We spoke to Film Director - Paul Santoli | LIF #18

This week on Love it Film, we’re thrilled to welcome actor, writer, and director Paul Santoli!Paul is best known for his deeply personal feature film Because of Mika (2024), which he wrote, directed, and starred in. The film explores themes of grief, healing, and redemption, drawing from his own experiences of loss. Born in Massapequa, Long Island, Paul began his career in stand-up comedy at 18 before studying at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting in NYC. He has since created a range of projects, including the short film Leave it All Behind (2018) and his upcoming feature We Want the Virus.In this episode, Paul opens up about channeling personal tragedy into storytelling, the therapeutic power of filmmaking, and his commitment to inspiring others through his work. He also shares insights into his creative process, including improvising emotionally charged scenes and building a supportive community through his production company, 516 Productions.We also chat about his journey in the industry, how he approaches character work, and what he’s excited to take on next—so stay tuned!Thanks so much for joining us, Paul!We now have a Patreon! If you enjoyed the episode and want to see more like this, you can support us directly by becoming a Patreon member:👉 ⁠patreon.com/LoveitFilm⁠The perks:🔹 Shoutouts at the end of every podcast🔹 Early access to new episodes🔹 Exclusive subscriber-only content (coming soon!)Host: Jamie LovettProducers: Chris Lovett & Jamie LovettFounder: Chris LovettCamera Operator: Carl LovettVideo Editor: Carl LovettSound: Carl LovettLighting & Grip: Carl Lovett