Sandra A. Smith
Sandra Smith is an award-winning independent filmmaker, singer, and actress with over two decades of experience in the entertainment industry. Beginning her career in San Francisco, she performed with agencies such as Faces International and Prodigy Management, honing her skills in acting and singing before discovering her passion for producing and directing. In 2006–2007, she launched her own TV show, which marked a turning point in her career and inspired her to pursue formal training at Laney College, earning a degree in production and performance.
As the founder and operator of Tiger Eye Entertainment and Films, Sandra writes, directs, and produces content for film and television, while also performing as a singer and actor. Her work focuses on independent film and television projects, with an emphasis on creating stories that reflect her unique vision and creativity. She manages all aspects of production, including scriptwriting, casting, scheduling, and post-production, while maintaining a daily routine of prayer, meditation, exercise, and dedicated writing to ensure both personal and professional balance.
Sandra’s contributions have received international recognition, including a nomination for Filmmaker Icon of the Year in the Philippines (2023) and a cover feature in Desire Magazine (India). Her current projects include two TV series and her first horror film, along with the romantic comedy Julia Stiles, filmed during the COVID-19 pandemic. With a commitment to integrity, family, and creative excellence, Sandra continues to push the boundaries of independent filmmaking, inspiring others through her art, leadership, and dedication to storytelling.
• Berkekey Digital Film Instutute
• Gateway to College at Laney College- A.A.
• Nominated for Filmmaker Icon of the Year in the Philippines (2023)
• Featured on cover of Desire Magazine in India
• Honored Listee- Marquis Who's Who
• Faces International and Prodigy Management
• Stop the Violence in the community
• Back-to-school fundraising for backpacks and school materials
• Homelessness awareness and support in Berkeley (Scene Festival)
• Feeding and clothing the homeless
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to being able to continue doing what I do and adding to my talent and gifts every day. I bring myself, I bring my gifts, I bring my talent, I bring everything that I have to what I do. My attributes to my success are my talent, my gift, my drive, my energy, and my spirit, and definitely the creative process of doing everything that I do. It's about showing up fully with all of who I am and what I have to offer.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Never give up. I know that's a little cliche, but people would always tell me it doesn't matter about the setbacks and delays in your life - those are just building you to be a much better, talented, gifted person. People would always tell me, never give up, just keep on doing what you're doing, keep pushing, because those doors will open for you. You can't stop, because once you stop, you will never see what the end result would be for you. So for me, I just keep pressing on, I keep pushing, and I keep putting out whatever I can for my viewers and those that support me when it comes to content.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
God gives us a vision and gives us ideas. Don't second-guess it. Just move with it and go with it, because you never know what that bright idea you have or what God may do with that idea. Whatever idea comes to your mind, don't overthink anything, just go with it. Step out in faith and allow yourself to achieve and accomplish whatever it is that you prayed for, and when it comes to you, that's God showing you where to go. Always, always go with your vision and your dreams, and never overthink anything. Just go with it.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge I'm facing right now is being able to get my work out there on major platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, or Apple TV. The world sees what you do when you post trailers or content, but as a filmmaker now, you have to go through distribution in order to get your work seen on these platforms. Trying to get the right distributor to distribute my film to these different platforms has been challenging, especially with my new film 'Julia Stiles,' which is a romantic comedy about trying to find love over 50 when you're very successful and a powerful woman. I released this project in November, but it's been challenging to get it on these platforms. I can easily put it on YouTube and Facebook, but when you're a professional trying to reap the harvest back off your project which you put into it, you need these platforms where you can reap your harvest back and the finances that you put into your project. It's been challenging as a filmmaker getting my work out there in a way that allows me to benefit from my investment.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
In my personal life, I value my family. I love my family because they are my greatest supporters. I definitely value their opinion, their support, and the love that they show me. In my professional career, I value loyalty and commitment when it comes to people I am working with. I want them to be just as committed to projects that we are collaborating on and loyal when it comes to working with each other. Sometimes you don't always get that when you collaborate with some people - you may put in 100% and they may put only 20 out of that 150. I'm going to say 150, and they may put 20, and you may put the 130. I value integrity, loyalty, and definitely commitment when it comes to working on a project. Loyalty is everything when it comes to working on projects in this industry, and definitely commitment.