Grace Schnitzius is multi-talented filmmaker who has already made a name for herself by writing, directing, and starring in Maybe Tomorrow Will Be Better. The film explores the painful reality of bullying and anxiety through the eyes of a high school girl, a story inspired by Grace’s own experiences. Premiering at the Orlando Independent Filmmakers Festival, it has already earned Grace accolades, including a Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a Short Film.
Grace’s journey is one of perseverance, creativity, and self-belief. Her story reflects the realities of navigating a competitive field, all while handling the complex roles of writer, director, producer, and actress. She embodies the courage it takes to transform personal struggles into meaningful art while balancing the many roles required to bring a project to life. Her success offers a reminder that with determination, authenticity, and unwavering effort, aspiring filmmakers can take control of their stories and make a lasting impact.
Photo credit : Tomasso Boddi
Maybe Tomorrow Will Be Better is such a powerful and poignant film. What inspired you to create a story about the struggles of a teenage girl dealing with anxiety and bullying?
“Maybe Tomorrow Will Be Better is actually based on my own life. I experienced bullying most of my life and I was diagnosed with anxiety when I was 8 years old. This story was inspired by the first time I was bullied in high school. I had gone into high school thinking it was going to be different and I was going to have a fresh start since I was at the same school for pre-k-8th grade and I was finally somewhere new. But this instance really tore me down because I thought I had escaped the bullying only for it to become worse. As an artist, I like to take the bad things that happen to me and turn them into something good. I wanted to create this film to show people that they aren’t alone and that they do matter regardless of what other people say.”
As an actress, writer, director, and producer, you've taken on multiple roles in this film. How did wearing so many hats influence your creative process, and what challenges did you face balancing these responsibilities?
“This was the first time I had ever written, directed, and produced a project, so it was very new to me and a lot of work. I loved getting to be able to bring my vision to life and have a say in all aspects of the film. It was challenging because I really didn’t have anyone to help me so I was constantly figuring things out on my own as I went. I spent many long nights trying to figure out what shot works best for a particular moment or how that scene should be cut, etc., but it was all worth it seeing the finished result and hearing how this film impacted others.”
What was the most rewarding part of the filmmaking process for you, from writing the script to seeing the final product come to life on screen?
“The most rewarding part for me was definitely hearing the feedback. So many people told me that this story touched them in ways they hadn’t been touched by films before. This means so much to me because that is exactly how I wanted people to feel. I am so grateful that people loved watching my film just as much as I enjoyed making it.”
Your performance in the film has earned you multiple nominations and awards. How has the recognition you’ve received for Maybe Tomorrow Will Be Better influenced your aspirations in acting, directing, and producing?
“I am so honored to have been awarded a Young Artist Academy Award for my performance in this short film. That truly means so much to me. This has shown me that I am right where I need to be in life and has reminded me that although this industry can be tough, I do belong. I am enough. I am continuing to audition and act in projects and I definitely want to direct and produce more projects when I am older. For now, I am focusing on my acting career”
Creating a film at your age is a remarkable achievement. What advice would you give to other young people who aspire to take charge of their creative visions and bring their stories to the screen?
“ Thank you so much! I would tell other young people that if they love something and really want to do it, go for it! It’s going to be a lot of work, but don’t give up because in the end it will all be worth it.”
For those who haven’t yet seen Maybe Tomorrow Will Be Better, how would you describe the film and the message you hope to convey through Lilly's journey?
“I would say that Maybe Tomorrow Will Be Better is a story of hope. It follows Lilly, a teenager in high school with crippling anxiety, who is experiencing bullying. We see in one afternoon how bullying can completely tare someone down and how hard it can be for them to fight to be okay again, especially when they are already dealing with mental illness. Lilly has to find the strength to continue on and hope that there are better days ahead. This is all she can do. Hope that maybe tomorrow will be better and believe that, eventually, it will be.
I hope to show people through this film that they are not alone, no matter how alone they might feel. You do matter and it will get better. I still have to remind myself of this every day.”
Watch Maybe Tomorrow Will Be Better at https://youtu.be/zKysTnhz9-I?si=2_Gn4JtYhlzwklXA
Follow @graceschnitzius and @maybetomorrowwillbebetter on Instagram for updates and the latest news about the film
Heart Of Hollywood Magazine Contributor Jessica Ross
Since August 2022, Jessica Ross has been a contributor at Heart of Hollywood Magazine. Recent work includes Hollywood Unexpected airing on the XOTV Network digitally and broadcast and a starring role in the upcoming suspense thriller, Mr. Smith. Recently, she was a lead and co-producer in "Chasing Stars", a comedic-drama with an all female cast and crew.
Center Stage, Vegas Unlimited, Indie Activity, Action Magazine, Voyage LA, Cinderella of New York, Juwai, Bizbooast, Heart of Hollywood, JAMO Magazine, Entertainment Network Live, It Can By You, Livein Style Magazine, BuzzFeed and CBS are just a few of the media outlets she has been featured on.
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