Creator Spotlight: Victoria Westover

Based in Arizona, USA, Victoria Westover has spent over three decades championing cinema – curating films, co-producing international projects, and spotlighting underrepresented voices, especially in Mexican cinema. After years of shaping stories from the sidelines, she recently stepped behind the camera herself.

Her directorial debut, Final Vows, is an intimate, meditative documentary exploring the lives of Catholic nuns – a subject rooted in her own upbringing. With quiet persistence and deep respect, Victoria spent four and a half years building trust and listening to the women at the heart of the story. The result is a film that gently invites viewers to reflect on meaning, purpose, and modern spirituality.

Victoria Westover made her directorial debut after three decades in cinema

In this Creator Spotlight, Victoria shares her journey into filmmaking, the challenges and revelations behind Final Vows, and her dedication to telling bold, compassionate stories.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your journey into filmmaking? I’ve worked as a film curator for over 35 years, with the last two decades focused primarily on co-curating Mexican cinema. Around 20 years ago, I began producing both narrative and documentary films. A few years ago, I decided it was time to take the leap into directing. Final Vows is my directorial debut.

What inspired you to make Final Vows?

I was educated by Catholic nuns in the 1960s and ’70s, and I always wondered: What would lead a woman to choose that life? That question stayed with me, and when it came time to choose the subject of my first film as a director, it felt like the right place to begin.

The Trailer of Final Vows

What kind of answers did you receive?

To be honest, when I started filming Final Vows, I didn’t fully understand – or even respect – the decision to become a nun. But over time, through deeply personal interviews, the nuns shared how each of them felt they had received a very personal “call.” That’s something I still can’t relate to, but I came away with a profound respect for their choices.

Spending four and a half years in conversation with them was transformative. What surprised me most was the joy they find in this life – it’s real and deeply moving. I believe making the film helped me grow emotionally.

What were some of the biggest challenges you faced – creatively or logistically?

The biggest challenge was building trust. It took nearly two years of consistent visits and conversations before we reached a place of mutual comfort. Filming stretched over four and a half years with a small team.

Creatively, the challenge was different: how do you find a compelling story arc within lives that are largely quiet and contemplative? That became a meditation in itself – finding narrative meaning within simplicity and stillness.

What message or impact do you hope the film has on viewers?

I hope viewers walk away with a deeper understanding of a world they likely know little about – and are moved to consider whether this way of life has any relevance for them, or for our society as a whole.

As a woman in film, how has your experience been navigating the industry?

As an independent filmmaker working outside of major industry hubs, I have the creative freedom to pursue the stories I care about – so long as I can find funding. I’ve been fortunate to learn from many talented peers along the way.

One of the biggest challenges is getting your work into competitive festivals and securing distribution. I’m grateful Final Vows was picked up by First Run Features, a respected distributor. But navigating the landscape is never easy.

Do you have any advice for emerging creators?

Start close to home – with a subject you know well, a small and dedicated team, and a modest budget. And then: be patient, and persevere.

What’s next for you?

Right now, I’m in post-production on Whose Land? O’odham Land!, which will air on U.S. public television in early 2026. I’m co-directing it with Mike Wilson, and it explores the cultural impact of the border wall on Indigenous lands in Arizona and Mexico.

I’m also developing a new documentary idea focused on women’s labor in a specific industry, the community culture those women sustain, and how climate change is beginning to threaten their way of life. It’s still early days, and I’m currently seeking funding.

You’ve been co-curating Mexican cinema for years, and you're now working on Whose Land? O’odham Land! What drew you to these stories and communities?

My mother was Austrian, my father American, and I grew up in Washington, D.C., surrounded by diverse cultural influences. In college, I studied art and discovered art house cinema while abroad in England. A film appreciation class opened my eyes to the idea that film programming could be a career.

In the late 1980s, I began curating films in Baltimore. From the start, I was committed to highlighting diverse perspectives and offering cinema that speaks to the communities I serve.

When Amores Perros reached the U.S. in 2000, it was a revelation. I saw a bold new voice in Mexican cinema emerging. Soon after, I moved to Tucson, Arizona, and asked myself: What cinema is most relevant here? The answer was clear – Mexican cinema. For over 20 years now, I’ve been co-curating Mexican film with Carlos Gutiérrez, director of Cinema Tropical.

Living in Tucson, you can’t ignore the complex realities of the U.S.–Mexico border. Through my work at the University of Arizona’s film institute, I’ve had the opportunity to learn about local Indigenous nations – especially the Tohono O’odham.

When the national conversation around the border wall intensified, I noticed most narratives focused on environmental impact. But I saw another story: the cultural and spiritual harm inflicted on Indigenous communities whose ancestral lands the wall cuts through.

That realization led me to collaborate with Mike Wilson, a Tohono O’odham humanitarian and activist. Our upcoming documentary, Whose Land? O’odham Land!, centers Indigenous voices and examines the deeper legacy of the border.

At HerVoice Media, we’re proud to spotlight creators like Victoria Westover – women whose work amplifies voices, bridges cultures, and invites us into quiet, powerful stories. If you want your work to be featured, please fill in this registration form.