Camila Barandearan’s passion for storytelling and creative expression has led her to achieve remarkable milestones in her career as a filmmaker. Her first and award-winning short film “Where We Go Next” is a story about a woman struggling with grief that takes place in a world where angels of death guide peoples souls.
A graduate of IE University’s Bachelor in Communication & Digital Media, Camila began to explore her interest in audiovisual production from the very beginning of her studies. We sat down with her to learn about her creative process, the obstacles she faced while filming award-winning short film “Where We Go Next” and her upcoming projects.
Q: What inspired your award-winning short film “Where We Go Next”?
A: The inspiration came from personal experiences and uncertainties I felt in my fourth year at IE. At the time, I was unsure about my future and felt lost, which was a central theme in the film. I also drew from the loss of my grandmother, the closest person I’ve experienced passing away. These emotions shaped the story, making it sincere and personal.
Q: How did you balance writing, directing and editing your first original short film?
A: The writing process was systematic. My video production professor encouraged me to test ideas through loglines before fully developing them. My initial idea was about someone walking and talking with death, which I then transformed into a script. I also researched storytelling frameworks like the Hero’s Journey and Save the Cat to create a clear structure.
Balancing everything was challenging but rewarding. I wanted to edit, so I needed to handle every step beforehand—writing, casting, and directing. While I worked alone during the initial phases, I had an incredible team for production. Collaboration was key to making the project successful.
Q: You’ve worked on projects ranging from professional videos for organizations like TEDx to creative pieces like short films and podcasts. How do you adapt your creative process to such diverse projects?
A: My creative process varies depending on the project. Fiction projects require extensive pre-production, including detailed planning and frame-by-frame visualization. For promotional videos or interviews, the focus is more on finding rhythm during editing.
For interviews, I plan the camera placement and questions beforehand to create a comfortable environment for the subject. In editing, I shape a compelling story from the footage. For fiction or advertising, where the content is shorter, every detail is planned in advance.
Regardless of the project type, I emphasize preparation, collaboration, and creating a positive atmosphere. Making people—whether interview subjects or actors—feel at ease is essential to achieving the best results.
Q: What were the biggest challenges you faced during the production of “Where We Go Next”? How did you overcome them?
A: One of the biggest challenges was balancing all the roles I took on. Writing, directing and editing required a lot of effort and coordination. While I handled the creative side, such as storytelling and direction, I collaborated with a friend who managed production logistics like budgeting and distribution. This partnership made the process more manageable.
Another challenge was assembling a team. Daniel recommended talented students from Segovia, which helped me find an amazing group of collaborators. However, there were still many moments of uncertainty, and not everything went as planned.
We also faced financial challenges. My friend and I invested in the project and had to set aside funds for festival submissions, something I hadn’t considered before. Despite these obstacles, the project came together in the end through careful planning, teamwork and resilience.
Q: What’s your advice for aspiring filmmakers and video editors looking to establish themselves as freelancers?
A: Be proactive and surround yourself with a strong team. Growth in this industry happens together—when one person in your circle succeeds, they often bring others in with them. Building relationships with like-minded people is crucial for finding opportunities and building your craft.
Patience and resilience are key. The entertainment industry is challenging, but perseverance pays off. Treat it as a marathon, not a sprint. Finally, always be someone people enjoy working with—being kind and reliable goes a long way.
Q: How did your time as a student at IE University influence your approach to storytelling and filmmaking?
A: My time there was essential in shaping my approach to storytelling and filmmaking. When I started in 2020, the photography and video production class introduced me to the world of filmmaking. It was in that class that I learned the foundational skills of recording and editing.
Throughout my four years, I took every opportunity to be involved, especially with the Media Lab, where I collaborated on various projects. These experiences helped me develop a passion for video editing, which became the focus of my thesis project.
By my fourth year, I wanted my thesis to reflect everything I loved about storytelling and creativity. I created my first original short film “Where We Go Next” under the guidance of my video production professor and mentor Daniel López. He not only helped me navigate areas I was unfamiliar with but also connected me with talented students from the Segovia campus to build an amazing team.
Q: With “Where We Go Next” currently on its festival run, what are your hopes for the film and your next creative projects?
A: The film is still on its festival run, and any additional awards would be amazing. However, I’m already proud of what we achieved. Many people have said there’s more to tell, and perhaps one day I’ll revisit it, but for now, I’m ready to focus on new projects.
I’m currently planning a five-minute slice-of-life comedy, which will be very different from “Where We Go Next”. Whether I win the competition I entered or not, I’m committed to producing it early next year.
In my master’s program, we’re also working on a new initiative to produce several high-quality short films, which I’ll be editing. These projects are my focus for the first half of the year, and I’m excited to continue growing as a filmmaker and editor.
Recognition for “Where We Go Next”
Camila’s short film “Where We Go Next” has garnered recognition on the festival circuit. Notably, it won the Best Student Short Film award at the Love and Hope festival in Barcelona. The film has also been selected for several other festivals, showcasing her storytelling talent and the collaborative efforts of her team.
Looking to build a successful career in film like Camila? Check out our Bachelor in Communication & Digital Media.