Moroccan-born filmmaker and producer Soukaina Alaoui El Hassani joins Talent Freaks to talk about her journey from Casablanca to New York City, and how she turned bootleg sci‑fi nights and Zena Warrior Princess reenactments with her grandfather into a career as a commercial and indie storyteller. We dive into her early love of narrative, learning English through TV and film, and how Fordham and NYU gave her both the intellectual foundation and practical tools to tell stories responsibly.

Now a producer at Versus Creative Studio in NYC, Soukaina breaks down what a creative producer actually does—protecting the team, balancing client needs and budgets, and collaborating closely with directors and artists on editorial, OOH, 2D animation, and CG campaigns for major brands. She shares what makes the Versus culture different: ego‑free collaboration, every voice at the table, and treating every brief as an opportunity rather than a problem.

We also explore her independent work, including award‑winning shorts like "Fix," and her documentary "Children of Sin," and how her poetry and mythic writing practice help her turn difficult emotions into tools for self‑awareness and craft. Soukaina offers powerful insight on immigrant imposter syndrome, why the “smartest person in the room” is the most curious, and why she believes we all have more agency than we think.

If you’re a filmmaker, producer, or creative trying to balance commercial work, personal projects, and your own identity, this episode is packed with thoughtful, practical wisdom.

Connect with Soukaina:

• Website
• Instagram
• YouTube

Connect with Host Andy and Talent Freaks:

• 🌐 Website
• 📷 Instagram
• ▶️ YouTube
• 🎵 TikTok
• 🎙️ Apple Podcasts
• 🎧 Spotify

If you're a filmmaker or organization interested in donating gear or supporting this cause, reach out to me to coordinate.

Please Like, Subscribe, and Share to help these vital stories reach the world!

Chapters

00:00 The Smartest Person in the Room

00:17 Introducing Sona El Hassane

01:31 Sona's Journey from Casablanca to New York

01:57 Discovering a Passion for Storytelling

02:39 The Impact of Film and TV on Learning

03:36 From High School to Fordham University

04:16 Graduate School at NYU and Early Filmmaking

05:11 Challenges and Opportunities in Filmmaking

05:26 The Evolution of Film Communities

06:42 Influences from TV Shows and Films

08:42 Bootleg Films and Cultural Delays

09:48 The Role of Streaming Platforms

11:32 Writing and Expressing Through Substack

15:57 The Importance of Mentors and Community

17:17 Working at Versus Creative Studio

21:11 Creative Collaboration and Problem Solving

25:48 Family Support and Early Inspirations

32:50 Candid Advice for Immigrants

33:32 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

37:06 Festival Success and Indie Filmmaking

44:29 The Role of AI in Filmmaking

46:35 Challenges in Modern Production

52:09 Documentary Spotlight: Children of Sin

58:59 Final Thoughts and Future Plans

Join us on Talent Freaks for an exclusive conversation with Director Iryna Pravylo and Producer Yulia Zi about their powerful documentary Flowers Beyond the Dark. This deeply moving film portrays Ukraine's resilience amid war, revealing intimate stories of survival, hope, and strength from frontline soldiers, families, and spiritual leaders.

Watch the documentary journey unfold through stunning visuals, heartfelt testimonies, and a unique artistic perspective on the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Stay connected and support the journey:

• 📷 Instagram: Flowers Beyond the Dark
• Facebook: Flowers Beyond the Dark
• 🌐 Website: https://www.righttimestudios.com/

Connect with Host Andy and Talent Freaks:

• 🌐 Website: https://www.talentfreaks.com/
• 📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent.freaks/
• ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@talentfreaks
• 🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@talent.freaks
• 🎙️ Apple Podcasts: Talent Freaks on Apple
• 🎧 Spotify: Talent Freaks on Spotify

Support filmmakers telling powerful stories of courage and resilience. This documentary not only captures the human cost of war but also the enduring hope for peace and freedom in Ukraine.

If you're a filmmaker or organization interested in donating gear or supporting this cause, reach out to me to coordinate.

Please Like, Subscribe, and Share to help these vital stories reach the world!

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Setting the Scene

01:06 Diving into 'Flowers Beyond the Dark'

02:42 Meet the Director and Producer

04:13 Experiences at Carmel by the Sea

07:43 The Impact of the Documentary

09:21 The Making of the Documentary

16:20 Finding the Characters

26:46 The Role of Nova Ukraine

31:30 Personal Reflections and Challenges

38:12 Challenges of Filmmaking During War

38:27 Funding Struggles and Community Support

40:23 Cinematic Approach and Artistic Vision

46:25 Symbolism and Themes in the Documentary

50:45 Audience Reception and Character Insights

56:57 Future Plans and Distribution Challenges

01:01:41 Support for Ukrainian Filmmakers

01:13:35 The Spirit and Resilience of Ukraine

01:15:50 Final Thoughts and Call to Action