Sofia Parisotto

Fulbright Lancaster University Summer Institute

Sofia Francesca Parisotto is a Film and Television Production major at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. Raised in Santa Barbara and Oakland, her passion for visual storytelling took root through the Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) and a lifelong love of classic cinema.

Sofia has built an impressive early filmmaking career. Her short film Happy Trails (2024) premiered at SBIFF and received the Best Screenplay Award from a jury of industry professionals. She was selected twice for SBIFF's competitive 10-10-10 mentorship program and has directed two additional independent shorts, each earning international festival recognition and accolades for her work as a rising female director. She has also interned with SBIFF's educational outreach and Cinema Society departments.

At LMU, Sofia serves as Vice President of the Residence Hall Association and sits on the board of the Lion Production Company, a student-led collaborative that funds and mentors non-academic film projects. At Lancaster University, she looks forward to deepening her craft, expanding her understanding of international cinema, and connecting with fellow filmmakers from around the world.