Alexandra Santana
Current Employer/Organisation Name
Minervas Films (@MinervasFilmRD)
What have you been doing since leaving Exeter, and what are you doing now?
I am a communicator and film producer specializing in International Film Business, with a Distinction-awarded master’s degree from the London Film School and the University of Exeter. With over 10 years of professional experience, I have excelled in communication, film production, studio operations at Pinewood Dominican Republic Studios, and academic management at the Cyber Park Film School. As a co-founder and creative producer of Minervas Producciones (@minervasfilmrd), a women-led collective in the Dominican Republic, I am dedicated to telling impactful stories centered on social justice, gender, and politics. Her work reflects a commitment to amplifying underrepresented voices and fostering meaningful dialogue.
In 2022, I was selected for the Guadalajara Talents production section at the Guadalajara International Film Festival and the Locarno Match Me! Programme (Switzerland). In 2023, I joined the Locarno Industry Academy, an intensive workshop focused on sales and distribution for emerging professionals (Bogotá, Colombia).
I recently released the feature documentary Here We Are, a Fonprocine-winning project and the first audiovisual production in the Dominican Republic to implement a green protocol during filming. Currently, I am producing Under the Same Sun, a feature fiction co-produced with Spain now in post-production, and Without a Name, a project selected for La Fabrique Cinéma de l’Institut Français at Cannes in 2020. This co-production with France and Mexico has received support from both the Ibermedia Development and Co-Production Funds.
My passion for sustainability drives mywork. In 2024, I completed a Sustainability Management for the Media Industry course in Vienna, Austria, integrating eco-conscious practices into my productions. My vision combines ethical storytelling with innovative production approaches, positioning me as a forward-thinking leader in the global film industry.
Why did you choose this career? And what do you enjoy most about your work?
I chose the MAIFB to gain industry expertise in the film business and a deep understanding of the film industry’s business side, including financing, distribution, marketing, and sales (film festivals). Also, the Master helped me navigate the Global Film Landscape because it emphasized the industry’s international nature and taught me how to manage coproductions, negotiate international deals and tap into funding and market opportunities worldwide. The networking with peers, professors, and guest speakers opened the door to collaborations and career opportunities that I still have. The skills that I developed after the MAIFB are versatile, and I have applied them in multiple roles within my career path.
Please tell us if you were a member of any societies, groups or sports clubs?
I was a member of the French Society, but I couldn’t attend that much after we moved to London. I became a MAIFB ambassador, which I still am.
Were you part of the Exeter Student Ambassador Scheme at any point during your studies?
Yes
What did you enjoy most about your programme and what was the biggest highlight?
The MA offered a perfect blend of business, production, and development, ensuring strategic skills to position you as a global player. I liked that it stayed ahead of industry trends, keeping us on track and preparing us to adapt and innovate, especially in the shifting distribution model’s scheme.
What did you most enjoy about studying here?
The combination of the two campuses: the huge and lovely one at Exeter’s and the noisy, hectic, and artistic London at the LFS.
Why did you choose to study at Exeter?
When I assessed the options, this programme was more completed
What skills and experiences have been most useful for your career?
Negotiation skills and an understanding of the film industry’s business side, including financing, distribution, marketing, and sales (film festivals and markets).
What advice would you give to a current student who wishes to pursue your career?
The programme and all the learnings are just a tiny bite. You have to do the rest. Be curious, read, and get to know people. Networking and our professional circle are 90% of the success.
What are your plans for the future?
My plans for the future are closely tied to the mission of Minervas Films (@MinervasFilmRD), my production company founded in 2020. We are committed to telling impactful stories centred around social justice, gender, and politics. We aim to expand our reach, collaborate on more international co-productions and establish Minervas as a leading voice for underrepresented perspectives in the film industry.
Looking ahead, I want to position Minervas as a model for how the creative industries in the Caribbean and Latin America can integrate sustainability without compromising artistic vision. Combining our passion for storytelling with a commitment to reducing our environmental impact. I believe we can inspire a cultural shift in how films are made and distributed.
