Alum Sophia Parola Honored with Rising Star Award at Garden State Film Festival

The 22nd annual Garden State Film Festival was an event to remember, particularly for Sophia Parola, who was honored with the prestigious Rising Star Award. Parola, a first-generation Liberian, and Argentinean talent from New Jersey, has made significant strides in the entertainment industry as an actor, writer, model, professional host, and reiki practitioner.

Born and raised in New Jersey, Parola always harbored dreams of becoming a performer. However, with no performers in her family and no clear path to follow, she initially pursued a degree in Mathematics. Her journey took a pivotal turn when she took her first acting class at Brookdale Performing Arts Center. “Tutoring a kid in math who ended up doing worse was the turning point,” she humorously remarked. This class rekindled her passion for acting, leading her to an Associate of Arts in Journalism from Brookdale Community College and a Bachelor of Arts in Radio and Television Communications from Monmouth University.

During her acceptance speech at the Garden State Film Festival, Parola expressed deep gratitude for the support she has received throughout her career. “I know that I have a lot to learn in this industry, and I still have so much to do on this journey. But I think the most important things that I think every single person in this room knows is important in our industry is number one to believe in yourself and number two, to find people who believe in you or who have money,” she said, eliciting laughter from the audience.

Parola’s career has been marked by continuous learning and a dedication to her craft. She trained at renowned institutions such as Stella Adler Studio of Acting, Kimball Studio, and the Neighborhood Playhouse. Her film credits include roles in “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire,” “FBI: Most Wanted,” and the music video “Waiting” by Hed PE. Her indie film “Marijuana Minutes” is available on Amazon, and her latest project, “Last Known Location,” premiered at the festival.

In her heartfelt speech, Parola paid tribute to those who have supported her journey. “The reason I’m receiving this award and the reason I am where I am in my career is because of the people who believe in me. And many of those people are in this very room. So, I want to dedicate this award to those people,” she said, giving a special mention to her sister. “I would not be emotionally or mentally stable if it was not for you. You’re my biggest fan and my biggest supporter, and I really, I don’t think I’d be alive without you.”

She acknowledged Diane Raver, founder of the Garden State Film Festival. “Thank you for creating this film festival that is like home to me and who welcomed me in 2016, and who has seen me grow as an individual, as an artist, as an actor. Thank you for creating such an amazing community that means so much to so many people,” Parola stated.

Parola’s acceptance speech resonated with many in the audience, particularly when she spoke about her ongoing journey and the importance of self-belief. “I had the honor of interviewing a lot of people who received this award, and I always hoped I’d get it one day, but I never felt good enough. And the first thing Executive Director Lauren Concar Sheehy said to me when I received this was, ‘You deserve this,’ in all capitals. Because that’s the way she is, and that’s what this festival means to so many people,” she said.

With her Rising Star Award, Parola stands as a testament to the power of perseverance, self-belief, and the support of a loving community. Her story is one of inspiration, and that dreams can indeed become reality with hard work and dedication. As she continues to rise in the entertainment industry, there is no doubt that Parola’s star will shine even brighter in the years to come.

For more information on Sophia Parola and her upcoming projects, visit her website or check out her IMDB. 

Headshot by Michael Cinquino