[2] The credits of the 1996 film Jack, directed by her grandfather Francis Ford Coppola, include the dedication "for Gia 'When you see a shooting star...'" (with her name stylized in lower case).

[1][7] After attending Bard College, Coppola stated that she "felt a little burned out on taking pictures after years of churning out so many for classes".

[9] Subsequently, Coppola was hired to make short films for Opening Ceremony which starred Kirsten Dunst and Jason Schwartzman (her cousin), Zac Posen (who said that "she's going to be the next Coppola force to be reckoned with"), Diane von Fürstenberg, Rodarte, and Elle China.

[9][10] Coppola made her directorial feature film debut with Palo Alto, an adaptation of James Franco's short story collection of the same name.

[11][12] After befriending James Franco, Coppola was asked to adapt and direct his collection of short stories Palo Alto.

The film, starring Andrew Garfield, Maya Hawke and Jason Schwartzman, follows three lovers who struggle to preserve their identities as they form an eccentric love triangle within the modern internet age.