By: Shawn Mars
Emerging actor Kabir McNeely recently captivated audiences with his role in the 2025 independent film Fallaway. A multifaceted talent, McNeely wrote, directed and starred in the feature. His portrayal of “Giovanni,” a seemingly confident young actor masking deep pain behind a bright smile, has earned him several Best Actor awards. In this exclusive interview, McNeely spoke to us about his process, the challenges and rewards of taking on the lead role, and what Fallaway means to him.
A Journey Through Fallaway
Photo Courtesy: Kabir McNeely / Fusion Cinema
Fallaway offers a raw portrayal of Giovanni’s struggle to find himself in a complicated world. For McNeely, the journey to create this character began long before he stepped in front of the camera.
“I met a young man a few years ago who told me he used to identify as gay but, through journaling now identifies as a straight man,” McNeely says. “For months, I couldn’t stop thinking about him, which became the basis of Giovanni. It became clear during the writing process that it was an idea I simply had to explore. Even if I failed, I knew it wouldn’t feel as badly as the regret of not trying.”
An Artist’s Vision
Photo Courtesy: Kabir McNeely / Fusion Cinema
“I understood how delicate the subject matter of Fallaway is, so I knew I had to be very intentional with my research and preparation. It was a process of letting go of what I, the actor, envisioned, and opening myself up to being in the moment. It was an incredible journey that I hope will resonate with audiences.”
In addition to his dedication to the craft, McNeely’s approach to writing and directing Fallaway demonstrates a deep commitment to authenticity and willingness to explore the uncomfortable. “Directing myself as an actor was undoubtedly the most challenging aspect of this project,” McNeely reveals. “It’s like living two different lives in one. I had to constantly switch between being in the moment as Giovanni and overseeing the film’s vision as a director. At times, it felt like I was walking a tightrope, balancing both roles, but it also pushed me to grow in ways I hadn’t anticipated.” This balance of creative and personal exploration allowed McNeely to fully embrace both the emotional depth of Giovanni and the technical demands of directing, creating a film that felt true to his vision and his character’s journey.
Looking Forward
With Fallaway, McNeely also acknowledges the pull he feels to represent his peers: “As an adoptee, I didn’t see stories that reflected my experience in books or on screen a lot growing up. I think it’d be really cool to build a body of work that can be an example to other adopted kids who want to see themselves in the movies.” McNeely is also humble: “I still don’t know if the performance is any good – the audience is the judge of that – but what I can say is that ‘Giovanni’ changed everything for me. He taught me to find the fun in looking stupid and stop taking myself so seriously. I learned a lot about opening myself up to try new things and being okay with failing and trying again.”
There will be time to relax later as McNeely is already attached to star in a new film. “I can’t share that much about it yet, but I am excited to be challenged in a new acting role.”
“This film reminded me why I became an actor in the first place — not to plan a performance, but to be present with other people and make moment-to-moment discoveries. I think that’s when the magic happens. Carrying that forward, I really hope to tell more stories and grow as an artist.”
Follow Kabir on Instagram: @kabirmcneely.
For more details about Fallaway, visit the film’s official website.
