Check Out Ava Cantrell’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ava Cantrell.

Hi Ava, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I’m a San Diego local actress whose been in showbusiness since I was in elementary school. I’ve worked for Nickelodeon, NBC, CBS, Warner bros, and Newline Cinema. I’m attending college here in San Diego while continuing to act in movies and TV. I have worked with some of Hollywood’s heavy hitters like Fred Willard, Cheri Oteri, and Jason Alexander, and was in a horror movie “Lights Out” directed by David Sandberg of the “Shazam” franchise. I recently won five awards for Best Actress for my role in “Twenty-Two,” and that film also brought awareness’ for the twenty-two vets that commit suicide daily. Sadly, since making that movie, the number has grown to 44. I loved screening at the San Diego Photography Museum with the San Diego Film Awards. They do amazing things for actors, filmmakers, and producers in San Diego.

I grew up surfing the waves from La Jolla to Encinitas and still spend weekends and summers at the beach. I love animals and rescue and currently am one of the voices for Relist Wolves along with Jason Momoa. My mom and I started a photography business during the Covid where I’m behind the camera, and my mom Janina, with her fashion expertise, styles all the shoots. We actually started that business to keep up with magazine and article requests for myself. The magazines would keep asking,” Who is your team” Finally we said, “it is just us, it’s all us” Covid had kept our photography sessions outdoors, and we continue to shoot at San Diego’s amazing scenic exterior locations. We have over 70 editorials and 25 covers under our belts. It is very rewarding for me to have my art in front of the camera recognized.

You’ll be able to check out the movie I’m starring in called “Abigail,” releasing early fall. I play the title role Abigail, and it’s a teen horror/thriller that will wild and fun ride for the audience.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The biggest challenge in acting came from Covid in 2020. I had been cast in two different projects that were supposed to production in the spring of that year. Both were cancelled! There were no new auditions, production throughout the industry was stopped, and anything that was planned then went on hold. I overcame this obstacle by starting the photography company with my mom. It allows me to continue pursuing acting, school and keeps me in a creative space behind the camera.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Currently working behind the camera on editorial photography. I’m super excited to start offering travel sessions as well starting late spring. I also love shooting anything at the beach!

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Janina Cantrell from Ava Cantrell Photography