Tribeca 2026 Interview: Isabel Lamers Discusses Kaya, Identity, Filipino Martial Arts, and Self-Discovery

Reviews & Dunn: You’re not only starring in Kaya, but carrying a role that is physically demanding and emotionally personal. When you first stepped into Nia, what part of her did you connect with immediately?

Isabel Lamers: The part I first connected with is her longing to belong. It’s the feeling of always being the outsider looking in and constantly trying to assimilate and fit in. I think it’s so challenging for mixed-race people to assert their own identity because you grow up feeling like you’re lacking something from either side of your culture, especially if you grew up in both, as I did. Other than that, of course, her determination and stubbornness were easy to connect with, too. When people tell me "no," it often just propels me forward. I don’t like others telling me what I can or cannot do. Only you know yourself well enough to decide that.

Reviews & Dunn: Nia is caught between wanting to belong and realizing she can't keep shrinking herself to be accepted. As an actress, how did you approach playing that internal conflict without making it feel too obvious or overstated?

Isabel Lamers: That’s such a great question. I was actually worried about making it too obvious. As an actress, I could relax a bit more this time since I was so aware of what we had built outside of the acting to tell that story. Take the clothes, for instance. They evolve from her trying to dress "Filipino," then dressing the way her mother would like her to, until Nia finally decides to develop her own style. So much of the story is told through the collaboration of acting, set design, framing, music, and more. The internal conflict has always felt like a back-and-forth to me. One moment you're trying to fit in, and the next you feel like you’ve adapted too much and begin to rebel. I tried to bring that dynamic into Nia’s character.

Reviews & Dunn: The film uses Filipino Martial Arts not just as action, but as a language for identity and self-expression. How did the physical training change the way you understood Nia as a character?

Isabel Lamers: To me, Filipino Martial Arts has a very intricate and intelligent flow to it. Compared to Nia’s—and my own—background in kickboxing, which can sometimes feel more direct and forceful, FMA requires patience, adaptability, and acceptance. Those are qualities Nia struggles with throughout the film. FMA isn’t necessarily about making the biggest or boldest move. It's a survival art. Winning is surviving. Sometimes it’s a small adjustment, a twist of the wrist, or a shift in weight that changes everything. That philosophy became a big part of what Nia needed to learn about herself.

Reviews & Dunn: You’ve appeared in projects like Tár, Club Zero, and SISA, but Kaya feels especially personal. What made this role different from your previous work as an actress?

Isabel Lamers: It was very different. Working on my own project for the first time, knowing every detail inside and out, actually made acting easier in many ways. I knew exactly what each scene needed because I had written and rewritten it, discussed it with every department, and pitched the film's message countless times. At the same time, because it was so personal, it was also more challenging. Something interesting happened while playing Nia. In certain scenes—especially those involving her mother—I would slip into a different register in my voice. That sometimes happens when I interact with my real mom, too. I wasn’t expecting it to happen on set, but once it did, I realized it was completely truthful. Nia slips into that "child" role when she’s with her mother, trying to earn her approval and love while simultaneously rebelling against her. In general, I gained so much more respect—on top of the huge respect I already had—for all the departments involved in filmmaking. It is an incredible process.

Reviews & Dunn: Tribeca is a major platform for a short film like this. What do you hope audiences take away from Nia’s journey after they see Kaya?

Isabel Lamers: I hope they believe in themselves more—whatever that may mean for them. I hope they feel seen and understand that if they feel like they don't belong, there is a world they can create for themselves where they do. I also hope people realize that belonging can sometimes start with a shift in mindset. Nia goes from trying to belong to embracing a "this is me" attitude—oh, now I'm giving too much away!