In the breakout indie drama *Rulebreakers*, newcomer Amber Afzali makes an unforgettable debut. But her path to the big screen was far from traditional. “I was doing political science,” Afzali recalls. “And I was like, maybe I’ll add something, a minor or something here or there… but I still felt like something’s missing.” That “something” turned out to be acting—something she loved as a child but had placed on the back burner in favor of academics.
The COVID-19 pandemic created the space for reflection. “I decided, let me see if I still like it,” she said. “I took an acting class. I really loved it… and shortly after I was introduced to a couple of managers and agents. I went with the manager I have today. She’s incredible. This was my first audition… and it just kind of got the ball rolling.”
When an opportunity clicks that quickly, “you kind of feel like the stars aligned,” she said. “It’s meant to be.”
A Sports Movie at Heart
Although Rulebreakers revolves around a high school robotics team, the energy is very familiar. “We definitely describe it as like a sports film,” Afzali said. “High energy, high stakes.”
It’s more than just about machines. “You have this group of young women who are trying to make a difference… going against the grain in the face of adversity,” said Afzali. “Very much what those classic sports movies are all about.”
Amber Afzali describes her debut as a “crash course” in filmmaking. “I learned what it means to be an actor… you’re kind of a piece of a puzzle,” she said. “You can’t always see the big picture on set. But when I look at the film now, I go, ‘That all makes so much sense.’”
She praised her cast and crew: “Luckily I was surrounded by such supportive actors and actresses and such amazing crew. Everyone was very helpful.” But she also learned what parts of the job aren’t so glamorous: “The hard times of the job is when you’re prepping and waiting. Auditioning. That’s when times are hard. Being on set—that’s the payoff.”
Facing Rejection and Staying Confident
Afzali knows how hard the industry can be, especially for newcomers. “You face a lot of rejection… you don’t always get feedback,” she said. “You send your tape into the ether, and then that was it.”
Her perspective shifted after hearing a quote from actress Keke Palmer. “She said, ‘Now that they didn’t cast me, their project is not going to be as good as it could be,’” Afzali recalled. “You just shift your perspective. It’s not personal… just have that confidence in yourself.”
Afzali says one of the biggest misconceptions about acting is that you need extensive training or a strict method to succeed. “You start to feel like you need to follow a system, but what’s interesting about people is that we’re all so different,” she said. In fact, Rulebreakers evolved during filming. “Scenes were added, dynamics changed,” she shared. “So you have to roll with the punches. If you’re too strict with your method, that can stifle your creativity.”
Representation, Hope and There’s Always a Way
As a woman of Afghan heritage, Amber Afzali sees Rulebreakers as part of a larger shift in Hollywood. “We are expanding more and more to include people from different backgrounds,” she said. “Even though that is slim and few, I think it is. I’m an optimist.”
She recognizes how rare stories like *Rulebreakers* used to be. “Ten years ago, a movie like this might not have been made,” she said. “Now it’s getting a theatrical release. That’s a win for us all.”
Afzali’s ten-word advice to young actors? “Don’t simply accept a no. There’s always a way.”
She proved it while juggling college and the film shoot. When production was delayed into the semester, many told her she’d have to take a gap semester. “I sat down with each professor… some said no, but three said yes,” she said.
With those three classes and her determination, she stayed a full-time student. “Yes, I was up till 2 AM and had call times at 5 AM,” she admitted. “But there was a way.”
Afzali’s story isn’t just about acting—it’s about believing that when doors seem to close, persistence can find another way in.
Watch our full interview with Amber Afzali above, on YouTube or your favorite podcast platform.
You can see Amber Afzali in Rulebreakers on the Angel Studios app on Roku.
