Mona, a 2013 graduate of BCIS, has never followed a conventional path. Instead, she has constantly engaged in self-reflection, exploration, and growth. From BCIS classrooms to USC’s School of Cinematic Arts, from a creative manager at Netflix to an independent filmmaker, she has been searching for the path that feels right for her. She tells stories through film while navigating real-life challenges, making passion her guiding force.

At 11 years old, Mona visited a family friend’s home in the U.S. and was mesmerized by a wall filled with DVDs. In that moment, she fell in love with film. She dreamed of working in the industry, but as schoolwork became more demanding, her passion was pushed aside. That is, until a short film assignment at BCIS reignited her love for storytelling.

With a camera in hand, she captured moments around campus. Editing the footage, she felt an undeniable spark—this was what she truly wanted to do.

Determined to pursue this passion, she enrolled at the University of Southern California. Initially, she took a safer route, only minoring in film. But during her first class, when a professor passionately analyzed Citizen Kane, she recalled a lesson from BCIS: "Real choices require confronting yourself." That night, she submitted her application to transfer majors. No longer torn between practicality and passion, she fully committed to studying film theory and criticism.

After graduating, Mona landed a job at Netflix as a creative manager. The fast-paced environment was overwhelming at first, and surrounded by talented colleagues, she often questioned herself. But soon, she found her rhythm, overseeing projects in the original documentary department. To Mona, storytelling is the heart of filmmaking—and of life itself. “Everyone should learn to tell a good story,” she says. Netflix was a great learning experience, but deep down, she longed for creative freedom—to tell the stories she truly cared about.

In 2020, while working remotely, she stared at a screen full of meeting notifications and felt exhausted. “I missed real human interactions, the energy of collaborating in person.” She took a step back to reflect: What truly mattered to her? After weighing her ambitions against financial security, she made a bold decision—she quit her job, moved to a small island in Hawaii, and became an independent documentary filmmaker. Now, she splits her time between Los Angeles and Hawaii, surfing by day and editing films about cultural identity by night.

Looking back, Mona credits BCIS for fostering her independent thinking. The school’s open and diverse learning environment helped her develop critical analysis skills, which became invaluable in her filmmaking career.

She recalls her history classes, where teachers challenged students to evaluate sources and question narratives. This taught her that history can be told from different perspectives—an insight that shaped her approach to documentaries. Her goal is to capture authentic stories and give voice to those often overlooked.

For Mona, “The world isn’t just something you read about; it’s something you experience.” BCIS gave her the courage to step outside her comfort zone. Instead of following the crowd in college, she applied for an exchange program at the University of Cape Town. There, she went bungee jumping, skydiving, and explored the Apartheid Museum. The experience broadened her worldview, helping her bring a more inclusive and nuanced perspective to her work.

Mona has learned that life doesn’t come with a standard script. Every decision is an opportunity for self-discovery. Today, she continues writing her own story—on her own terms—one frame at a time.