Conversations with Jordy Camilleri

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jordy Camilleri.

Hi Jordy, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always loved the idea of telling stories through a camera. Growing up in Australia, one of my earliest memories of that passion came from my mum’s best friend, who was a professional photographer. She had this incredible Canon camera, and I was fascinated by the way she could capture people’s emotions so vividly that the photo itself told a story. That stuck with me, and pretty soon I was chasing that same feeling.

All through high school I was shooting—sometimes events, sometimes landscapes—anything that caught my eye. It was more than just taking pictures; it was trying to freeze a moment in time that had meaning. Later, when I became a missionary and traveled across Australia, New Zealand, and Thailand, my perspective really shifted. I met so many people with powerful, raw, and diverse stories, and I wanted to do them justice. That’s when I realized this wasn’t just a hobby—it was becoming a calling. Those cultural and human experiences pushed me to grow as a storyteller and eventually expand from photography into video.

Since moving to the United States in 2020, that drive has only grown stronger. I’ve been able to spearhead three feature-length sports documentaries centered around local district programs, with another one currently in the works. Beyond sports, I’ve had the privilege to capture the world of hunting, weddings, and other community-driven stories through documentary. Each project feels like its own journey, and what excites me most is that no two stories are ever the same. What ties them all together is the chance to connect with people, highlight their journeys, and use the lens as a way of preserving something real, something worth remembering.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Yes and no. On one hand, it’s been smooth in the sense that I genuinely find so much joy and motivation in the work I do. The stories themselves drive me—when I’m behind the camera, I feel completely in my element, and that part has always come naturally. But on the other hand, the road hasn’t been without its challenges.

Early on, one of the biggest hurdles was simply figuring out how to turn this passion into something sustainable. When you’re starting out, you don’t always have the resources, connections, or equipment you wish you had. There were plenty of times I had to make do with what was available and push myself to be creative in the limitations.

Another challenge has been the mental side—balancing the weight of telling someone else’s story responsibly. With documentaries, you’re dealing with real people, their lives, and their experiences. That comes with a level of pressure, because you want to honor their truth while also shaping it into something compelling for an audience.

And of course, there’s the hustle of constantly building new opportunities, especially after moving to the U.S. in 2020. Starting fresh in a new country meant rebuilding a network from the ground up. It hasn’t always been easy, but every challenge has taught me resilience and reinforced why I love this work. The hard parts make the rewarding moments—when someone sees their story come to life on screen—all the more meaningful.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My work is rooted in documentary filmmaking and photography, but it also extends into commercial video production. On the documentary side, I focus heavily on capturing stories that feel authentic, emotional, and deeply human—whether that’s through feature-length sports films, cultural experiences, or personal milestones like weddings. What excites me is taking something real and making it resonate with people in a way that lasts.

At the same time, I also do commercial work, which has opened doors to a wide variety of projects. I’ve created promotional videos for businesses, testimonial videos that highlight real client experiences, and storytelling pieces for nonprofits. Those projects are rewarding because they allow me to help organizations and brands connect with their audiences in a genuine, impactful way. In a sense, it’s the same core skillset—storytelling—but applied in a way that serves their mission or goals.

I’m probably best known locally for my feature-length sports documentaries. I’ve produced three so far, each highlighting the journey of district programs here in the U.S., with another one currently in progress. They’re special to me because they go beyond wins and losses—they reveal the culture, community, and personal growth behind the sport. Beyond that, I’ve told stories within the hunting community, captured weddings, and taken on nonprofit projects that amplify voices and causes that matter.

What I’m most proud of is the trust people place in me to tell their stories, whether it’s a coach reflecting on a season, a couple on their wedding day, or a nonprofit wanting to show the heart behind their mission. That trust is something I never take lightly.

What sets my work apart is the way I approach storytelling. I don’t just film—I immerse myself in the subject. I take the time to build relationships, to listen, and to understand the heart of what makes their story worth telling. That investment shows in the final product, whether it’s a commercial promo or a feature-length documentary.

How do you think about luck?
Luck has definitely played a role in my journey, but I’d say it’s more about divine timing than chance. You really never know who you’re going to meet or what door might open, and in this line of work, relationships and connections can completely change your path. Looking back, there have been so many moments where I was in the right place at the right time, and opportunities came that I couldn’t have planned for on my own.

But I give all glory to God for those moments. I truly believe that every opportunity, whether big or small, has been placed in my path for a reason. Even the challenges—what some might call “bad luck”—have shaped me and pushed me to grow, both as a filmmaker and as a person. They’ve refined my work ethic, my perspective, and my reliance on faith.

So while luck might look like chance from the outside, to me it feels more like God’s hand guiding each step, opening the right doors and sometimes even closing the wrong ones so I can stay on the path I’m meant to be on.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jordycamilleri?igsh=eGt1MzZvdW5leGVy&utm_source=qr