Alexander DeSouza, the filmmaker and editor behind HOLO, discusses his creative evolution, indie filmmaking challenges, and the pursuit of balance between art and ambition
Alexander DeSouza is a Canadian film and TV director, and editor. He has been working as an independent director and editor for nearly a decade. He first developed a love for filmmaking when he was a 12-year-old making home movies with family and friends.
As he neared the end of his time in high school, DeSouza realized he could turn filmmaking into a career. He went on to earn his BFA in Film from York University in Toronto, Canada.
However, his career really started while he was still in school, when he had the opportunity to do an internship as an assistant editor for a production company focusing on family entertainment.
After he graduated college, DeSouza found himself working as an assistant editor on documentaries, reality shows, and lifestyle shows. He has since transitioned into the world of feature films and narrative television. He works mostly in post-production, but still manages to sit in the director’s chair while continuing to work as an editor.
The following interview highlights the experiences of the multi-talented Alexander DeSouza.
You can read our review of his short film HOLO here.
INFLUX: What are you currently working on that you can share with us?
DeSouza: I am currently working as an editor/assistant editor on an upcoming, teen drama series for CBBC that filmed earlier this past summer and will be releasing early next spring 2026. I, unfortunately, cannot say anything else about this show at the moment since not a lot of information has been released publicly. Apart from that series, I’m also working on developing an 8-episode sci-fi drama thriller series called HOLO. It is based on a proof of concept short film I directed last year that will also be premiering soon on the festival circuit. Beyond both of those projects, I have a few feature films and other series-based projects in the works.
INFLUX: What are your hopes for this project, HOLO?
DeSouza: One of my hopes for HOLO is to be able to further develop it for a streaming service or network. We’ve received a lot of great interest from various networks and executives in the industry so I’m looking forward to adapting it into a series. Pitching a new original series can take a lot of effort and time and so I’m also learning to appreciate the journey and process in developing such a project.
INFLUX: What have been your greatest challenges as an indie filmmaker?
DeSouza: Money! I think not just for myself but also for a lot of other indie filmmakers too, being able to find the financing for projects, and also financially supporting yourself can be a challenge. This is especially in a time where there are so much short films, features, TV, and other content being made. For all the projects that I’ve directed, finding the financing and funding to produce those projects have always been one of my greatest challenges. I have also at the same time learned to be resilient in finding creative ways to finance indie projects. Such methods include crowdfunding and getting sponsorships. The other challenge I could say that I’ve faced as an indie filmmaker is getting “seen” which I think is quite important as an indie filmmaker. As I’ve mentioned before, there is so much content available for the public to watch and so one of the challenges I face constantly is figuring out new strategies in getting my content seen by the right audiences who will be most likely to engage and connect with it the most.
INFLUX: What has been your most significant accomplishment as a filmmaker?
DeSouza: I think directing my short film HOLO has been my most significant accomplishment so far. Making that short film took more than a year and involved many different resources and communication with creative teams from around the world. While I have made other short films that have premiered at big festivals, making this project at such a large scale in such a short amount of time was in itself a big accomplishment for me. Holo has yet to have a world premiere yet, but it’s a film i’m quite proud to have made and you’ll know why when you see it!
INFLUX: Tell us about some of your past projects and where we can watch them if they’re available?
DeSouza: All of my projects that have been released to the public can officially be viewed on my site at www.alexanderdesouza.com or on my Vimeo channel. A lot of my recent projects have been short film narratives that I’ve both directed and edited. A few highlights include directing the web-series pilot episode BACK TO ONE as well as the short film drama, SKIN, which premiered at the 23rd Toronto International Reel Asian Film Festival, and was featured on Film Shortage. I have also made a few short documentaries for our national broadcaster CBC Arts in Canada which can also either be viewed on my website or on CBC’s YouTube channel.
INFLUX: What goals to you have for yourself moving forward?
DeSouza: I’m currently at a point in my career where I’m transitioning into longer format projects, which includes working on narrative television and feature films. One of the goals I have for myself in the near future is to be able to gain more opportunities where I can pitch myself as a director and editor mostly in episodic television, where I think the bulk of the work currently exists for directors and editors. On the side however, another goal I have, currently, is to finalize development and production on my first feature film debut, and to screen it at a festival within a year or two.
INFLUX: What advice would you give to your younger self just starting out?
DeSouza: I think one piece of advice I’d tell my younger self, is to stop and take a break every once in a while during your journey of becoming a filmmaker. Making and creating films is a lifestyle choice and on the indie level it’s all about grinding out your next project. It can be exhausting! I’m a huge believer now that while achieving a goal is important, it’s more about enjoying and having valuable experiences along the way as a filmmaker. Great filmmakers are able to balance themselves in life and I think that is what makes for great films from great artists. This is advice that I’d definitely wish I’d known when I was younger but I’m glad to know now.
Want to learn more about him or follow the career of Alexander DeSouza?
Website: https://www.alexanderdesouza.com/
Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/desouzalex
IMDb Page: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7437338/
Instagram: @alexanderjdesouza
