“Filmmaking is more than ‘a passion.’ It’s my life.” BELLA KING, 16, said it matter-of-factly, as befits someone who started acting at six and has been acting professionally since seven.
Recently at The Castaway, Bella was absolutely thrilled to win the “Los Angeles County Student Filmmakers Award” during the Closing Night Dinner and Gala Awards Show of the 6th Annual Burbank International Film Festival (BIFF.)
Her winning film, Unmatched, is about a young girl who has to deal with “the single worst day of her life.” In making it, Bella had to go beyond acting and tackle writing and directing. “I’ve been writing screenplays for the past several years,” Bella said. “ And my friends in the industry have really helped me to learn the craft.” (Fans will have to wait awhile to see Unmatched on YouTube; it’s competing in other film festivals.)
“I didn’t get a car on my 16th birthday. Instead I got a production company,” Bella continued. “My parents knew I want to have a multifaceted career.” Her acting career has certainly been versatile. Besides TV commercials, she’s had guest roles on Smallville and Eureka, as well as appearing in a 2012 episode of Leverage. On screen, Bella’s movie credits include roles in Beautiful Boy, Red Riding Hood and American Girls. In 2015, she’ll be in the feature The Gunrunner Billy Kane.
Bella had attended Burroughs early on, but her professional life has made home schooling necessary. All the same, she’s red, white and true blue to Burroughs, cheering on the teams and meeting friends at the social events.
She’ll be graduating this academic year. A year early.
And it looks like Bella’s also on the industry fast track.
Congratulations, and “Break a leg!”
Additional pictures from the closing events of this years Burbank International Film Festival, by our Chief Photographer Ross A. Benson
