I am Arianna a.k.a. Aloha Arianna. I got drawn to watching films after enduring a brain injury. It was nice to be able to travel the world and meet new people from the comfort of my home. Characters became friends and movies made me feel like I was not missing out on the world around me. They kept me going during a hard time.
Now, years later, I enjoy learning about the industry, traveling when my health allows, writing screenplays and poems, and coming up with weird, yet acutely accurate metaphors.
If any of that sounds vaguely interesting, then maybe you are in the right place.
My experience:
I have been on the film screening committee for 7 film festivals, including San Diego International Film Festival and Nashville Film Festival. I have also attended and/or assisted at over 6 festivals on the East Coast, including the Woodstock Film Festival and Westfield International Film Festival. I helped at venues, press, and filming interviews. Additionally, I interned at VOB Film Festival and Montclair Film Festival.
I also write short films and have a feature in development. I am the published author of the poem collection, Earthly Thoughts, available on Amazon. If you want to learn more about me, feel free to check out my personal website.
My Goals:
- I want to be a part of teams that shine light on often overlooked perspectives.
- I aim to write stories that bring people together, evoke emotions that were once sheltered, and help foster laughter, empathy, and optimism.
- I want to continue meeting people who share the same passions as I do, and support one another while pursuing our respective and collaborative goals.
- My overall goal is to be happy and help others find happiness, too.
Who is Aloha Arianna?
Great question. I went on a trip to Hawaii and it changed my life. That might sound dramatic, but it is true. I was recovering from a concussion when I pushed myself way beyond my comfort zone to go to Maui with some family and friends. I found good people and beauty everywhere.
The experience made me realize that happiness can be found even with my long term health struggles. My pain would not keep me from my goals, I just had to persevere, not give up, and find my own way.
Years later, I am still not 100% better, but miles better than I was. Hawaii changed my life. It helped me find me again. It made me realize that my pain did not define me, I did. “Aloha Arianna” was born. Saying hi to my new self.
P.S. My favorite movie is Princess Diaries (2001), my favorite actor changes constantly (it’s currently Taron Egerton), and I enjoy writers/directors that tell witty and empathetic tales.
My Timeline:
2018
I fell in love with film. It helped me heal from a concussion that kept me homebound for years. Yet, I chose to keep my big dreams a secret because I was worried what others would think.
2019
I realized that film is my passion. I could not escape my creativity. I went to film festivals and taught myself everything I could.
2020
Full force ahead. Having fun along the way. Creating as much as I could: YouTube, Instagram, blogging, internships, helping at film festivals, etc.
2021
I got Covid-19 before vaccines were widely avaliable, then I got Long Covid. Since then, I have been dealing with severe brain fog, dizziness, confusion, numbness, tingling, etc.
2022
I discovered that after contracting Covid-19 my brain inflammation increased. The virus targeted my body’s weakness, my past brain injury. I am still in recovery.
2023
I continue to educate myself on my condition and am trying to regain my strength and endurance.
Aloha Arianna 