Hello Stage 32 Community!

I’m thrilled to introduce myself as the new Stage 32 Brand Ambassador for Poland! I’m a film producer, editor, and President of Women in Film & Television Poland, and I had the pleasure of connecting with the Stage 32 team this year at the Cannes Film Festival.

My film journey began in Los Angeles, and over the years, I’ve produced internationally recognized projects that have screened at festivals from Cannes to Berlinale to Mumbai. I’m especially passionate about telling cross-cultural stories, films that build bridges between communities and reflect the global nature of our industry.

As I join the Stage 32 family, I’m excited to support fellow creatives interested in international collaboration and storytelling that transcends borders.

Introduction: Stories Without Borders

In 2020, South Korean filmmaker Bong Joon-ho made history when his darkly comedic thriller Parasite swept the Academy Awards, winning Best Picture, Best Director, and Best International Feature. It was the first time a non-English-language film claimed the Oscars’ top prize. And it wasn’t a coincidence.

Since then, the dominance of culturally diverse international films has only grown. In 2023, French director Justine Triet’s Anatomy of a Fall took home the Palme d’Or and later the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay.

The globalization of content isn’t just a business model anymore - it’s the demand of the audience. Yet while the appetite for international stories has never been higher, making a film that truly travels across borders is a complex equation, requiring creative intuition, cross-cultural insight, and strategic infrastructure.

As a producer working between Europe and the US, I’ve learned that global content isn’t about diluting a story - it’s about deepening it, building bridges between the local and the universal. I co-produced a feature film, "One Day In Hadsel” that was a collaboration between Norway, France, Poland, and the US. My award-winning short film “The Stradivari” was a melting pot on set: 11 countries, 3 continents. And I can honestly tell you: I love working across cultures and across borders! Today, I’ll unpack practical strategies and key considerations for filmmakers looking to make stories that resonate globally, financially, culturally, and emotionally.

1) Think Global, Write Local: Authenticity Is the New Universality

The paradox of global storytelling is that the more specific a story feels, the more universally it tends to travel. Films like A Real Pain, Parasite, or The Anatomy of a Fall are rooted in hyper-specific cultures and geographies, yet they’ve connected with audiences worldwide.

Avoid writing a “global” film by trying to be all things to all people. Instead, double down on local truths: dialects, food, customs, architecture. Viewers aren’t afraid of subtitles anymore - they’re tired of homogeneity. Authenticity is magnetic. It builds trust, which builds emotional engagement. If you want to go global, start by getting real.

Tip: Don’t try to “write for the world.” Write for a character, in a place, with real stakes - and trust that your authenticity will speak volumes. Whether you're developing a drama in the outskirts of Brooklyn or a road movie through the Alps, originality is more desirable than trendiness.

Case-study: Parasite (South Korea, 2019) – Dir. Bong Joon-ho is the quintessential case for how hyperlocal storytelling can resonate globally. Bong Joon-ho roots the film in very specific South Korean realities, yet audiences around the world immediately recognized its emotional and societal dynamics.

Inspiration quote: “Once you overcome the one-inch-tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films.” - Bong Joon-ho, Oscars acceptance speech

2) Build the Right Team Across Borders

International content lives and dies with its team. In the European co-productions that work also together with the United States, you're constantly navigating multiple time zones, creative expectations, different budget models, and unique communication styles. Success requires not only hiring talent with the right skills but also with cross-cultural navigation rooted in an open-minded attitude, curiosity, and mutual respect.

Working with bilingual (or more) producers, DPs, and line producers can smooth communication and prevent costly misunderstandings. Beyond language, you need region-specific industry expertise - people who can help you understand the expectations of the European public funding system, or SAG-AFTRA compliance.

When you're shooting with international crews, communication is your biggest asset, and your biggest risk. Simple words can have different meanings. Humor doesn’t always translate. And miscommunication on set can quickly snowball into resentment, production delays, or worse.

So, set clear expectations early on in pre-production. Encourage an environment where asking questions isn't seen as weakness. Make sure your communication style is clear and precise - it will save you time. And lead with empathy, especially when working across power imbalances.

Remember: you’re not just making a film. You’re guiding a cultural exchange.

Tip: Invest in the soft skills: leadership, communication, constructive feedback. These aren’t just nice to have - they’re essential tools of a successful production. Your soft skills translate into your success skills.

Case study: A Real Pain (USA/Poland, 2024) – Dir. Jesse Eisenberg - a powerful example of a U.S. filmmaker collaborating intentionally with a European production ecosystem (Poland) to tell a story with cross-cultural and historical depth.

Inspiring quote: "The range of human cultures can be a source of endless surprise and discovery - a fount of remarkable experiences and continual learning that can never be exhausted." The Culture Map by Erin Meyer (p. 253)

3) Financing Global Content – Challenges and Opportunities

Financing is perhaps the biggest hurdle for international films, particularly those that work across Europe and the U.S. The models are different - Europe relies on grants, funds, and broadcasters; the U.S. leans on equity, tax credits, and pre-sales. Bridging these approaches requires careful expertise and experienced legal guidance. However, it also bears an incredible opportunity to elevate the business aspect of your film, along with creativity.

Examples of Opportunities:

• Use soft money in Europe to mitigate the risk
• Leverage U.S. actors or actresses to raise your film’s profile to secure a pre-sale or a negative pickup
• Tap into minority co-production models to access multiple funds (e.g. shooting in Poland with French post-production support).

Examples of Challenges on your way:

• Currency fluctuations
• Contractual differences
• Managing expectations between creatives and financiers

Tip: Bring on a co-producer who has done international productions before. They will save your budget and your sanity.

Case-study: The Girl with the Needle (Denmark/Poland, 2024) – Dir. Magnus von Horn exemplifies the power and complexity of European co-productions with support from the Polish Film Institute, the Danish Film Institute, the Swedish Film Institute, Nordisk Film, Creative Europe Media, Eurimages, Łódź Film Fund, and more.

Inspiring quote: "The problem is that we live in a rapidly changing world, where we need to spend as much time rethinking as we do thinking. Rethinking is a skill set, but it's also a mindset." - Think Again by Adam Grant (p. 16)

4) Diversity Without Borders: DEI and the Power of Representation

Diversity isn’t a box to tick - it’s the engine of storytelling. In the context of global content, DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) isn’t just ethical - it’s strategic.

Audiences want to see themselves reflected on screen. More than that, they want fresh perspectives. For instance, including female voices and talent doesn’t make your film niche- it gives it oxygen.

Across Europe and the US, we’re seeing the slow rise of gender parity in directing, producing, and writing, but it’s far from enough. Organizations like Women In Film & Television International consist of chapters around the world, most recently with a newly opened chapter in Poland (WIFT Poland) during the Cannes Film Festival in May 2025, and they are pushing toward a more inclusive film industry and all screen-based media. They support DEI strategies by boosting education with strong partners like Stage32, sharing knowledge (like this blog), connecting (networking aspect), and raising visibility.

But true DEI goes beyond numbers. It means empowering creatives from different backgrounds to tell their stories on their own terms, ei. not filtered through a dominant gaze. It means building teams that reflect the world we’re trying to reach. It means shaping a sustainable future together.

Tip: Apply DEI not just to casting, but to your entire team - from writers to music composers to publicists. Global storytelling means global voices at every level.

Case-study: Anatomy of a Fall (France, 2023) – Dir. Justine Triet - a prime example of how female-led, cross-cultural storytelling can challenge dominant perspectives and captivate a global audience. (By the way, Justine Triet became only the third woman ever to win the Palme d’Or).

Inspiring quote: "In a competitive talent market in which engagement drives retention and profits, Inclusifying is the key to innovation, growth, and continued success." - Inclusify by Stefanie K. Johnson (p. xx - Introduction)

5) Networking Internationally: Relationships That Build Careers

Filmmaking is a relationship business - globally, more than ever.

Film labs like TorinoFilmLab, the Berlinale Co-Production Market, and the Sundance Institute have become essential incubators for international collaboration. These programs connect filmmakers internationally. So, attend festivals, even without a project. Go to markets like Cannes, EFM, or AFM. Sit in panels. Stay for the drinks. Follow up.

When I look back at every international film I’ve produced, they all started with a relationship: a filmmaker I met in Cannes, a producer I had coffee with in Berlin, a festival director who connected the dots and made things happen.

Your network is part of your toolkit.

Tip: Don’t pitch at the first meeting. Lead with curiosity. Listen, learn, and follow up with sincerity. International films are built on long games.

Case-study: The Lunchbox (India/France/Germany/USA, 2013) – Dir. Ritesh Batra - while in development on a project selected for: 2012 Cinemart at the Rotterdam International Film Festival, Talent Project Market of Berlin International Film Festival, and mentored at Torino Film Lab

Inspiring quote: "In many cultures, the relationship is your contract. You can't have one without the other." - The Culture Map by Erin Meyer (p. 185)

The Future of Global Cinema in a Fragmented World

In a time of political polarization, economic uncertainty, and the era of AI, cinema remains one of the few mediums that can bridge cultures. But to truly succeed on a global stage, filmmakers must combine creativity with cultural curiosity and business acumen.

Global films are not about making content that appeals to everyone - they’re about telling stories that feel honest, authentic, and grounded, while still reaching across languages and borders. From grant applications in Warsaw or Paris to pitch decks in L.A., the journey is complex but incredibly rewarding.

As borders shift and audiences diversify, the films that endure will be those that embrace authenticity while staying deeply human.

Because in the end, storytelling, like cinema is a borderless medium.

This Week’s July Filmmakers Club Challenge: Share Your Local Lens

Your second challenge of July is all about widening your perspective, network, and opportunities. Completing the challenges below will automatically enter you to win a FREE Stage 32 Webinar to continue your education about the global entertainment industry—winner announced in next week’s blog!

Week Two Challenges:

• Post in the Stage 32 Filmmaking Lounge about what it’s like to create films in your part of the world. What are the challenges, resources, or unique stories coming from your region? Are there cultural or logistical differences you’ve encountered when working on international productions?
• Comment on 3 Lounge posts this week from members in different countries than your own. Share encouragement, ask questions about their experience, or spark a conversation about international production strategies.
• Invite at least 5 new creatives to join Stage 32 this week! Whether it’s a friend, local crew member, a fellow producer from a different country, or someone you’ve collaborated with—send them an invite using the Stage 32 Invite System and help them get involved in the Lounges.

Last week's winner!

Speaking of which, HUGE shoutout to our Week 1 Winners of a Stage 32 Pitch Session- Dwayne Williams and Mugs Cahill! Everyone drop congratulations for them in the blog comments below!!

Make sure you’re following @Stage32 and @rbwalksintoabar to stay in the loop on giveaways, challenges, and new resources all month long.

Let's hear your thoughts in the comments below!

Got an idea for a post? Or have you collaborated with Stage 32 members to create a project? We'd love to hear about it. Email Ashley at blog@stage32.com and let's get your post published!

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