Camila Basora-Oliveira

Current Employer/Organisation Name

DNEG

What have you been doing since leaving Exeter, and what are you doing now?

After leaving Exeter, I completed my MA International Film Business studies in London at London Film School (LFS), where I graduated with distinction. Shortly after arriving in London and throughout my studies at LFS, I began producing short films as a one-(wo)man production team. I single-handedly produced six short films and was the production manager on two more in the span of two years, all the while balancing a separate, full-time production role at a VFX studio.

My proof-of-concept short “Dance with the Devil”, participated in the 2022 Catalan Audiovisual’s Talent Week Pitching Session and had its world premiere at the 2024 edition of MOTELX, a member festival of the Méliès Federation. “Dance with the Devil” is a favorite among peers and is in development for a feature film.

I also produced an LGBTQ+ drama short titled “Love Lost,” which had its world premiere at the 2024 edition of the BIFA-qualifying Brighton Rocks International Film Festival. It has had a successful festival run, with three award nominations at the 2024 Greenwich Film Festival and winning Best Director at the 2025 Big Fridge Film Festival and Best Actor at the 2025 Hidden Film Festival.

While fostering my producing career, I’ve worked full-time in a production role at DNEG’s Stereo department, with credits including The Meg 2: The Trench (2023), The Garfield Movie (2024), How to Train Your Dragon (2025), and Superman (2025).

I recently relocated to Portugal where I plan to establish my own production company, Phi Media. With Phi Media, I plan to continue working in an international capacity to produce high-quality commercial, film, and digital content, with Dance with the Devil being one of the first films on my narrative slate.

Why did you choose this career? And what do you enjoy most about your work?

I grew up with a “film bro” brother and his group of “film bro” friends (who became my friends as well). As a result, I spent a lot of time growing up watching films and naturally developed the idea of working within the film industry.

I specifically chose production as the path within the industry because I felt producing perfectly fulfills my creative itch and type-A nature.

It’s difficult to pick just one thing I enjoy most about producing. I love the amount of creative collaboration that is involved and being able to guide a project from a mere concept to a full-fledged, tangible product. I love how producing leads me to meet so many different people with different backgrounds and experiences. As a big planner, I love all the organization and spreadsheets required throughout the process. For a final, more specific, aspect that I like about producing, I honestly love the location scout/recce phase of pre-production. It forces me to discover new places I would’ve never discovered on my own.

What did you enjoy most about your programme and what was the biggest highlight?

One of the key aspects that sold me on the MA International Film Business programme was the dual city experience in the quieter countryside in Exeter and in the mega-urban and cultural hub that is London.

The biggest highlight was being able to connect with all the other students and filmmakers at London Film School. The people I met have become lifelong friends and have formed the foundation of my professional network. Without these connections I made, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

What did you most enjoy about studying here?

What I enjoyed most about studying in Exeter was the city itself and being a part of a school campus again.

Why did you choose to study at Exeter?

I chose to study at Exeter because of my particular course. I was looking for a film program that focused on the business side of the industry rather than another creative production course. I also really liked the opportunity to study at two prestigious institutions and experience two different English cities.

What skills and experiences have been most useful for your career?

Proactivity; determination; perseverance; critical thinking; openness to collaboration; and the ability to absorb and break down large overwhelming, concepts into smaller, feasible objectives have all been very important soft skills to develop.

I wouldn’t be where I am today in my career without the experience I had with the MA International Film Business programme. The course gave me a very well-rounded foundational knowledge of how the film industry works and how I should orient myself to get my career going. The people I met through the course have become the people I have and continue to work and collaborate with — without them I wouldn’t have the production experience I’ve gained up to this point. Lastly, the knowledge of how to put together a good pitch deck has been priceless.

What advice would you give to a current student who wishes to pursue your career?

Practice resilience, persevere, and know your own self-worth. It is not an easy career or industry at all. You will hear no’s, receive rejections, and feel imposter syndrome. This is a standard experience for anybody starting out, especially in a creative industry like film. Trust yourself and what you know, and keep moving forward with your goals.

Additionally, what you get out of any experience is what you put in. If you put minimal effort into your experiences or expect opportunities to suddenly come knocking on your door, you won’t go anywhere. Put in the effort and the work and take full advantage of any opportunity you can.

What are your plans for the future?

I plan on opening my own production company in the next year, offering audiovisual services for commercial, film, and digital content. With the film division of the company, I hope to contribute towards the growth of the Portuguese film industry and collaborate with international filmmakers through co-productions.