Interview with Our Director Christina Antonakos-Wallace at Human Rights Watch Film Fest 2020 (Press)

(Excerpted from the 2020 interview by Women and Hollywood)

In a recent interview with Women and Hollywood, director Christina Antonakos-Wallace shared the journey of making From Here, a documentary that follows four young artists and activists—Tania, Sonny, Miman, and Akim—as they navigate identity, belonging, and immigration in the U.S. and Germany. The film spans more than a decade, capturing not only their personal milestones but also political shifts that have reshaped immigration policies.

“From Here brings a global perspective to conversations around immigration that often remain very narrow,” Antonakos-Wallace explains. She chose these protagonists because of their unique perspectives on belonging. “Each of them had powerful insight into our national narratives of immigration and who does and doesn’t belong that I believe we need.”

The editing process was one of the film’s biggest challenges. With four protagonists from vastly different backgrounds, crafting a cohesive narrative required years of refinement. “It was incredibly complex to allow their plots to unfold—and honor the specifics of each story—but arrive at one arc that brought us to the question of belonging.” The team had to balance individual character depth with broader themes, ensuring audiences could emotionally connect.

Funding was another obstacle. As a first-time feature director without established industry backing, Antonakos-Wallace found securing grants and institutional support difficult. “We were almost all women working on the team, and at some point, I really started to notice how few women-led films were getting granted and awarded.” Instead, the film was made possible through crowdfunding, private donors—mostly women—and a dedicated team who contributed their time and passion. “Money is not what made this film happen—it was an incredible team in the U.S. and Germany who donated an incalculable amount of time and heart.”

Beyond the film industry’s structural barriers, Antonakos-Wallace also spoke about the importance of representation in filmmaking. She believes that real change requires not just diverse stories on screen, but a shift in who gets the opportunity to tell them. “If we want to see more diversity in who is leading our field, we need to give each other real opportunities. When there is money, spend it on hiring women and trans people, people of color, people with disabilities, queer people, mothers, etc.”

At its core, From Here is about shifting narratives around migration and identity. Antonakos-Wallace hopes audiences walk away with a deeper understanding of how interconnected we all are. “I want people to feel in their bodies the truth that all of us belong—and the desire to fight for that for themselves, their loved ones, and neighbors close and far.”

Read the full interview here.