Today we’d like to introduce you to Sabrina Dubner.
Hi Sabrina, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
The arts have always felt like home to me. From a young age, I was surrounded by music, movies, theater—and my mom’s camcorder. At just four years old, I would bring that camcorder to friends’ houses, pop in a blank disk, and direct short films and music videos. What began as childhood play quickly evolved into a lifelong passion that continues to shape my journey today.
In middle school, I took a deep dive into storytelling. I created a live-action spinoff of the cartoon “The Loud House”, which ran for three seasons—thanks to my persistent directing and some very patient friends. During this time, I taught myself how to shoot, direct, and edit—all using just an iPad. I also launched a YouTube channel, which grew to over 8 million views and 25,000 subscribers. Through this process, I expanded my technical skills with cameras, equipment, and post-production editing. With support from my dad, I formed an LLC, which I named SADUB Entertainment.
Acting had always been a core passion—I participated in every school play and musical I could, and I attended Bak Middle School of the Arts as a vocal major. Bak had a profound impact on my personal and artistic growth, offering incredible opportunities to perform at prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall, the Flagler Museum, Stetson University, and the Christmas party at Trump International Golf Club. I continued my education at American Heritage High School on a musical theater scholarship.
The COVID-19 pandemic deepened my love for film. With little else to do, I began binge-watching movies, starting with “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl”. I vividly remember pointing at the screen and asking my parents, “How can I do that?” That moment sparked my journey into filmmaking and screen acting. During my high school years, I signed with a professional agent and booked roles on union film and TV sets. This gave me invaluable on-set experience and insight into the professional industry.
Throughout high school, I remained deeply involved in both acting and filmmaking. I competed with the Thespian Society, joined my school’s broadcasting program, and submitted short films to festivals, earning accolades at the state, national, and international levels. I was honored to receive “Best High School Short Film” at the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival and was later named a finalist for the Burt Reynolds Scholarship at Florida’s Student Showcase of Films, where I ultimately placed second and received the Sara Fuller Scholarship—an affirmation of my chosen path.
The summer before starting at SCAD brought an unexpected and exciting opportunity: the viral “Zepotha” TikTok film competition, inspired by an artist’s new album and the concept of an ’80s horror slasher. A friend sent me the competition just five days before I left for college, and we immediately jumped into production. The film’s success and my win reignited my YouTube channel, now rebranded as a film production company. Since then, my Zepotha projects have amassed over 75,000 views and expanded my following across all platforms.
Now finishing my sophomore year at SCAD, I’m pursuing tracks in producing, directing, and acting. This year alone, I’ve acted in MFA films and passion projects, produced three senior thesis films and two independent projects, and continued growing my production company—which now boasts over 40 million views and 97,000 followers across all platforms.
From camcorder days to professional sets, this journey has been anything but linear—but every step has reinforced that storytelling is not only my passion, but my purpose.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My journey has been anything but smooth, and like many pursuing a career in the arts, I’ve faced my share of uncertainties. One of the biggest challenges has been navigating the inherent instability that often comes with creative fields—periods of unemployment, dry spells, and the unpredictable nature of opportunities. From a young age, I knew I wanted to work in live theater or film and television, but the fear of not having a “secure” path always lingered.
Another personal struggle was managing my social image in the digital space. As my online presence grew, I worried that having a following on social media might cause others to perceive me more as an influencer than as a serious filmmaker, director, or actress. I was determined to present myself professionally and be taken seriously in the industry. Over time, however, building my own production company and growing an engaged audience helped me realize that these two worlds don’t have to be at odds. In fact, my platform has become an asset, allowing me to market my work, connect with collaborators, and remain creatively independent.
One of the most formative setbacks I experienced was being denied admission to FSU’s film school—a moment that felt devastating at the time. But looking back, it was a redirection rather than a rejection. Attending SCAD has proven to be one of the best things that’s happened to me. The incredible professors, professional connections, state-of-the-art resources, and even a film festival just ten minutes from my dorm have made this experience feel like exactly where I’m meant to be.
Though the road hasn’t always been easy, every obstacle has shaped me into a more resilient, resourceful, and confident artist—and for that, I’m truly grateful.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At my core, I’m a director, actress, and producer—with a growing passion for cinematography (I still have a lot to learn, but I’m eager and hands-on!). I’m the founder of SADUB Entertainment, an independent production company that has allowed me to bring my creative vision to life across a range of projects.
One of the accomplishments I’m most proud of is my high school indie film Zepotha, which was created on a $50 budget. From pre-production to shooting, we had just five days to make it happen, and the final cut ran 25 minutes. I assembled a small group of friends, grabbed my camera, and we dove in. I took on nearly every behind-the-scenes role—director, writer, cinematographer, production designer, editor—and also acted in the film. It was a fast-paced, high-pressure experience with a two-week turnaround, but it pushed me to my creative and logistical limits and remains one of my most rewarding challenges to date.
I’m also incredibly proud of how my digital presence has grown over the past year and a half. Through social media, I’ve built a supportive and engaged audience, collaborated with fellow filmmakers and creators, secured brand partnerships, and found a platform to share my work with tens of thousands of viewers. At its core, film is about connection—about creating something that resonates with others—and it’s been so meaningful to see my work reach people across the world.
What sets me apart is my willingness to do it all—from writing and directing to editing and promoting—and my belief that you don’t need a massive budget or crew to tell a powerful story. I’m self-employed, self-motivated, and constantly learning—and I bring that drive and resourcefulness to every project I take on.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
One thing that often surprises people is just how versatile I am behind the scenes. While I’m known primarily as a producer within SCAD’s film department—thanks to several producing courses and hands-on experience—what many don’t realize is that I also have training in advanced cinematography, I edit my own work, I act in nearly every opportunity I can, I sing, and I single handedly manage my production company, SADUB Entertainment. That means no social media manager, no outside content creators—just me, doing it all.
Another fun and unexpected fact: Vince Vaughn once watched one of my high school films! He was touring my school with his children in 2022 and asked my broadcasting teacher if we had a film department. My teacher showed him The Interns, a short film I created, and afterward, Vince Vaughn called the plot twist “dastardly” and complimented the film. My dad was so excited that he printed a picture of him and taped it to my bedroom wall with a cartoon speech bubble that reads, “The Interns was amazing!”
And going even further back—my first-ever film festival submission was in 5th grade. Tim Burton visited my hometown and hosted a horror film competition where he promised to watch every entry. I created and submitted a horror short filmed on my iPad during a family trip to Wyoming, with my brothers as the cast. That early experience planted the seed for everything I’m doing now.
Pricing:
- 2.99 YouTube Membership on SADUB Entertainment
- 0.99 Subscription to SADUB Entertainment Instagram
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sadubentertainment.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sadubentertainment/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabrina-dubner-1bb655333
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC17_RPd9DuRTZfP-cZh6_IQ
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@sadubentertainment
