Ep. 175: Alyssa Botelho

Welcome, Alyssa Botelho a writer, director, producer, and actor. She was born and raised in Fairhaven, Massachusetts. Her passion for unearthing untold stories from the past and breathing life into them through the art of filmmaking is what drives her to create. Alyssa's style is a blend of suspense, mystery, and existentialism. It's all woven together with a thread of humor that provides a multi-dimensional richness to her narratives. She first learned filmmaking at Fairhaven High School and went on to the University of Rhode Island where she graduated in 2021 with a 4.0 GPA. Alyssa Botelho also garnered the University Academic Excellence Award in Film/Media, and the Dean's Excellence Award in Management. A decorated filmmaker, Alyssa Botelho's achievements have been celebrated on both the state and national levels, with a notable emphasis on her "Best Director" and "Best Short Fiction" awards from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences - New England Colleges/Universities Chapter (commonly referred to as "Student Emmys"). Her latest film project is Sweet Freedom, a film revolving around the incredible true life of Polly Johnson, a legendary abolitionist who lived and fought for freedom in New Bedford, Massachusetts. The Artists Index's cofounder, documentarian, and podcast host, Ron Fortier, talks to Alyssa Botelho about her background, passions, and future. The Artists Index uses Zoom to accommodate our guests' schedules and to allow them to remain in the comfort of their homes, especially those who no longer live on the South Coast of Massachusetts. Our home base and studio are located at Spectrum Marketing Group in Howland Place in New Bedford. If you would like to be a guest on  The Artists Index or have a suggestion, please let us know! The In-Focus Podcasts are up close and personal conversations with the makers, performers, supporters, and cultural impresarios of the remarkable creative community of South Coast Massachusetts including New Bedford, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Westport, and beyond. Thank you to our sponsors:   Heavenly Spirits 20 Patterson Brook Road West Wareham, MA 02576  508 947-9973