This one may be a slight misnomer... because duh, of course representation matters! Instead, we talk more about belonging with director Sydne Horton (@sydnehorton), as well as inspiring the next generation of creators with actor and educator Audrey Tchoukoua. 

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Sydne Horton is an LA-based director originally from Carmel, Indiana. She is a proud midwestern at heart and as a queer creator, she commonly finds herself exploring queer narratives and landscapes. Currently, she is a Director’s Circle Mentee in Women In Film’s 2022 Mentorship Program. Her short films have had their world premieres at LA Shorts International Festival and Outfest Los Angeles. Other festival appearances include Inside Out Toronto, Tallgrass, Aesthetica Short Film, Melbourne Queer Film Festival, Out on Film Atlanta, and more. Specifically, her film META has screened with
over 30 festivals while ending its festival run with a 3-month exhibit at Seattle’s Museum of Pop Culture. Horton, who had her break into the industry as a Television Academy Foundation Intern, graduated from Columbia College Chicago with a Bachelor’s degree in Television Directing and Production and has gained professional production experience working with Blumhouse, Netflix, FX, HBO Max, and Nickelodeon. Additionally, she was selected as 1 of 5 global competitors for 2021’s Inside Out Toronto’s Pitch Please Competition with her film The House Sitters. Navigating the world as an adopted and queer identifying individual, Sydne formed a strong connection with the film E.T. at an early age and aspires to direct and tell stories that bring alienated groups together both literally and figuratively.

Adreyauna from Ink to Prosperity (@inktoprosperity) hosts a moment of inspiration. 

WHILE YOU CREATE is an audio show brought to you by Cool Girls Collective — we’re a community shaping convos around creativity. You can find us at coolgirls.co and on socials @coolgirlscollective. Production music is by LoHi5 (@lohi.5.music).