Mikaela Phillips is an award-winning Australian actress and producer with over a decade of experience across digital media, television, film, and audio storytelling. From her early beginnings in performance to executive producing internationally acclaimed and released projects, she has built a career that seamlessly blends creative leadership with powerful storytelling.
Recognized as one of “30 Producers Under 30 to Watch,” a recipient of the Best Young Filmmaker Award, named one of Deluxe Version Magazine’s Top Twenty Women of the Year (2024) and Success Quarterly Awards Winner (2025), Mikaela continues to expand her creative footprint globally. In this interview, she reflects on her journey, creative philosophy, and advice for the next generation of performers and creatives.
What inspired you to pursue this creative path?
Mikaela Phillips:
Well, from a young age, I was always surrounded by the arts – my mother works in the industry, so creativity was a natural part of my life. As a child, I would put on shows, write songs, participate in theatre both at school and outside of school, and overall fully immersed myself in acting.
After years of theatre, I moved in front of the camera, working on both television and film titles. I jokingly say I fell into producing – and honestly, I’ve never looked back – progressively elevating the scale and scope of my projects while always pushing the boundaries and taking on more challenging and rewarding work and successful projects!
Producing has felt like a natural fit for me from the start; I love being able to bring something to life from conception to completion, create and shape stories with creative control, and serve as a leader for women in film while helping other creatives shine by providing opportunities. I knew immediately that being behind the camera was just as fulfilling, if not more, than being in front of it and love how I’ve been able to integrate the two on numerous projects.
What advice would you give to aspiring performers and creatives?
Mikaela Phillips:
I’ve said this before, and I mean it every time: start now. There’s no perfect moment, no cosmic alignment, no reason to wait. The only real loss in this industry is not trying.
If you sit back and wait for opportunities to find you, you’ll be waiting forever – create your own. Make content, even if it’s small or imperfect and learn as you go. And be strategic! Have a plan, a vision… every project is a stepping stone: it builds your skills, your network, your credits, and your confidence. Leverage that to get where you want to be.
And rejection is not just a possibility – it’s guaranteed. You definitely need a thick skin in this industry. People may not like or resonate with your content, your humor, your performance. For me, rejection has never stopped me, it’s only fueled me! It pushes me to do more, excel further, to prove people wrong (success is the best revenge) and to find a way forward.
The truth is, persistence, passion, and action matter far more than waiting for someone else to hand you a break. Show up, take creative risks, make your own opportunities, and keep moving. That’s how you carve your place in this industry and in your own story.
Are there any current projects you’re excited about?
Mikaela Phillips:
Recently wrapped production and executive producing Zavier and the Nightkeeper, and I’m thrilled to announce the movie will be releasing in 2026! We dropped the official trailer on Halloween and within 48hrs it had gone viral and trended on social media! The movie is based on the best-selling Magic Wars Saga book series, the film serves as a never-before-told origin story that subsequently leads into the Magic Wars Saga franchise – where the first book’s story begins.
I’m proud to have served as Executive Producer not only on this film but also be a producer on the development of the full trilogy! A once in a lifetime opportunity to work on the next, history-making, fantasy film franchise and possibly the next biggest project to date in my career. I can’t wait to share more! Follow on social and stay tuned for updates!
About Mikaela Phillips
Mikaela Phillips is an award-winning actress and producer whose work spans episodic television, feature films, and audio (podcast) storytelling. In her breakout role she appeared as Faith Morgan in the primetime tv drama Counter Play – which she also executive produced – helping establish the series as one of the first independent, women-led television productions to achieve both commercial network broadcast and global streaming distribution.
In 2025, she produced the podcast Seduction, starring Academy Award nominee Eric Roberts, and subsequently signed on as a Producer with Hurrdat Entertainment, home to several Bravo TV and Real Housewives talents. Known for her vision, versatility, and pioneering presence both on screen and behind the camera, Mikaela continues to shape and shepherd the next wave of global entertainment.
www.mikaelaphillips.com
IG: @mikaelaphillips
