Meet Kim Caicedo | Writer/Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kim Caicedo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kim, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
Risk, particularly the risk of failure, has always been necessary for me. Choosing to start over from a successful career as a Designer/Art Director to pursue my dream of being a Film/TV Director was the embodiment of this ethos. Jumping into the unknown, not knowing where I’d land, and letting go of what I knew so well was intimidating. Ultimately it led me closer to creating work that gave me fulfillment. Through this journey, I’ve come to realize that failure is growth and self-discovery, and for me, it will always be worth the risk

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My journey to directing has been strange. I was not the kid who grew up with a camera in my hand, nor did I force my siblings to put on plays for our parents. Nope. I was the weird girl who drew horses and used to watch everyone from the back of the classroom. I was the Colombian–American girl who fixated on details and couldn’t speak English well. This led me to a career as a designer/art director in New York, but my mind would always wander back to people, their details, and their stories.

It was something I could not resist; before I knew it, I was spending nights and weekends after work, horrifically failing to make short films about our complex relationships. Eventually, I was able to make something that was surprising (or at least not as bad as I thought it would be). The pursuit of that surprise has led me to this lifelong journey of directing, films about our bonds. Recently, my debut feature “The Pines” was nominated for best feature by NewFilmmakers LA and I have just completed my Thesis film at AFI. I am very grateful for my journey; my curiosity, foundation in fine art, and Colombian heritage inform the visual language in my work today.

I have learned so many lessons along the way, but mostly that it’s important to care. I think everyone should find something to care about, and they should do it with their whole heart. It doesn’t have to be a career. Careers do not define us. While I love what I do, film is my practice, not my career, and it allows me to explore depths of myself that I couldn’t before regardless of the story.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Los Feliz Day
– Brunch at Loupiotte Kitchen
– Thrift at Squaresville
– Hike to Glendale Peak
– Coffee at Forage
– Free museum – Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery. Arts and artists of SoCal.
– Eat at Thai Patio Or Osteria La Buca
– Drinks at Mirate, Lillys, or Lolo wine bar ( depending on the mood)

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
A huge shoutout to my creative partner & husband, Ben Johnson, for his unwavering support and belief in me throughout every twist and turn of this journey!

Website: https://www.kcaicedo.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/konoriver/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kcaicedo/