Interview with Anna Wilding: A Visionary Leader in Film and Philanthropy

Anna Wilding an acclaimed American and global executive leader, is also an award-winning director, producer, and photographer, renowned for her influential work including in the entertainment industry such as studio and arthouse movies, digital media, commercials, branding and theatre. A career distinguished by  creative and executive successes including creative work with major entities such as Disney, Warner Bros, and Coca-Cola.

Some of Anna’s work is archived in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Library, underscoring her significant contributions to film and media. A vocal advocate against racism and for women’s rights, she integrates these themes into her professional projects, promoting equality and awareness. Her photographic collection, “Celebrate Hope: The White House Collection,” has received critical acclaim and is exhibited globally. Beyond her creative endeavors, Anna Wilding is a seasoned consultant and keynote speaker, sharing her expertise at prestigious venues like the Cannes Film Festival  and various American and global forums. Dedicated to lifelong learning and mentorship, Anna continues to inspire and lead in every facet of her multifaceted career.

Can you share what initially drew you to the film and photography industry, and how your early experiences shaped your career path? 

From a young age, I was fascinated by the world at large  and the power of photography and visual storytelling. My passion wasn’t just for film or photography in isolation; it was the ability to  capture and create moments that tell stories, evoke emotions, and provoke thought,. When everyone at school was drawing Cinderella, I drew a globe,the world with trees —I wanted to save the world. I can still see that picture clearly to this day. This vision has propelled my career, driving me to explore diverse roles across the globe and ensuring that whatever I do, it has a profound and positive impact on the communities involved and of course the audience.

Throughout your illustrious career, you’ve worked with many large brands what has been your approach to maintaining creative integrity while managing the commercial expectations? 

Maintaining creative integrity in the face of commercial pressure at times can be challenging depending on the way it’s funded and it’s medium. As a professional though it is just something you take in your stride. Whether it is commercial, music video, narrative feature film , documentary, still photography or artwork. All require different creative and technical tool sets and some modes have large teams. Obviously when I take photos, unless for  a commercial client and shooting to a brief,  it is just me. When I make a commercial there is a whole team, the brand and the ad agency to think about. Same with music videos – there is the record label and the artist. When the artist goes with your pitch and both the artist and label gives you full creative freedom that’s the best spot to be in. I have been in that fantastic spot with Warner Music before. In movies it is about the script. In commercials about the product and brand. My approach has always been to stay true and stay grounded. Focus on the work.  It’s about finding that balance and negotiating wisely to keep the project’s heart intact while satisfying commercial goals. Look I had a studio once wanting to put a celebrity “front piece” for 5 minutes on a completed film of mine, Brad Pitt to be exact, but it would have totally distracted from the authenticity of the story. I decided not to sign the project with that studio and I signed with another  studio a month later. The film,  was a critical  success and a commercial success for the size of its budget – it 10x .

As a known advocate for people from all cultural backgrounds and women’s rights, how do you integrate these important themes into your professional endeavors? 

Whether it’s in casting, crew selection, subject matter, storyline or storytelling, or company structure, I actively make decisions that reflect these values. For example, pay parity and equal opportunity are non-negotiable when I’m leading a project. By setting such standards, I hope to have forged a path and set an example for others in the industry, showing that equitable practices can and do result in superior outcomes. I spoke to it at the Directors Guild on the East Coast years ago and I know that moment  helped production companies and brands further along in hiring more women directors. There is still much progress to be made.

You’ve mentioned facing significant gender bias in your career. Can you describe a specific instance and how you turned that challenge into an opportunity for growth or change? 

One stark instance, in fact this happened twice. I had companies doing well and I needed to scale. I was outright told by banks that they “do not fund women in business,” despite my proven track record and turning up with accountants in both instances. It was a shocking and disheartening experience. However, it spurred me to become even more involved in advocating for women in business. These experiences have helped me to mentor young women and use my position to challenge and change these archaic views wherever I encounter them.

Your work in the  White House is both celebrated and deeply personal. What inspired you to capture “Celebrate Hope: The Obama White House Collection,” and what do you hope viewers take away from it? 

The Obama presidency was a time of significant change and hope for many, and I felt compelled to capture the essence of this era. What I witnessed in the White House towards the Obama’s made me pick up the camera again and move that axis, make change. It did  make an impact and create change, through my exhibits, and in other ways. “Celebrate Hope” is a project born out of a profound respect for the office and the individual. Through my lens, I offered an intimate, behind-the-scenes look at life within the White House and the humanity of an era. I hope it serves as a reminder of the power of leadership and the impact of empathy and integrity in governance. I actually stayed on for a bit of the first President Trump presidency too.

As an expert in crisis and ethics management, what guiding principles do you rely on when navigating complex situations in both your creative and executive roles? 

I often get hired to solve problems. In crisis and ethics management, transparency, knowledge, and integrity are my guiding principles. It’s about making sustainable decisions that not only solve immediate problems but also uphold the ethical standards expected of leaders. This means being honest, companies and individuals admitting mistakes when they happen, learning from it, correcting it and doing the right thing, even when it’s the harder path.

Your entrepreneurial spirit is evident in the tech exit you had in the late 1990’s and skincare brand you founded in 2012. What drives you to diversify your career in such a way, and how do you manage the challenges of entering new industries? 

I thrive on innovation. I come up with ideas. I execute solutions.  It’s one of the reasons I get hired. I definitely like and choose to do more than one thing in life and I have the capacity to do so. The world is big, full of possibilities.Why limit yourself. I don’t see why I should limit myself to just one area. Hollywood drove me, worked me really hard, when I was young. At one point, I was working three jobs in production companies at once. Day and night. My expertise in film spans over decades. I never viewed film through the “lens “ of “stardom”.  I’ve always approached it from a different angle. I never meant to be in “Hollywood” ,  other people expected it of me. Film  for me is a craft, and is about telling  stories that matter . I relish the challenge of new industries and applying my insights in novel settings.  My drive to diversify stems from an entrepreneurial spirit and to drive innovation and change. I like to make a tangible and meaningful impact in areas I know I can. I like to use my expertise to drive innovation and change. It’s invaluable. Even in film I have been at the forefront of some pioneering technology that impacts our world today.

You’ve achieved a lot professionally and personally. How do you define ‘success’ for yourself at this stage in your life? 

I have been working since a teenager. My road is unique. Success for me has evolved over the years. It has never been about accolades and has always been about the impact I can have. Whether it’s helping an individual, influencing an industry, or contributing to societal change, success is about making a difference. It’s also about inner peace and being true to my  values, knowing that I’ve stayed my course ethically and compassionately.

In what ways do you continue to push the boundaries of your professional and creative capabilities? 

I push boundaries by constantly challenging myself to step out of my comfort zone and by embracing technologies and ideas that could revolutionize our industry and our world.But also questioning the merit of those advancements and whether their impact will be positive.  Whether it’s through immersive storytelling, exploring new mediums like virtual reality over 20 years ago, or integrating and discussing and debating the use of AI in creative processes, I look to what’s next up, ensuring that my work not only adapts to the changing landscape but also helps shape it if need be.

Looking forward, what are some goals or projects you are most excited about? I am excited about where technology is taking our world but also about how to harness that energy correctly.

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