From Studio Executive to Pioneering Storyteller: Ligiah Villalobos and the Influence of the Antioch MFA

      Ligiah Villalobos never intended to become a screenwriter. Previously an executive at The Walt Disney Company, she concentrated on overseeing creative development from a corporate perspective. However, a single question—“Are you a writer?”—triggered a change that led her to become a renowned screenwriter, producer, and advocate for underrepresented communities in film and television.

      This change occurred at Antioch University’s MFA in Creative Writing, a low-residency program aimed at writers seeking artistic growth and practical application. Villalobos earned her BA from Antioch, focusing on creative writing, prior to embarking on her MFA. She selected Antioch not for screenwriting but for prose fiction, eager to challenge herself and refine her storytelling skills. The outcome was profound.

      “What I learned about description and delving into emotion dramatically altered my approach to writing screenplays,” she noted. “I became more intentional in my visual storytelling and more assured in my voice.”

      Villalobos subsequently wrote and executive produced Under the Same Moon—a groundbreaking film in Latinx representation—and contributed to well-known series like Go, Diego, Go!, Charmed, and Selena: The Series. Her focus on culturally rich storytelling led to her consulting on Pixar’s Coco, ensuring a respectful and authentic depiction of Mexican traditions.

      However, Villalobos's impact extends beyond shaping screens—she is also nurturing storytellers. Serving as a professor at California State University, Fullerton, a frequent guest instructor for Antioch’s dramatic writing program, and the head writer for Nickelodeon’s new Dora the Explorer, she mentors emerging talents, especially women and creators of color. Her message is clear: “Our stories matter. And they need to be told.”

      Antioch University’s MFA in Creative Writing provided Villalobos with the resources and environment to discover her voice. With a focus on Writing for the Screen, the program allows both emerging and experienced screenwriters to refine their craft, grounded in the same commitment to social justice and authenticity that shaped Villalobos’s career.

      For those who feel a story within but are uncertain about how to begin, Villalobos’s journey is a compelling reminder: the journey to becoming a storyteller starts with the bravery to say yes—and the right community to accompany that journey.

      Discover more about Antioch’s MFA in Creative Writing with a focus on Writing for the Screen and sign up for an upcoming virtual information session at https://at.antioch.edu/screenwriting.

      Lauded as having "Outstanding Screenwriter Training" by MovieMaker, Antioch University’s low-residency MFA in Creative Writing program is dedicated not only to the education of literary and dramatic artists but also to community engagement and the pursuit of social justice. The program offers personalized mentoring from a range of successful authors and includes training in craft, revising, and critical reading and thinking skills. It