Meet Kayleigh Castaneda of Phoenix

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kayleigh Castaneda.

Hi Kayleigh, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My name is Kayleigh Castaneda. I graduated from the Sydney Poitier New American Film School at Arizona State University in the fall of 2024. I am a passionate filmmaker, actor, and screenwriter who strives to create captivating stories that resonate with people.

I was born in Las Vegas, Nevada (but what happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas), and grew up in beautiful Phoenix, Arizona. Going into college, I didn’t even know that being a filmmaker was an option for me. I spent most of my life loving films and imagining what it would be like to work on them, but growing up in a single-parent household in South Phoenix, being in film never appeared as an option for me. So when I had enrolled at ASU, I thought I wanted to be a high school English teacher, and had “panic-enrolled” because I didn’t want to feel behind. It took two weeks for me to realize that was not what I wanted, and when I discovered there was a film program at ASU, I enrolled without hesitation and fell in love with the program the second I went to my first class.

Since then, I have had the honor to work on several amazing short films and have done a variety of different positions, ranging from production design, makeup, wardrobe, background acting, and slating. I have also had the privilege to write, produce, and direct several projects.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
While I love being a filmmaker, it hasn’t always been easy. Unlike most of my peers, I had no background in filmmaking before going to college, which was personally challenging. I felt like I didn’t know anything and was lost. I loved studying film and learning about the beauty and complexity of the art form, but it felt as though I didn’t always have something to offer. Then something amazing happened: I found a group of people who were so passionate, supportive, and fun that any doubt I had about being successful in the film industry dissipated. Being able to connect with others who have the same passions and interests as you is always motivating, but to learn and grow with them is something that pushes you to embrace new challenges, especially in an ever-changing industry.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I consider myself to be a screenwriter, actor, and director. Writing and storytelling have always been a part of my life, especially growing up. Being able to continue to create new stories that others can turn into something bigger, that people can see and experience, means everything to me. Screenwriting gives me that opportunity, and some of my favorite genres to write in are comedy and horror. I’ve recently been refining a comedy series that I’ve been working on for nearly two years, and I’m very excited to share it with the world soon.

While I initially explored acting and directing in my classes, I found a new appreciation and devotion for them toward the end of my college experience. I am continuing to practice and build my skills in both.

What does success mean to you?
Success, to me, is being able to continue pursuing the things you love. It’s not always easy to work in a creative field, especially when you’re starting from ground zero, but if you can grow and learn and meet new people who help push you to a point where you can keep making and doing the things you love, then you are successful. If I can continue to make films and work on television series for as long as possible, then I feel as though I have succeeded.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kayleighcastanedafilms.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kayleigh100395/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087362845188
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayleigh-castaneda-b49265225
• Twitter: https://x.com/KayleighCas1003

Image Credits
Eduardo Godoy