Bio
Inspired by nature and myth, Sonia creates visually poetic films that draw from her Puerto Rican-American culture roots. As a writer/director, her creative voice centers on the stories of women, LGBTQ+ and people of the global majority.
Sonia has directed for Nike, Facebook (Latinx Heritage Month Campaign), Vogue Italia, Comcast, L’Oreal, Condé Nast - Them, Carol’s Daughter, State Farm, Citibank, Dis Arts, Maroon World and Booooooom.tv.
Her work has received accolades from numerous festivals around the world including the Tribeca Film Festival, Clios, Webbys, 1.4 Awards, One Show Awards and Kinsale Shark Awards. She has been awarded grants from the Jerome Foundation, NYSCA Individual Artist, and was selected for the DGA/AICP Commercial Director’s Diversity Program.
An athlete as well as an artist, Sonia’s first career was as a wilderness educator leading backpacking, rock climbing, backcountry skiing, scuba diving and sea kayaking expeditions. She received her training from the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS).
Sonia is currently in development on her narrative feature debut, IT'S ALWAYS SUNNI, which she co-wrote with actress/writer Trae Harris. The script participated in Film Independent’s Fast Track, the WIF and Sundance Financing Intensive and received support for the Jerome Foundation.
She holds a B.A. and M.A. in American Studies (Gender and Race Relations).
Inspired by nature and myth, Sonia creates visually poetic films that draw from her Puerto Rican-American culture roots. As a writer/director, her creative voice centers on the stories of women, LGBTQ+ and people of the global majority.
Sonia has directed for Nike, Facebook (Latinx Heritage Month Campaign), Vogue Italia, Comcast, L’Oreal, Condé Nast - Them, Carol’s Daughter, State Farm, Citibank, Dis Arts, Maroon World and Booooooom.tv.
Her work has received accolades from numerous festivals around the world including the Tribeca Film Festival, Clios, Webbys, 1.4 Awards, One Show Awards and Kinsale Shark Awards. She has been awarded grants from the Jerome Foundation, NYSCA Individual Artist, and was selected for the DGA/AICP Commercial Director’s Diversity Program.
An athlete as well as an artist, Sonia’s first career was as a wilderness educator leading backpacking, rock climbing, backcountry skiing, scuba diving and sea kayaking expeditions. She received her training from the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS).
Sonia is currently in development on her narrative feature debut, IT'S ALWAYS SUNNI, which she co-wrote with actress/writer Trae Harris. The script participated in Film Independent’s Fast Track, the WIF and Sundance Financing Intensive and received support for the Jerome Foundation.
She holds a B.A. and M.A. in American Studies (Gender and Race Relations).
Press
Melanin Basecamp Patagonia Backpacking Article - June 2024
Billboard New Music Latin (Juanita) - Februrary 2024
Remezcla News Releases (Juanita) - February 2024
Deadline FIlm Independent Fast Track - December 2023
Mooseknuckles Canada “An Air Down Introspective” - May 2023
Shots Diversity Focus - October 2021
Webby Award Winner Fashion and Beauty - May 2020
The Standard Culture: Bendiciones- March 2020
One Show Awards Nomination - January 2020
1.4 Director Interview: Shooting Strength - January 2020
1.4 Director Nomination - October 2019
Vogue Italia “Simone: A Survivor's Story” - September 2019
Shoot Online “CDDP Alum Sonia Malfa Joins Good Company's Directorial Roster” - June 2018
Shoot Online “Up-and-Coming Directors:Assembling the Spring Collection” - April 2017
DGA/AICP Commercial Director Diversity Program (CDDP) - 2017
Awards / Festivals
NALIP Latino Media Accelorator
Film Independent Fast Track
WIF x Sundance Financing Intensive
Jerome Foundation
Clio Award - Fashion and Beauty
Webby Award Winner Fashion and Beauty
Kinsale Sharks Documentary Short
1.4 Director Shortlist
One Show Awards Shortlist
Tribeca Film Festival
LA Short Fest
Atlanta Film Festival
Woodstock Film Festival
Milan Fashion Film Festival
Los Angeles Latino Film Festival
New York Latino Film Festival
DC Shorts Fest
AMDOCS
Way Out West Festival
One Screen Film Festival
NALIP Latino Media Accelorator
Film Independent Fast Track
WIF x Sundance Financing Intensive
Jerome Foundation
Clio Award - Fashion and Beauty
Webby Award Winner Fashion and Beauty
Kinsale Sharks Documentary Short
1.4 Director Shortlist
One Show Awards Shortlist
Tribeca Film Festival
LA Short Fest
Atlanta Film Festival
Woodstock Film Festival
Milan Fashion Film Festival
Los Angeles Latino Film Festival
New York Latino Film Festival
DC Shorts Fest
AMDOCS
Way Out West Festival
One Screen Film Festival