Meet Lily Kennedy | Filmmaker

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

Hi Lily, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Risk is a huge part of my career. I moved to Los Angeles knowing two people who also happened to be my roommates. I had to build my career, network, and life from scratch, which was both nerve wracking and exhilarating.

It’s so hard to go out there and introduce yourself to someone, to be confident, to ask for questions and favors but it’s so necessary in the film industry. I had to actively become someone who says yes to every experience.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
What sets me apart is that the trajectory of my career has not been static. I started as an actor, then became a playwright and screenwriter, an later, I realized I had to become a producer to keep doing both of those things.

I’ve always been a “do-er.” I do not wait for opportunities to find me, I actively seek them out and create work for myself. As a writer I’m very feature focused, but I’ve also done shorts, web series, sketch comedy, and even written a novel. I think it’s been crucial that I’ve done so much of this work on my own because when I met people who I connected with, I could show them a vault of work immediately. Not an “idea,” not a “maybe this,” a concrete, finished thing that they could get their hands on.

As we were moving into a post-covid world, the industry was in a weird place. There was a lot of growth, especially in the streaming landscape, but it felt like the community had contracted, meaning if you hadn’t been working regularly before covid, it would be even more difficult to break in. It was clear to me I needed to make a change for myself and my career to get to where I wanted to go.

I realized I wanted to make movies, and to do that I had to say yes to myself on a bigger scale. I had talent as a producer and loved the work, so in the Fall of 2021 I officially launched my production company, Kennedy Stock Productions.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Oh gosh, I love L.A. so much and I could write a whole essay here! I adore my own neighborhood, Studio City, so I’d definitely start with breakfast at Aroma Coffee and Tea. Great food and the seating is like an outdoor oasis.

A drive through the hills is essential, up Laurel Canyon, take a detour down Mulholland Drive, and then down Coldwater Canyon into Beverly Hills.

I also love Larchmont Village, so I’d take a stroll through there with a pit stop at Salt and Straw. Of course, we’ve gotta hit the beach: Manhattan Beach is my favorite, but I also have a soft spot for Venice and Abbott Kinney.

I’m also such a theater nerd, so catching something at Center Theater Group or The Geffen would have to make it into the intinerary, or an improv show at UCB Franklin (RIP Sunset!).

Food wise, there’s so many incredible restaurants to choose from! Jon and Vinny’s, Gracias Madre and Jitlada (the owner is incredible!) are a few favorites.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
This industry is brutal and punishing. It’s impossible to do it alone. Every single film I’ve made would not have been possible without the help of people who graciously offered their help to me from friends, teachers, colleagues, creative partners. For some reason, there’s this idea that you must be cutting and selfish to have any success here. I fully believe the opposite is true. Be kind. Be helpful. Be honest. Own up to your mistakes and apologize when you can. I’m far from perfect, but trying to be the best I can has made my life and career better every day.

Website: kennedystockproductions.com

Instagram: @lilyhopeken

Image Credits
Greg Swartz.