“A Day in the Life” with: Montréal Filmmaker and Author Raïssa Sintcheu

Raïssa Sintcheu is an author, filmmaker, and media entrepreneur. Originally from Cameroon and now based in Montreal, she is carving out a space for herself with determination in the world of storytelling and media. What sets her apart is her resilience, bold ambition, and unique ability to lead multiple projects without ever losing sight of her purpose.

For the past eight years, Raïssa has been exploring the power of words and images. She began her journey as a writer for blogs and magazines, eventually moving into screenwriting and publishing her first novel, When Tomorrow Breaks. Her creative work is deeply influenced by her unconventional path and often aims to educate and raise awareness around topics that are still considered taboo.

Her debut short film “Through the Twists of Fate” was selected for the Toronto Shorts International Film Festival and the Urban Film Festival in Miami—a meaningful milestone for an artist whose approach blends creativity, social engagement, and a deeply human perspective.

Raïssa Sintcheu is a voice that tells, questions, and uplifts. With each project, she continues to speak with clarity, purpose, and passion.

-Written by her sister, Grychka Ngounou

Raïssa Sintcheu
Raïssa Sintcheu — Director, with the cast and crew behind the camera of her upcoming film Broken Bonds, shot in Rosemère, QC.
Raïssa Sintcheu
After two days of shooting, It’s a wrap!! On the set of her debut short film Through The Twists of fate shot in Montreal and selected by two international film festivals.
Raïssa and other women in the cultural industry during the second cohort of Coalition Média, which offered a certification in entrepreneurship for audiovisual production through HEC MONTREAL.
Raïssa pitching her TV series on women’s health to producers at the Academy, held at the Cinémathèque of Montreal.
Raïssa with her readers during the Book launch of the French novel « Demain nous attend » at the bookstore Un Livre A Soi in April 2024.
BTS Film still of Raïssa Sintcheu’s film “Through the twists of fate.”
Raïssa Sintcheu
Raïssa launched her novel When Tomorrow Breaks at the BLK Book Lounge A Literary Experience part of the BLK Book Fair in Toronto on May 31
Raïssa Sintcheu
Visit to the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington DC. Museums and Nature are where Raïssa finds inspiration.

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Which ’hood are you in?

There are quite a few places I consider home, like Douala (Cameroon), the city where I spent my early childhood; Paris (France), the city that saw me grow up; London (UK), where I had the wake-up call that pushed me to change career paths; and Montréal, the city that welcomed me and gave me my first opportunities in the literary and film industries. It’s such a multicultural place, full of amazing artists, and it’s easy to find your space there. Montréal really holds a special place in my heart.

That said, I currently live in Montréal, on the east side of the island, to be exact. But… let’s just say Toronto is not too far off my radar. Laughs.

What do you do?

I’m a filmmaker, writer, producer, and author, and I am also an event coordinator. I used to run a web magazine, but we eventually closed it down. Last year, I launched my production company, Raisin Productions Inc., and as our motto says: “We love stories people can relate to.”

The beating heart of my work is to shine a light on silent pain, break taboos, and, most importantly, offer hope to those who come into contact with my art. For me, it’s not just about entertaining. It’s also about sharing knowledge, starting conversations, and helping to educate our communities.

What are you currently working on?

I’m currently in post-production for my next short film, Broken Bonds. It tells the story of a mother living with HIV, whose diagnosis fills her with so much bitterness that it begins to affect her relationship with her son. Through this film, I want to break the silence around HIV in our communities, and show that the impact of this illness goes beyond the physical; it’s also deeply mental and relational. My goal is to develop this story into a feature film eventually.

I’m also in pre-production for another short I wrote, this time focusing on the issue of skills recognition in Canada, a problem that directly contributes to the severe shortage of doctors the country is currently facing.

So, right now, I’m really focusing on honing my craft as a filmmaker and pushing myself to go deeper in the stories I tell and the way I tell it.

Where can we find your work?

On my Instagram and YouTube. Likewise, you can find my work on my website

 

About Demian Vernieri 612 Articles
Fistle Media - Managing Editor Demian manages our writers and makes sure our content schedule stays in tact. He ensures our guidelines are met and relays information between our teams to help things run smoothly.