From Florianópolis to Mentoring YCP Students

Filmmaking is deeply personal, shaped by experiences, culture, and the people who inspire us along the way. In this Q&A, filmmaker and YCP mentor Felipe Mucci reflects on how growing up in Florianópolis, Brazil, has influenced his storytelling, the challenges and rewards of working across multiple roles in the industry, and the themes that drive his work. From exploring moral dilemmas on screen to directing a major TV series, he shares insights into his creative process, the lessons learned from a film-centric upbringing, and the passion that keeps him pushing forward.

How has your cultural background from Florianópolis, Brazil, influenced your storytelling style?

Growing up in Florianópolis gave me a ton of unique experiences. But honestly, it’s not just about the city – Brazil itself is a place of contrasts, where everything is felt in extremes. I’ve had amazing moments growing up there, but I’ve also faced some tough situations. Both sides of that journey have shaped me and definitely influenced the films I make and the stories I’m drawn to tell.

You’ve worked as an actor, writer, director, and producer – what role feels most natural to you, and why?

I love being involved in every part of a film set. Growing up in a family of filmmakers and wearing many different hats really helped me appreciate everyone’s role and how important each piece is to the bigger picture. That said, if I had to pick a favorite, it’d be directing. There’s something amazing and exciting about shaping a world through my own experiences and perspective.

Coming from a film-centric family, what’s the most valuable lesson or advice you’ve received?

The most valuable asset I’ve gained from being part of a film-centric family is knowing the value of everyone’s job on set – and how to do it – which makes a huge difference. It’s always easier to bring out the best in someone when you understand where they’re coming from and can speak their language. And I think the best advice I’ve received is to take risks, embrace failure, and make mistakes based on my own choices, not anyone else’s.

You co-wrote and directed Detained, now on Paramount+. What drew you to this story, and what was the creative process like?

All my films and projects revolve around characters who either choose to – or are forced to – cross moral lines. They end up doing things they know aren’t right, but they do them anyway. Detained was no different. It’s about a woman thrown into a situation where the only way out is by breaking those moral boundaries. In the film, she crosses one line… and then quite a few more. But once she starts, she realizes there’s no turning back.

The creative process for Detained was honestly a dream. The producer handed me the script and gave me total freedom to shape it through my own perspective. The same thing happened during filming – I had full control. I can honestly say I made the film I wanted to make, and that’s not always the case in this industry.

You produced Bring It All Back Home – what excited you most about this project?

Bring It All Back Home was a project I was part of from the very beginning, and I had the pleasure of helping bring it to life. It was a passion project made by a small group of friends with one simple goal: to tell the best story we could. It was an amazing experience – one I hope to repeat soon. The story is about a man who left home in hopes of finding his place in the world, and after all was said and done, he realized everything he was searching for was right where everything started. I love the themes this project explored, and I feel like many people can connect with that. When I’m deciding if I’m going to work on a project, I always think of the themes and what the project is trying to say, and with Bring It All Back Home, it was no different.

You’re about to direct the entire second season of a TV show for MAX. We understand you can’t tell us which project, but can you tell us how you are approaching this new challenge?

This new project is based on real people and real lives that were lost. I always try to approach stories like this with honesty, ensuring that the families feel their experiences and loved ones are being respected. Yes, it’s still entertainment, but I believe you can honor the truth while telling a compelling story.

On top of that, I always go back to the basics. When facing a big challenge, it helps to break things down and tackle it piece by piece – otherwise, it can feel pretty overwhelming.

What have you learned from teaching kids filmmaking, and has it changed your own approach to storytelling?

Teaching young filmmakers for YCP has definitely reignited my passion for the whole process. This industry isn’t easy – it wears on you over time. But seeing their faces light up when they start filming is incredible. Watching the actors step into place, the sound and camera teams get ready, and the directors prepare – it’s a reminder of how magical it all is.

After doing this for so long, it’s easy to take those moments for granted. But seeing the kids experience it for the first time helped me remember why I fell in love with filmmaking in the first place. So maybe it hasn’t changed my approach, but it’s definitely made me fall in love with it all over again. Also, many of my students have pursued careers in film, so I can’t wait to bump into them on a set.