On April 14, the Upper School welcomed acclaimed director, producer, and screenwriter Sofia Coppola for a special assembly hosted by the Upper School Film Club. The program featured a student-led conversation with Film Club Co-heads Georgia C. ’28 and Violet S. ’28, followed by an audience Q&A that invited students into dialogue.

The visit marked a milestone moment for the Film Club, which, in its inaugural year, has quickly developed into a student-led space for creative exploration and discussion around film. In preparation for the assembly, Georgia and Violet spent weeks developing and refining questions intended to spark a thoughtful conversation about filmmaking, artistic process, and careers in the industry.

“We wanted to ensure that Violet and I really incorporated the ideas and voices of the Film Club members and not simply take complete control of this event ourselves, so during a meeting we spent time curating a list of questions and then later editing them. After this process, Violet and I completed the questions and practiced running through the whole assembly…as well as asking possible follow up questions to make it feel like less of a Q&A but rather a conversation,” Georgia said.

For Georgia, the opportunity to help lead the conversation was both meaningful and affirming.

“I was incredibly excited to be able to not only meet and speak with one of my favorite directors, but also showcase the abilities of the Film Club to the Upper School,” she said.

During the assembly, Coppola reflected on her experiences working in the film industry, the evolution of opportunities for women in filmmaking, and her creative process. She also spoke about the importance of persistence in creative work and the value of trusting one’s vision.

“There still are challenges, so I think you just have to, you know, push for what you want to see, and I always make things that I feel like I’m not seeing, or that’s not already out there,” Coppola said.

Collaboration and trust were also recurring themes throughout the discussion. Coppola emphasized the importance of building strong creative teams and working with collaborators who share a similar sensibility and approach to storytelling.

“I spent years working with different people and finding my team—and now it’s like my family. I have my key people that, when I do a movie, I know I can call them, and they will come be there for me. And also, they know how I like to work, and we have a shorthand,” Coppola said. “I think developing those relationships as you’re starting what you want to do, I think it’s really helpful—and to find support and people that you trust and that will really back you up.”

Reflecting on the experience, Georgia described the event as an opportunity not only to engage with a filmmaker she admires, but also to share the work of a first-year Film Club with the broader Upper School community.

The assembly underscored the power of student-led programming—particularly in its inaugural year—to foster meaningful connections between students and professionals in creative fields, while offering insight into the collaborative, evolving nature of filmmaking and the importance of sustaining one’s artistic voice.

“It was particularly special to have a female director that has made such an impact on the film industry come to our all-girls school because we were able to all hear about a woman’s experience in a male-dominated industry,” Georgia reflected. “Within this, I wanted everyone to hear about how no matter in what field you specialize, as long as you follow your passion just as Sofia Coppola has, there should be no reason you don’t find success.

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