"I'm just me.
I'm a creative
with a strategic
mind and an
interpersonal heart."
Monique Carchi is a Filipino/Ecuadorian filmmaker and advertiser native to Queens, New York. She was raised in an all-Filipino household by a single mother who asked her only once if she’d “like to be a nurse”, and thankfully never asked again. 😂
She aims to tell unique and impactful stories that push the boundaries of traditional tropes in storytelling, most especially for women, POC, and LGBTQ+ communities. She loves creative and exciting stories but also loves stories that explore realistic narratives that question society and how these aforementioned minority groups navigate through their stereotypes. Many of Monique’s ideas and projects center around fem protagonists, positioned in villainous or rebellious tropes, or challenge the notion of happy endings. Quite the opposite of the films Monique grew up loving and idolizing.
As a graduate of the City College of New York (CUNY) in Film Production and Advertising/ PR, Monique understands stories beyond the creative side. She looks at the world through an amalgamated lens of creative and strategy. She has a real passion for how stories can impact people and loves the resonance that media can leave audiences with. Throughout her academic career, she has advocated for creative exploration in the advertising industry even in the most strategic and data-driven roles, and has challenged her fellow filmmakers to look beyond their vision into the business side. Monique believes there to be an ultimate power between a balance of creative and strategy.
During her college days, Monique produced her fellow filmmaker's short films and three seasons of the ‘Where We Fit’ podcast, as CCNY's American Advertising Federation President 2020-2021. Her short thesis film, “I’m Sorry.” won her 'Best Director' in Fiction at the 2022 Reel City Film Festival at Lincoln Center. She went viral on TikTok as she promoted the film for a local screening at the BK Mini Film Fest, helping to sell out the event! She simultaneously won her senior capstone project, an Integrated Marketing Campaign, and a pitch for CCNY's Continuing Professional Studies. She spent the summer after graduation, interning for The Walt Disney Studios.
Monique considers herself an all-around production, advertising, and creative lead, as she has a diverse set of skills and experiences. She's comfortable in roles where she wears many hats, and loves the excitement of utilizing all of her skills in projects! As a Producer, she is naturally a project manager, strategist, and creative. She's currently working as a Freelancer, and producing the short film, “Where Do You Draw The Line?”. Although Monique is exploring some exciting producing opportunities, she is set on entering the media and advertising industry as a production or project coordinator. Her goal is to learn more about managing projects and productions at a higher level to improve her expertise. That includes trying all sorts of new roles, industries, and skills. Part of being a producer is executing things you've never done before, doing it well, and pretending you've been the expert all along. Monique's dream is to one day produce the next BIG thing, and start her media & advertising company!