Cinematic Blondes Collective was founded by two actresses, Carlota and Jasmin, who felt a deep urge to tell stories that weren’t being told. We began with a script we wrote ourselves, a story we cared about deeply. When we brought on a producer, we hoped it would be the start of something great. But things didn’t go as planned.Despite big promises, key parts of the production were delayed or never delivered. The equipment didn’t show up. The help we needed didn’t arrive. And when we looked around set, the person who said he’d be there… wasn’t. That experience pushed us to make a choice: either wait around and hope someone else would care as much as we did or step up and take control ourselves.
So we did.
We found the crew, sourced the gear, managed the locations, and produced the film from the ground up all while acting in it. It was tough, exhausting at times, but incredibly rewarding. Because we knew every frame came from us.
That moment marked the birth of Cinematic Blondes Collective.
Today, we continue writing, producing, and performing in the stories we believe in stories that are bold, emotional, and female-led. CBC is more than just a company. It’s a creative home where we get to build something real, collaborate with others who care deeply, and bring powerful stories to life on our own terms.
We’re just getting started.
MAD? MAYBE. MAGIC? ALWAYS.
Carlota Peña Jimenez is a co-founder of Cinematic Blondes Collective and a multifaceted creative with expertise in directing, acting, and photography.
Originally from Madrid, Spain, Carlota's artistic journey has taken her across THE US, Portugal, Switzerland, and France, where she immersed herself in the unique cinematic traditions and storytelling styles of each country.
Carlota's formal training began in New York City, where she studied acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and the Stella Adler Studio. She later expanded her creative toolkit by studying directing and photography at EFTI International School in Madrid. Most recently, she earned a Master's degree in Screen Acting at Met Film School, where she also discovered her love for screenwriting.
Currently, Carlota is working on her first feature film, an ambitious project that showcases her unique ability to fuse the fantastical with the deeply human.
Her storytelling style is heavily inspired by her favorite directors-visionaries like Tim Burton, Guillermo del Toro, Mike Flanagan, Robert Eggers and David Fincher-and her writing reflects a similar balance of oddity and emotional depth. She also finds great inspiration in actors like Helena Bonham Carter and Johnny Depp, who have redefined what it means to portray unconventional and compelling characters.
Carlota embraces her odd imagination-a creativity that isn't considered conventional by society's standards but is where she finds her greatest strength. This is why she feels a profound connection with the directors and actors she admires: they celebrate being different and show that "different" can be something extraordinary. For Carlota, different isn't just an exception; it's a way of life, and it's what drives her passion for bold, innovative storytelling.
While Carlota's primary aspiration is to work in the film industry as an actress, she remains deeply passionate about screenwriting and producing, embracing every facet of the art form.
She believes that stories have the power to inspire, challenge, and transport audiences to new worlds-something she strives to achieve with every project she undertakes.
ABOUT CARLOTA
ABOUT JASMIN
Jasmin is the other half of Cinematic Blondes
Collective, where she brings her diverse background in filmmaking and acting to create powerful, thought-provoking stories. With a BA in Film and Moving Image Production from Norwich University of the Arts, Jasmin honed her skills as both a filmmaker and an actor, navigating the dynamic world of independent cinema. After gaining valuable experience working freelance for several years, she further refined her craft by pursuing an MA in Screen Acting at Met Film School, where she met Carlota-her collaborator and co-founder of Cinematic Blondes Collective.
Originally from the U.K. and raised in the UAE, Jasmin's multicultural upbringing has greatly influenced her perspective on storytelling. Moving to England at the age of 14, she found a creative outlet in filmmaking, capturing short films and music videos on her trusty Sony camcorder during weekends and holidays. As her skills grew, so did her ambition-upgrading to a DSLR camera during her final years of secondary school and expanding into various roles in production. Over the years, she has crafted multiple short films, contributing to every stage of the filmmaking process, from pre-production to post-production, and has gained a deep understanding of the technical and creative demands of bringing a story to life.
Looking ahead, Jasmin is eager to take the next step with Cinematic Blondes Collective, working on the company's debut feature film. Her vision is to continue building a diverse body of work that not only entertains but also elevates underrepresented voices and perspectives in cinema.
Jasmin draws inspiration from an eclectic mix of filmmakers, including the whimsical visual style of Wes Anderson, the heartfelt characters and sharp dialogue of John Hughes, and the insightful, character-driven narratives of Greta Gerwig. She is passionate about exploring the nuances of human relationships and creating films that are both emotionally resonant and visually captivating.