Evette N. Betancourt

I started my professional life in accounting, a field that gave me structure and stability, but my heart was always drawn to storytelling. In 2009, I took a leap into filmmaking, and in 2013, I founded Gemini Pictures. Our first project—a web series starring James Kyson—was the first SAG-AFTRA new media project produced in San Diego. Since then, I’ve balanced my freelance filmmaking career with accounting work, proving that creativity and structure can coexist in meaningful ways.
I credit my time at Chapman University for laying the foundation for my screenwriting career. I’ve worked on local San Diego videos, feature screenplays with strong female leads, and was recently named a finalist for the Universal Pictures Residency Lab. Currently, I focus on feature and one-hour dramas while continuing to train in vertical storytelling formats. I stay active in local filmmaker events, maintaining my skills and connecting with other creatives in the San Diego area. I am the first out of my family to be a college graduate.
Over the years, I’ve gained hands-on experience tracking trades, connecting with directors, and supporting pre-production projects. Being accepted into Chapman University’s screenwriting program was a significant milestone—I was the first in my family to attend a private college. That achievement has been foundational to everything I do professionally.

I’ve been honored with two San Diego Film Awards for Best Web Series and several screenplay contest placements. One piece of advice I always share with aspiring professionals is to research independently and seek guidance from experienced mentors—it’s one of the most powerful ways to grow.

My journey has been unconventional, balancing numbers and narratives, structure and creativity. But every step has taught me that with vision, dedication, and persistence, it’s possible to turn your passions into your profession while making a meaningful impact along the way. I would recommend to all film makers entering the industry to do your own research. To really learn and to surround yourself with good mentors, also be prepared with what you would like to know from a mentor so that way when you have the opportunity you can ask more insightful questions which will lead to fostering better relationships

The biggest challenge I’ve faced in the filmmaking industry is the lack of inclusivity for Latina women behind the camera such as producers writers and directors. There are moments when it feels like opportunities are limited, and I’ve had to work twice as hard to have my voice heard and my projects recognized. But those challenges have also shaped my resilience and my commitment to creating authentic stories

I love exploring stories in new ways, including adapting comics into visual media. One of my ideas I have thought about is turning the comic book Feral into an animated series—a story about cat survivors navigating a post-pet apocalypse world. Comics have always inspired me, and adapting this story would allow me to combine my love for the medium with my filmmaking skills.
Since 2001, I’ve been involved in film conventions, local festivals, and networking events. I’m also a volunteer foster parent at the San Diego Humane Society, helping animals find loving homes. Maintaining strong connections with my alma maters, Chapman University and UC Santa Cruz, is also important to me—I enjoy supporting the next generation of creatives whenever I can.