Folasade is the writer, director, and star of Keepers of the Door, a semi-autobiographical series inspired by her own experience working in Hollywood’s fine-dining world. The pilot has been selected as a Finalist in the Best Web/TV Pilot category at the World Film Festival in Cannes. In this interview, she talks about the making of the series, her cinematic influences, and what’s next for Season 1.
Folasade, welcome to the World Film Festival in Cannes interviews. We are delighted to speak to you! Congrats on being Finalist in the Best Web/TV Pilot category. Is there anything in particular you would like to say to your audience in France and in Europe.
I would love to thank the World Film Festival in Cannes for making Keepers of the Door a finalist for Best Web/TV Pilot. I am so honored that Keepers of the Door has been so well received by the French film community. The French film community is one that I respect greatly, and I hope to continue building my relationship with the French film community. Keepers of the Door is a universal story that I wrote with the intention of reaching anyone who may be looking for hope in their current reality. I hope we can continue to inspire people across all different continents with our series.
So this short is the pilot of your newest series Keepers of the Door. Are we right in seeing a Wes Anderson inspiration there?
I have a lot of respect for Mr. Wes Anderson, and I hope to work with him one day. His work is amazing! Keepers of the Door is a series created for anyone who has worked in customer service. It is a relatable show for people who are working jobs they aren’t content with, encouraging them to feel hopeful and optimistic about their future. I am a filmmaker who currently works in the same industry as my character, and I used my everyday interactions with A-list Hollywood celebrities to help create the show.
The character types are so well thought out. It is a fly on the whole depiction of today’s society, with a wink to the power of social media on the restaurant and hospitality industry and how working in a restaurant seems to be something one doesn’t do by choice. How did you build the characters and their story arcs?
The series is semi-autobiographical, and I pulled all of the characters from the coworkers I interact with every day at my job. I also hope to introduce more recurring guests who will be inspired by the guests who frequently visit the restaurant where I work. The show feels authentic because it is inspired by real-life events and experiences from my work life.
If you had a magic wand, what would conjure up?
My first answer would, of course, be something like achieving world peace or ending world hunger. If we are speaking about artistic dreams, then I would conjure up a multimedia company that includes a production company for my films and a music label, allowing me to create musical short films with different artists.
What are your all-time cinema inspirations and if you had to name an actress and an actor in Europe, who would they be?
I have many inspirations within film and television. I would love to work with my favorite filmmakers, Ryan Coogler and Gina Prince-Bythewood. One of my favorite European filmmakers whom I have recently discovered is Charles Vidor, because Gilda is one of my favorite films.
Tell us more about the making of this project.
Keepers of the Door was made in one day at the former Hollywood restaurant known as Status. The restaurant was a Jamaican fine-dining establishment, which was fitting since I am of Jamaican descent. We had two read-throughs and an in-person rehearsal prior to our shooting day. I really wanted the show to feel authentic, so I cast Jabari and Makenzie, two former hosts whom I used to work with at another Hollywood restaurant.
Would you like to tell our audience about your upcoming projects?
I would love for the audience to check out our Instagram for updates about Season 1 of the series. You can follow @iamfolasadee and @sademorrisproductions on all social media platforms.
BIO
Biography of Folasade
“Keepers of the Door is a universal story that I wrote with the intention of reaching anyone who may be looking for hope in their current reality.”
Folasade is a writer, filmmaker, and actress originally from London, England. She moved to the United States at the age of 11 and has been passionate about storytelling for as long as she can remember.
She began training in musical theatre at the age of five, but her love for writing and directing emerged just as early. By the age of eight, she was writing scripts, directing her classmates during playtime, and producing original performances that her teachers proudly showcased at the end of each school year.
Today, Folasade writes, directs, and stars in her first original series, Keepers of the Door. Inspired by groundbreaking creators such as Issa Rae, Michaela Coel, and Quinta Brunson, she is dedicated to telling authentic, character-driven stories that reflect resilience, ambition, and hope.
Keepers of the Door is an autobiographical series inspired by Folasade’s experiences working as a British Maître d’ in a fine-dining restaurant frequented by Hollywood celebrities and influential figures. Through humor, heart, and honest storytelling, the series explores the pursuit of purpose while navigating everyday challenges. Its central message is universal: no matter where you come from or how distant your dreams may seem, never stop believing in them. Sometimes the very environment you’re in today can become the inspiration that shapes the future you’ve always imagined.
Official Links
Instagram — Folasade: instagram.com/iamfolasadee
Instagram — Sade Morris Productions: instagram.com/sademorrisproductions
Interview : Isabelle Rouault-Röhlich
