Empowering Local Women in Business: A Spotlight on Mik Austin, Founder of Philly Philms

From the Court to the Camera: Mik Austin’s Journey Building Philly Philms

When you think about basketball, filmmaking might not be the first thing that comes to mind. But for Mik Austin—founder and director of photography at Philly Philms—the two have been deeply connected since her days playing at the University of Pennsylvania (Penn).

Falling in Love with a Story

Mik grew up in California but was recruited to play basketball at Penn. Competing at the iconic Palestra, the nation’s oldest continuously operating college basketball arena, sparked something beyond sports for her.

“I just absolutely fell in love with the history of the building,” Mik recalls. For her senior project, she created a piece on the “Ghosts of the Palestra,” which ignited her passion for storytelling and documentary filmmaking.

After graduation, she decided to stay on the East Coast and pursue a full-length documentary about the Palestra. Books had been written, stories had been told, but no film had captured its century-long legacy. Mik brought together a team of seasoned professionals from Philadelphia’s “Big Five” basketball schools—Villanova, Temple, and St. Joe’s—who mentored her in cinematography, editing, and production.

“That was my jumping point for Philly Philms,” she says. “It became an homage to my adopted hometown, and one project led to another.”

Becoming a One-Woman Band

While collaborating with industry veterans, Mik realized she wanted to do it all—not just direct or coordinate, but shoot, edit, and tell stories with her own creative eye. Over time, she mastered the technical side of filmmaking, gravitating toward cinematography.

Her hands-on experience led to an unexpected opportunity in 2012: working as a camera operator for the Philadelphia Phillies. “They approached me, which I thought was really cool,” Mik says. Despite initial skepticism from others in a male-dominated field, she quickly proved herself to be a valuable asset.

“If I didn’t know how to do something, I’d find a way to learn it,” she explains. “Sometimes that meant shadowing, asking questions, or literally showing up with notes on my phone so I’d be ready.”

Her preparation paid off—soon, she became one of the Phillies’ go-to camera operators while continuing to grow Philly Philms.

Navigating Business as a Woman in Film

Breaking into cinematography wasn’t without challenges. “Especially back then, you’d get a lot of, ‘You think you can do that?’” Mik remembers. But her background as an athlete—and her determination—helped her block out the noise.

She also credits supportive mentors. Many were men already established in the field, but instead of seeing her as “the woman in the room,” they saw her as a talented peer who wanted to learn.

“I just wasn’t afraid to ask questions. And I wasn’t afraid to say, ‘Yeah, I can do that,’ even if it meant scrambling later to figure it out.”

The Role of Family and Mentorship

Mik’s drive comes from her parents, who always encouraged her to pursue what she loved—even when it broke conventions.

Her mom, she remembers, insisted Mik play baseball as a child when others pushed for softball. “She wasn’t an athlete herself, but she never questioned what I wanted to do. She’d say, ‘If that’s what my daughter wants, then let her play.’”

This unconditional support gave Mik the confidence to see herself in any space, whether that was on the court, behind a camera, or running her own company.

Advice for Women in Business

For women starting a business or building a career in creative industries, Mik’s biggest advice is to learn everything you can.

“Even if it’s not something you’ll do forever, understanding every part of your field makes you stronger. You’ll know when to bring in the right people, and you’ll also understand and respect what it takes for them to do their jobs.”

She also stresses the importance of preparation. “You don’t have to be the expert in every aspect, but you should know enough to step in when needed—and enough to earn mutual respect.”

Looking Ahead

From filming at the Palestra to working for the Phillies and now running her own company, Mik Austin has built Philly Philms on grit, curiosity, and storytelling. As the Palestra approaches its 100th anniversary, her journey comes full circle—a reminder of how one building, one project, can inspire a lifelong career.

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