The Future Is Femme-Led: A Q&A with Co-Founder Isa Barrett of Cherubs Productions

By Natalie McCarty

What happens when three teenage filmmakers meet at a summer arts program and never stop creating together? For Isa Barrett, Aliza Gandhi, and Lily Kaplan, that early connection became the foundation for Cherubs Productions: a femme-led creative collective rooted in collaboration, risk-taking, and genuine friendship.

What began as a way to support each other’s passion projects has grown into a vibrant production company championing the work of emerging voices in film, theater, and beyond. With a clear creative vision and a commitment to making space for others, Cherubs is reshaping what it means to be young and independent in the industry.

In this conversation, Isa Barrett reflects on the origins of Cherubs, the power of femme-led leadership, and how making space for others can be just as vital as building your own path. From shooting indie shorts on a shoestring budget to preparing for their first feature debut at Tribeca, this is a company fueled by joy, trust, and the belief that young artists deserve to be heard—and taken seriously.

Image Provided by Isa Barrett

Founding & Philosophy

What led you and your co-founders to start Cherubs Productions? Was there a moment when you all realized this was something you needed to build?

Lily, Aliza, and I met at a film summer program (Cherubs at Northwestern University) when we were 16 years old. It was the summer I learned to make movies. We wrote, produced, shot, and edited new projects every week. It was also the summer I met my best friends. Almost everyone from Cherubs is still pursuing a career in the media arts today, and all 30 of us still help each other create content.

Years later, I was at NYU Tisch, and Aliza and I were roommates. At the time, I was co-writing my first short film, Wisdom Teeth, with Lily. Aliza came on board to AD, and we made the film in July 2023 with a group of friends from Cherubs. We didn’t have much money, but we were all in. That project was a turning point—it showed us what we could do when we pooled our skills and resources.
After that, the three of us started sharing more of our work—scripts, sketches, pilot drafts. We realized we had complementary strengths and a shared vision. I had always wanted to start a production company, but it felt like something far away in the future. At the same time, we saw how hard it was for our peers to get their projects made or noticed, especially when you’re just starting out.

One weekend, Aliza and I were driving upstate, talking about how people often dismiss young creators. Then the car battery died. While we waited for AAA, I said, “What if we start a production company?” That night, we called Lily, and the three of us started outlining what it could be.

We named the company Cherub Productions because that summer program gave us the tools and the belief that we could make movies. That’s the core of what we do: support each other and our collaborators in getting things made.

The phrase “femme-led” is central to your identity—how does that manifest in your creative process and leadership style?

For us, being femme-led means leading with openness, awareness, and care. At Cherub Productions, we prioritize building thoughtful networks and fostering collaboration that’s rooted in curiosity and mutual respect.

Creatively, that often looks like working with friends, or with people whose work I admire and who eventually become friends. I’m drawn to collaborators who are developing a clear, personal voice. It’s always about the people first.

In terms of leadership, I see part of my role as a connector—bringing people together who might not otherwise cross paths. A big part of what we do at Cherubs is making space and providing access for emerging artists to realize their projects. It’s about building something sustainable, inclusive, and truly collaborative.

Image Provided by Isa Barrett

Cherubs champions the idea of “for young artists, by young artists.” What does that mean in the real, day-to-day work of the company?

From our writers to finance advisors, marketing strategy, and lighting designers, we’re giving real responsibility to young creatives. We’re all learning in real time and exchanging skills to help each other grow and develop as artists.

When we’re looking for scripts or directors, we talk to our friends and collaborators for suggestions, or we’ll see a show, love someone’s work, and just reach out. Our team stretches across New York, LA, and Chicago, and it’s been exciting to expand that network, to bring in young artists from across the country, and even internationally. The goal is to keep building a system where early-career creatives have the freedom and support to take real creative risks.

How do you define the mission of Cherubs today, and how has that evolved since the beginning?

When we started, we tried to say yes to everything, in the hopes of giving young people a platform to make their work. But as we’ve grown, we’ve come to understand how much dedication, patience, and time it takes to create something meaningful and high-quality. Today, we are focused on championing projects by young creators we’re genuinely excited to grow with and support over the long term.

Image Provided by Isa Barrett

Creative Process & Collaboration

What does a typical project look like from first idea to final form within Cherubs?

Every project looks a little different, which is part of what makes the work exciting. It depends on where we’re jumping in—sometimes it starts with a loose idea or an outline, and other times we’re brought on much later in the process, like during pre-production or even when a team is looking for distribution.

Personally, I love being involved early—helping writers shape a script and guiding a project from concept to production. As we’ve taken on more films and theater pieces, our workflow has naturally become more streamlined. We’ve gotten better at dividing responsibilities based on each team member’s strengths. It’s been a continuous learning process, and with every project, we become more efficient and intentional in how we collaborate.

Collaboration is clearly key to your ethos. How do you cultivate a space where every voice is heard and valued?

For us, it really starts with kindness and mutual respect. We try to strip away the idea of hierarchy on set. Yes, there are defined roles—director, writer, actor—but we believe great ideas can come from anyone. As a director, I think it’s important to be honest about what you don’t know and to ask for help when you need it.

We also make a point during pre-production to get to know everyone involved. That foundation helps create a space where people feel comfortable speaking up and taking creative risks. Making something together is inherently vulnerable, but it’s also more rewarding and more fun when it feels like you’re just creating with your friends.

What are some lessons you’ve learned from building a creative collective at a young age?

One of the biggest lessons has been not to let anyone put you in a box. Your strength comes from embracing the full range of your interests—not choosing between being a writer, actor, or director, but finding how those things intersect.

I’ve also learned the importance of patience. The creative world can make you feel like you need to be producing constantly, but balance is essential if you want to avoid burnout and make work that lasts.

Another big one: take yourself seriously. If you do, others will too. And always be kind. So much of this industry runs on relationships—reach out to people who inspire you, ask them to coffee, send the email, pitch the idea. Stay in touch with collaborators you genuinely enjoy working with, and show up for their work. People remember that.

Image Provided by Isa Barrett

Form, Genre & Style

You describe your work as genre-bending. How do you approach blending or disrupting traditional genres in your storytelling?

Our genre-bending style really comes from the mix of our backgrounds. Lily brings a love for horror and thrillers, with a director’s eye for mood and visuals. Aliza adds sharp comedy and a satirical edge from her stand-up and writing experience. I come from theater, so I’m focused on strong characters and emotional depth.

When we work together, we don’t set out to break genre rules intentionally—it just happens naturally. We’re each pulling from different creative toolkits to tell the most compelling story possible.

In what ways do you find film and theater speaking to each other in your work?

Film and theater constantly inform and elevate each other in my work. I’m drawn to the character’s journey and the moment when preparation meets performance—the kind of magic that happens in both mediums. Some of my favorite films feel very theatrical, and some of my favorite plays have been adapted into films. Ultimately, I focus on character and how the form serves the emotional truth of the story.

Are there particular themes, moods, or visual languages that feel distinctly Cherubs to you?

Cherubs is about capturing the playful spirit of the inner child through a dreamy, celestial lens, mixing surreal nostalgia with sharp, modern edges. We draw inspiration from creators like Nida Manzoor and Phoebe Waller-Bridge, as well as theater artists such as Jamie Lloyd, Jeremy O. Harris, and Clare Barron.

Visually, our influences range from the classical beauty and surreal details found in the work of Petra Collins, Vivian Maier, Salvador Dalí, and Caravaggio. Cinematically, depending on the project, we find inspiration in the styles of Yorgos Lanthimos and Sofia Coppola, while also layering in the heartfelt humor of Nora Ephron, Mindy Kaling, and Issa Rae.

What does risk look like in your work—and how do you embrace it?

To me, risk is being unafraid to make a choice and follow through with it. I love that this is what I get to do and the people I get to do it with, and that gets me through the moments of doubt and fear.

Image Provided by Isa Barrett

Community & Impact

How do you approach platforming new or underrepresented voices within your projects?

We’re always actively scouting new talent and expanding our network. Our goal is to bring in diverse voices and perspectives, which naturally leads to a richer, more meaningful body of work.

What role does community play in the life of your productions, both on and off stage/screen?

Community is central to everything I do as an artist. Creating without people to share it with feels meaningless. For me, success is really about investing time and care into relationships—those connections shape my humor, taste, and perspective. Leaning on each other, both on and off stage or screen, creates a space where vulnerability becomes a strength rather than a risk.

What do you hope young or emerging artists take away when they see something Cherubs has made?

Growing up, movies and theater gave me a sense of belonging and expanded my imagination. After one of our shows, a group of young girls told me they were inspired to gather their friends and create something of their own. Moments like that remind me why this work matters. Through Cherubs, I hope to offer that same feeling to others and inspire young artists to make their own work.

Image Provided by Isa Barrett

Looking Forward

What are you working on now that you're most excited about?

Our debut feature film Queerdos, written by Aliza (Gandhi), is heading to the 2025 Tribeca Creators Market! I’m obsessed with our team — we’ve had so much fun developing it. It’s also been such an honor to get to work with our director, Ryan Cunningham, who is such a role model to me. I’m producing and acting in it, along with Lilia Buckingham, Ruby Karp, and Aliza and I can’t wait to start filming soon!

What’s something Cherubs hasn’t done yet that you’re eager to explore—whether it’s a new medium, a new style, or a new kind of collaboration?

I’m really excited about our upcoming TV projects. While I can’t share too many details yet, one of the shows centers on ballet—a world I know well from my own professional training. I’m eager not only to experience working on a TV set and see how that process differs from our other projects, but also to find new ways to incorporate dance into our company’s work.

How do you hope to see the industry shift in the next five years, and where do you see Cherubs within that future?

I hope to see an abundance of new voices shaping the industry in the coming years, bringing fresh perspectives and stories to the forefront. At Cherubs, we’re currently working on a diverse slate of projects: a ballet-focused TV series, several comedy and rom-com movies, and a few thriller films, alongside numerous plays we plan to tour around NYC and London. We’re also developing some incredible multimedia shows and music videos. On a personal note, I’m in the process of writing a feature film that I hope to bring to life soon. I hope to write roles not only for myself but also for my friends, creating opportunities for us to act and collaborate.

What does “independence” mean to you as an artist and producer?

Freedom to not be afraid of someone saying “no”. I started Cherubs to create opportunities for myself and my friends. Now, when I’m auditioning, I feel like I can focus on crafting my character and enjoying that process, instead of feeling worried about rejection. It's incredibly freeing and rewarding.

Finally, what’s one piece of advice you wish someone had given you before you started Cherubs?

One piece of advice I wish I’d heard before starting Cherubs is that the journey rarely goes as you expect. But if you stay committed, work hard, and don’t give up, the outcome can be even more rewarding than you imagined.