Some people make a life in film; others lead lives worthy of a film. Lucia Mauro is one of those rare individuals to whom both sides of the cinematic coin apply. Mauro was an established Chicago-area writer when she made her first foray into moviemaking with a 2007 screenplay. It led her to a major crossroads professionally and personally, for as that project ramped up, Mauro was stricken with ovarian cancer.

Despite two recurrences, Mauro forged onward and upward with courage and confidence. She transitioned to full-time filmmaking as a writer-director along with husband-producer Joe Orlandino in 2014, the same year they founded a nonprofit film production company.