Sara Mazzei
Filmmaker & Visual Storyteller
Bio
Tell us a bit about your early career, what happened after you graduated?
Sara Mazzei’s journey into filmmaking began with a deep passion for cinema, not only for the stories on screen but for the craftsmanship behind them. From an early age, film became a way for her to explore emotions, people and the world around her.
This interest shaped her academic path. She attended an art high school specialising in multimedia studies, where she developed an early understanding of visual storytelling, digital tools and creative expression. She later continued her education at SAE Institute Milano, completing a Bachelor’s degree in Cinema and New Media Production in an environment that combined creative ambition with technical discipline.
During her studies, Sara worked on a range of structured, industry-style projects, typically within teams of four to ten people. Across these productions, she took on key responsibilities in directing, creative development and production coordination. Her work included shaping visual concepts, guiding performances, contributing to shot composition and supporting the organisation of on-set workflows.
Alongside her academic projects, she completed an internship at a fashion production agency, where she gained insight into commercial production environments. This included exposure to pre-production planning, on-set assistance and general production support, helping her understand the coordination required between creative and logistical teams.
Now based in Berlin, Sara is actively building her professional pathway, seeking opportunities to collaborate on independent and industry-led productions while continuing to develop her portfolio within an international creative context.
What are you most proud of so far?
Sara’s proudest achievement to date is the development and production of her project Within My Gaze. The film represents both a significant academic milestone and a deeply personal exploration of identity, perception and emotional storytelling through cinematic language.
From initial concept through to post-production, she maintained a strong authorial vision, carefully shaping the narrative, visual style and sound design. The project was presented within SAE and received positive feedback for its conceptual clarity, visual sensitivity and emotional impact.
Alongside the practical work, Sara also developed academic research connected to the project, including both a dissertation and a dedicated thesis. This allowed her to explore the theoretical framework behind her work and approach filmmaking in a more structured and reflective way.
Beyond the final outcome, the project represents a period of significant personal and creative growth, strengthening her resilience, confidence and ability to navigate both artistic and collaborative challenges.
How did SAE contribute to your journey?
SAE played a fundamental role in Sara’s development, providing a structured and practical environment where she could translate her passion for cinema into tangible skills. Through continuous hands-on work across production and post-production, she gained a clear understanding of industry processes and expectations.
The course encouraged experimentation, problem solving and creative risk-taking, helping her build confidence in her decision-making and technical abilities.
Equally important was the collaborative environment. Working closely with peers and tutors strengthened her communication skills and highlighted the importance of trust and teamwork within creative production. These experiences contributed significantly to both her professional and personal growth.
If you were recommending SAE to someone, what would you say?
Sara describes SAE as an intense but highly rewarding experience, particularly for those who are genuinely passionate about film and willing to challenge themselves. The course is strongly practical, requiring commitment, time and dedication, but this reflects the realities of the industry itself.
She believes the value of the experience is shaped by the level of engagement each student brings. Those who are proactive, curious and open to learning from both success and failure will gain the most from the course.
She also highlights the importance of the community, where connections formed during study often become an ongoing source of support and collaboration.
What advice would you give to future SAE students?
Sara encourages students to take initiative and create their own opportunities, rather than waiting for them to appear. Getting involved in a wide range of projects, including those outside of one’s comfort zone, is key to developing both confidence and skill.
She emphasises that mistakes are an essential part of the learning process and often lead to the most valuable insights. Managing time and energy effectively is also crucial, as the workload can be demanding.
Finally, she highlights the importance of building strong relationships. Classmates are not only collaborators but can become a long-term creative network. With curiosity, resilience and commitment, the experience can be truly transformative.
Study a Masters in Professional Practice at SAE
At SAE, our MA/MSc Professional Practice is designed to help you take your creative career further, refining your expertise while building a body of work that reflects your professional ambitions.
This course supports you in developing advanced skills, critical thinking, and a future-focused mindset, giving you the space to explore innovation, push your practice, and position yourself for the next step in your industry.
