PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Delaware County native and Temple graduate Lydia Peterson is debuting her first film, "Walking On," this month.
"I can’t leave it all up to the folks that made 'Mare of Easttown,'" the young Philadelphia filmmaker says with a laugh.
Peterson says the movie is loosely based on the time she spent on the basketball court in Philly while attending Temple University.
"This could be a cool story," Peterson says. "Everybody likes a hero, like chasing a dream."
Her focus is to tell stories reflecting communities of color, while still being universal in appeal. She’s already being compared to A-List directors such as Lena Waithe and Issa Rae.
"I got tired of seeing all the roles for Black people being stereotypical. And I want to tell stories that are relatable but highlighted the Black community," Peterson said.
"I figured, instead of complaining of the problem, I could add to the solution. Sometimes the best work comes from frustration."
Peterson says young filmmakers should dream big, like she did. "Whatever you can dream, do it."
She wants viewers to walk away from her film seeing that "the journey can be the destination."
It's important to prepare for those moments of realization, she says, so prepare for them, because they will come.
"Walking On" is available on Amazon Prime and iTunes.