe the years between 18 and 22 are some of the most pivotal in a person’s life. They are marked by a series of firsts—your first heartbreak, first drink, first party, first relationship, first falling out, and, for many, your first encounter with illness, injustice, racism, violence, assault, politics, class systems, and socioeconomic failures. These are the experiences that shape us. They accelerate growth, stunt it, or reroute the path we thought we were on.

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As the creator on this team, this was my first time truly understanding the legion of moving parts that must align to bring a film to life. I began collaborating with Mason, our on-set director, in early February, and by the end of March, we had cameras down—wrapping principal photography the first week of April. In that whirlwind of time, I wrote four drafts of the script, scouted a myriad of locations, handled casting, led production design, and even managed catering. I interviewed crew members for roles I had only just learned the names of, and immersed myself in every stage of filmmaking—from pre-production to post.

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After countless hours in the editing bay and conversations with composers and colorists, I began to understand that while Higher Education is a story about Mia and Ryan’s friendship, it’s just as much the story of the people who made the film. This project tells the story of the frantic, late-night calls with my producer Mckenzie, the constant creative feedback loops with our editor and AD, the sound mixing sessions, the music selection process, and the endless coordinating, delegating, and scheduling.

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As my first filmmaking experience, I am incredibly proud that Higher Education reflects not just the narrative we set out to tell, but the process, the sweat, and the soul behind its creation. This film was made possible by a team that never said, “We can’t do that,” only, “How can we make that happen?” And over the course of its making, I learned in tandem with our characters that sometimes growth doesn’t look like perfection, but rather survival, adaptation, and transformation.