Exploring Life & Business with Christina Wilson of Movies and Mocktails

Today we’d like to introduce you to Christina Wilson.

Hi Christina, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Honestly, I feel like my story has always been rooted in creativity. I grew up performing, storytelling, and finding ways to express myself through art. Over time, that turned into acting professionally, going on national tours, teaching, directing, producing, content creation, social media management… honestly a little bit of everything. I’ve always been someone who loved creating experiences and bringing people together.

I think what really shaped me was realizing I didn’t want to wait for opportunities forever. I wanted to create them too. That mindset led me to producing my own work, creating spaces for other artists, and eventually building things like Movies & Mocktails and The Eating Artist. A lot of what I do now comes from wanting artists to feel seen, supported, and inspired while also proving to myself that it’s possible to build a creative life on your own terms.

It definitely hasn’t been a straight line. There have been moments of burnout, moments where I questioned myself, moments where things didn’t work the way I hoped they would. But every experience honestly pushed me closer to understanding the kind of artist and creative leader I want to be.

Now I feel like I’m in this really beautiful season where all the different parts of me are finally connecting. The performer, the filmmaker, the producer, the teacher, the content creator. It all kind of lives together now, and I’m excited to keep growing from here.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Absolutely not. I don’t think the creative path is ever really a smooth road, especially when you’re trying to build things from the ground up with little to no blueprint. A huge part of my journey has been learning how to create anyway, even when I didn’t have the money, resources, connections, or confidence I thought I needed.

There were a lot of moments where I felt stretched really thin financially. I’ve funded so many of my own projects, events, productions, and ideas out of pocket simply because I believed in them enough to try. I’ve had moments of questioning if I was doing too much or if I was crazy for continuing to invest in creative ideas before seeing a return. Sometimes people only see the finished product and not the stress behind figuring out venues, marketing, equipment, food, ticket sales, or whether enough people will even show up.

I’ve also struggled with people not always understanding the way I do things. I care deeply about creating intentional spaces and experiences, and sometimes that means I move differently than what people expect. Not everyone understands community-centered creative work right away, and there have definitely been times where I felt misunderstood or doubted.

Another big struggle for me has honestly been asking for help. I’m so used to trying to carry everything myself because I want things done well and because I never want to feel like a burden to people. Even now, I still sometimes feel guilty asking people to volunteer, collaborate, support, or show up. But I’m learning that building community also means allowing people to pour into you too.

I think the biggest lesson through all of it has been learning that creativity requires vulnerability. You have to believe in something before everyone else sees it. And sometimes you have to keep going while things still feel uncertain. That part has been hard, but it’s also what’s made the journey meaningful.

We’ve been impressed with Movies and Mocktails , but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Movies & Mocktails is an intimate zero proof film experience created to bring filmmakers, creatives, and community together in a way that feels intentional, warm, and genuinely inspiring. At its core, it’s a space for storytelling and connection. We screen curated short films, host live talkbacks with directors and actors, serve handcrafted mocktails, and create an environment where people can actually engage with each other without the pressure that sometimes comes with traditional networking spaces.

What makes Movies & Mocktails different is that it was never created to just be another event. I really wanted to build something that felt personal. A lot of creatives, especially in cities like Atlanta, are constantly going to events where they feel like they have to perform or pitch themselves all night. I wanted this to feel different. Softer. More intentional. More community focused. You can come alone and leave having real conversations with people who genuinely care about film and creativity.

I think what we’ve become known for very quickly is the atmosphere. People constantly tell me that the room feels welcoming, inspiring, and creatively energizing. The talkbacks are a huge part of that too because audiences get the opportunity to hear directly from filmmakers about their process, struggles, and why they created what they created. It makes independent film feel accessible and human.

Brand wise, I’m honestly most proud of the community that’s forming around it. Seeing filmmakers trust me with their work, seeing recurring attendees bring friends back every month, seeing people collaborate after meeting at the event, all of that means everything to me. The event keeps growing, but I never want to lose the intimacy and care that built it in the first place.

I want people to know that Movies & Mocktails is more than a screening. It’s a creative experience built around film, conversation, and community. Whether you’re an artist, filmmaker, actor, or someone who simply loves storytelling, there’s a place for you in the room.

So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
There are honestly so many ways people can work with and support Movies & Mocktails, and that’s one of my favorite parts about building it. At the heart of everything, this brand is about collaboration and community.

Filmmakers can submit films to be screened and participate in our live talkbacks. I’m always looking for stories that feel intentional, creative, thought provoking, emotional, funny, honest, all of it. I love giving artists a space to share their work and connect directly with audiences.

Brands and businesses can collaborate through sponsorships, vendor activations, curated experiences, and community partnerships. As the event continues to grow, I’m really excited about bringing in brands that align with creativity, wellness, storytelling, and intentional community building. We’ve already started incorporating vendors, snacks, mocktail collaborations, and other interactive elements into the experience.

People can also support by simply showing up. Buying a ticket, sharing a post, inviting friends, reposting flyers, or telling someone about the event genuinely helps more than people realize. Independent creative spaces survive because community chooses to support them.

I’m also always open to collaborating with photographers, videographers, content creators, artists, musicians, and other creatives who align with the vision. I want Movies & Mocktails to continue evolving into a space where artists can not only showcase their work, but also build relationships and opportunities through the room itself.

More than anything, I just want people to know there’s space for them here. Whether they want to attend, partner, sponsor, volunteer, submit work, or simply experience it, I’m always excited to connect.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://eatingartists.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/moviesandmocktails_
• Facebook: https://Facebook.com/eatingartists