Cephra Stuart’s breakout film, “San Francisco Bae”

by Whitney Larkins for Winter Film Festival
See the World Premiere of the feature comedy San Francisco Bae on February 21 @9:55 PM at LOOK Cinemas (657 West 57th Street) as part of New York City’s 13th Annual Winter Film Festival. Tickets now on sale!

Q: How did you come up with the premise for your film, “San Francisco Bae”? How much of your main character “Sierra” is a reflection of your real life?

The idea behind San Francisco Bae came to me during the pandemic after I had transitioned from tech into pursuing a career in entertainment. It’s a deeply personal project for two reasons, it’s the first script I’ve written and the two leads, Alex and Sierra, represent two halves of myself: Alex embodies my creative, musical, and entertainment-related side, while Sierra reflects my nerdy, technical, and entrepreneurial side. Through their journeys, I explore the challenges, struggles, and fears I’ve faced while navigating and pursuing these interests.

Beyond that, I wanted to challenge the ways Asian men and Black women are often portrayed in film. These groups are frequently reduced to harmful stereotypes, especially in the context of dating and romance. With this story, I aimed to break those molds, portraying them as desirable romantic partners—complicated, intelligent, and sexy all at once. Like Sierra, I’m also a data scientist who believes in using information to make the world a better place. Her journey in the story mirrors parts of my own, including attending a coding bootcamp, which is something I’ve experienced in real life. Writing this film allowed me to weave my personal experiences and passions into a narrative that I hope challenges stereotypes and resonates with others.

Q: How did you grow this project from concept to finished project? Describe the process.

I’ll admit, I was woefully underprepared when I first started (laughs). While living in San Francisco, I was part of a semi-professional a cappella group, which was a fun creative outlet. But during the pandemic, the group fell apart as everyone moved across the country. I felt a deep void and realized I needed to channel that creative energy and expression somehow. That’s when the idea for San Francisco Bae really took shape.

I decided to form my own writer’s group, gathering colleagues and collaborators to help flesh out the world of the story and its characters, ensuring its authenticity. For example, I made sure to have a Chinese-American man in my initial scoping of Alex and his family. They helped me breathe life into the first act and with their support, I completed the script. I then attended the Austin Film Festival Writer’s Conference where I found my writer’s group who helped me improve the story. After several drafts, I shared it with my cinematographer and asked if he would be willing to shoot this. He loved the subtlety of the story and appreciated that it didn’t feel preachy, which gave me the confidence to move forward with the project.

From there, the core team I assembled became the foundation for building the film. Post-production proved to be the most challenging part of the entire process, especially sound editing and music. It was incredibly important to me to work with artists of color, ensuring that the film was not just about representation but also built by the community it aimed to uplift.

This project was a labor of love, and growing it from concept to a finished film taught me so much about collaboration, persistence, and trusting the process.

Q: We see a lot of layers and intersectionality of race, class, and gender in this film. How did you approach these complicated themes without being preachy?

I approached these themes with a personal lens, drawing from my own experiences working in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and navigating the intersections of race, class, and gender throughout my career. Many of the situations my characters face in the film are ones I’ve lived through myself. Over time, I’ve learned the importance of patience, intentionality, and working collaboratively with people having different perspectives. Being preachy often backfires. It alienates rather than connects, and I wanted to spark reflection and understanding, not lecture the audience.

While these themes are woven into the story, they’re not the central focus. Instead, they create the backdrop against which the characters live, love, and grow. Moving from Virginia to San Francisco was like night and day for me, especially as a minority woman. I experienced microaggressions similar to those in the film, from feeling like an anomaly in interviews to being underestimated in professional settings. San Francisco showed me that, while biases exist, people value you once you prove what you’re capable of.

I wanted the film to reflect these nuances authentically, showing how these layers of identity shape the characters’ experiences without turning the story into a sermon. By focusing on their personal journeys and relationships, I aimed to make the themes feel organic, resonant, and ultimately human.

Q: You wrote, produced, directed, and worked as the film’s Casting Director, can you describe how you made your casting decisions? Did you learn anything in particular from your cast in the process based on their life experiences?

Casting was one of the most important parts of the process for me because I wanted the characters to feel authentic and deeply connected to the actors portraying them. It was also essential to me that they were strong actors who could bring depth, nuance, and truth to their roles.

The first person I cast was Alex, played by Paul Wang. I discovered Paul through Backstage, and his reel immediately stood out to me. After asking him to audition, I knew he was the perfect fit. He brought everything I envisioned for Alex and more. It was also crucial that both Alex and his sister, Grace, were portrayed by Chinese-American actors and that they actually looked like siblings to make their dynamic feel authentic.

For Sierra, it was equally important that she was a Black woman whose identity was unmistakable. Her character carries so much of the film’s heart, and I needed an actor who could embody her strength, vulnerability, and complexity with authenticity.

I learned so much from my cast throughout the process. Each actor brought their own unique perspective and life experiences, which enriched the story in ways I couldn’t have imagined. Many of them shared how specific scenes resonated with their own lives, and those conversations deepened my appreciation for their craft and commitment.

Every one of my cast members holds a special place in my heart. They didn’t just play these roles, they truly embodied the characters and were passionate about bringing them to life. I’m incredibly grateful to them for their talent, their openness, and their trust in me to tell this story together.

Q: So what are the next steps for “San Francisco Bae”? What are your aspirations?

I’m thrilled that San Francisco Bae will have its world premiere at the Winter Film Festival! It’s such an exciting opportunity to share the film with an audience for the first time and to gather valuable feedback and data about how it resonates with viewers. The first cut of the film was two hours, but I’ve worked hard to refine it to just over 90 minutes, and I’m eager to see how the pacing and storytelling land with an audience.

From here, my next steps include focusing on distribution and getting more eyes on the film. This project has been an experiment in so many ways, and I’m proud of how far it’s come. I’m hoping to connect with sales agents, distributors, and management who share my vision for the film and can help it reach a wider audience.

Ultimately, my aspiration is for San Francisco Bae to spark meaningful conversations, break stereotypes, and show audiences something fresh and authentic. I’m excited to see where this journey takes me and the film next!

Q: Do you have any advice for up-and-coming filmmakers that you’d like to share?

My biggest piece of advice is to stay true to who you are. Trouble often comes when you start sacrificing your identity or vision to meet someone else’s expectations. Don’t lose sight of your goals.

Next, remember that community is everything. Filmmaking is a collaborative process, and you can’t do it alone. Surround yourself with people who believe in you, challenge you, and bring their own unique talents to the table. It truly takes a village to bring a project to life, and that sense of collective effort is what makes a film successful.

Finally, make sure you love it. This industry can be tough, and the process can test your patience and resolve. But if you stay connected to your passion and keep sight of your goals, the hard work will be worth it.

Q: Do you have any messages of support for those affected by the wildfires in Los Angeles?

My heart goes out to everyone affected by the wildfires in Los Angeles. It’s a devastating situation. At the same time, I recognize that so many filmmakers and people around the world are navigating profound challenges right now. From war-torn regions in Ukraine and Palestine to the ongoing fight for Black and Brown lives, and personal battles with physical and mental illness, we’re all carrying something heavy. These challenges may look different, but the strength it takes to face them is universal.

If you’re going through something, know you’re not alone. Whether it’s loss, heartbreak, or the weight of the world, the same principles apply: take it one step at a time, ask for help, and give yourself grace. Strength isn’t about going it alone, it’s about finding light in the darkest moments and rebuilding.

Q: How will you observe Black History month this year? It’s interesting that you call it Black Futures Month. Do you care to elaborate on that?

Sure. Calling it Black Futures Month shifts focus toward our collective potential, merging the lessons of history with the urgency of shaping tomorrow. This perspective celebrates the architects of change while highlighting those who are forging new paths. For me, Black Futures Month is about exploring Afrofuturism and celebrating the innovative spirit that has always fueled Black communities. To celebrate, I’m most looking forward to starting a script that I’ve been marinating on for a long time that is inspired by true events and leans into Afrofuturism. I’ll also celebrate by reading speculative fiction by Black authors, engaging with forward-thinking art, and supporting emerging voices.