French Actress, Producer, Director Nitsa Benchetrit is known for her work known for “My Old Lady” (2014) and “Mary Pickford: Love Wild” (currently in post-production). She has recently produced "The Shameless" (2024) directed by Konstantin Bojanov, which premiered in Cannes 2024 in Un Certain Regard and won Best Performance by Best Actress Anasuya Sengupta and “Ravens” (2024) written and directed by mark Gill. She lives in Paris where she is currently acting in a popular French series “The Sun Chronicles”.

 

Can you speak about your background in acting first? 

NITSA: I started acting after business and political science MBA studies at EDHEC Business School in Paris and The London School of Economics and Political Science obviously in London. I entered the Actors ' Studio MFA program in NY at The New School. Since then, I acted in the theatre in NY mostly and a little in Paris, and I focused on films, mostly independent and just recently and for the past year and a half, I am acting in a French popular series “The Sun Chronicles” in which I incarnate a toxic but loving mother. An interesting and challenging role.  

 

At what point in your career did you begin to focus on directing and producing?

NITSA: While I was at the Actors' Studio, to earn a living and because of my background, I started to work with NY producers. I founded my company in 2010 and started with an Israel Horovitz film “My Old Lady”. 

 

What do you find most challenging about producing? 

NITSA: The most challenging part of producing is financing the film especially if you are bringing new talent, to convince financers to take the leap of faith. 

 

Being based in Paris, do you mainly work with co-production systems? Or private? Or both?

NITSA: I work across the board, and the co production system always involves also finding equity to complete financing. 

 

Why is indie filmmaking so difficult and what advice do you have for young producers out there?

NITSA: Indie filmmaking is challenging because it involves topics that are not mainstream, bringing to life a unique and particular vision of the filmmaker, convincing cast that triggers financing, and convince financers to take a risk. I would say that a good script is your foundation so one should focus on bringing to writer to the best of her/himself and more than anything to never give up. 

 

You have many credits under your belt. Do you have a favorite project you have worked on that you are most proud of?

NITSA: Each one of them has been quite a challenge and a battle. I love them all. 

 

You recently produced a film that went to Cannes Un Certain Regard. Can you tell us about that?

NITSA: Having a film in Cannes has always been a dream objective, the prestige of the Cannes Film Festival is unprecedent. It was the work of a whole team with talented people every step of way. It's a miracle when it happens and exhilarating experience. 

 

How were the reactions to your film at Cannes? 

NITSA: People cried. It's a powerful film. The director Konstantin Bojanov is an amazing director with a strong vision and convictions, capable of directing actors in a way that rarely directors do, bringing the souls of the characters to life that touch everyone's heart. 

 

Why is it so important for filmmakers to attend Cannes and other film festivals? 

NITSA: Festivals are obviously a window for exposition, that's where independent films get noticed and acclaimed. It's a step towards audiences across the world. 

 

What will you be working on next? 

NITSA: My next film is a high concept by an extremely talented and acclaimed playwright and screenwriter Audrey Schebat about the disappearance of empathy... a significant subject to talk about in the world we live in. 

 

Interview by Vanessa McMahon