When I first set out to tell Penelope’s Story, a deeply personal film about the re-birth of a victim of human and sex trafficking, I had a powerful idea, but little understanding of what it would take to bring it to life. This story is so close to my heart, as the spiritual journey of my main protagonist, Penelope, reflects how I was able to overcome mental abuse.

What started as a vision slowly transformed into a finished film that has been licensed for Amazon Prime Video and Fawesome TV, and I want to share the roadmap of how I got here in hopes it inspires you, standing where I once stood: with a dream in your heart and no clear path forward.

The Birth of an Idea

The story came to me not as a full script, but as a feeling, a calling to illuminate the journey of resilience and reclaiming identity. This happened after I went on a short visit to Manitoulin Island, ON, Canada, in the summer of 2020 with my family, and I saw a big billboard that read "Buying sex is a crime," which piqued my interest. I saw many similar signs like that around the main road.

The Northern Ontario area in Canada is mainly forest and not many houses, with maybe one police station in a small town. This interested me to dig further into the matter.

Why Now?

After doing the research, I learned that 4 out of 5 of the sex trafficked girls or women are Indigenous, starting as early as 12 years old, and the many reasons why and how they get involved in this were just heartbreaking to me.

My husband, who partnered up with me on this project, is a First Nation Indigenous, and so as a mother, a woman, this matter became personal to me.

I knew it had to be told, but I didn’t know where to start. That’s when I discovered Stage 32. I wasn’t just looking for education; I was searching for a creative home, a place where I could learn the business, grow as a storyteller, and find the confidence to pitch my vision.

Julia Lespine as Penelope

The Turning Point: Education and Empowerment

I dove headfirst into the resources Stage 32 offered. One of the most transformative moments came from taking one of their Pitch Sessions with Jenean Jeffries, a development executive who gave me hope and valuable feedback that my film Penelope’s Story is what this world needs so desperately, Hope.

I printed her words and taped them to the top corner of my laptop, which motivated me to keep refining the script. They reminded me that my story mattered. I kept re-writing during my 1-hour breaks at work. As a mom of 2 with a full-time job, I had to find whatever time I could to complete my story. This pitch session helped refine not just the pitch but the clarity of my film’s overall mission.

1st day of filming at Estela's farm! From Left to Right: Corina Leatherdale (Estela), Julia Lespine (Penelope), Lisetty Sandoval (Director), Jules Nerestant (DOP/Camera), Ryan Baily (Boom mic/sound)

Lessons From the Trenches

The production process was anything but easy. There were rewrites, funding hurdles, location issues, and many people telling me “No” and questioning me if I was the right person to tell this story. But through every challenge, I returned to my “Why” and the foundation I had built with mentors on Stage 32.

Here are some of the biggest lessons I learned along the way:

• Start with your “why.” If your story has heart, it will resonate. That “why” will carry you through the hard days whenever you feel like dropping the towel.
• Know your story inside out. Thanks to classes like Clay Liford's Directing 101 Class on Stage 32, I didn’t just know what happened in my script; I knew why it happened and what it meant.
• Be resourceful. When funding is an issue, don’t let your dreams be put on hold until someone else decides to give you a “green light”. Pitch your “why” you’re doing this story to anyone you think will be able to assist you, such as locations, donations, volunteering time for your crew, or actors. You’ll be surprised by the kind hearts that would love to be part of your project. All the locations you’ll see in my film were donated to me as a sign of pure grace, and many other Miraculous things that happened during this production, that will take a book to tell you all about it. For instance, my crew was only 3 people, including me.
• Be open to collaboration. Whether it’s feedback from a pitch session or notes from a DP, filmmaking is a team sport.
• Confidence comes from preparation. Every class, pitch session, and coaching call gave me tools that added up to confidence to go into pre-production. Remember to plan your shot lists, rehearsals with your actors and your DP, storyboards, and dissect your script for directing. When it was time to direct on set, I felt prepared.
• Your voice matters. If you're writing a story only you can tell, especially one rooted in trauma, survival, or social justice, don’t be afraid to speak loudly. This helped me to turn my Mess into my Message.

A Story of Hope and for the Future

Penelope’s Story is no longer just mine. It belongs to everyone who’s lived through the shadows of their past and stepped into the light. It teaches how to let go of the past and be able to move on, showing the journey that someone takes from victim to the Hero of their own life.

And it’s a testament to what can happen when education meets passion, and when platforms like Stage 32 empower emerging voices.

Q&A at the LatinAmerican Film Festival in Ottawa. From Left to Right: Lisetty Sandoval (Director), Julia Lespine (Penelope), Corina Leatherdale (Estela)

A Note to Other Dreamers

If you're reading this and wondering how to take your idea to the next step, start. Invest in your growth. Ask yourself: Am I a good investment? Bet on yourself first so everyone else can see your true value. Take the class. Book the pitch session. Find your community. I’m proof that you don’t need to have all the answers, you just need to be willing to learn and have the courage to manifest your God-giving gifts to the world.

Thank you to Stage 32 for helping me believe in this story and myself.

And to you, my fellow artist, with a voice longing to be heard: your story matters. Don’t you quit! Keep going! Don’t be afraid to turn your Mess into your Message!

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