A documentary film producer and director based in New York City She is known for social justice documentaries, including Bad Blood: A Cautionary Tale (2010), Cameraperson (2016), and most notably, Charm City (2018). Her recent projects include Netflix Original documentary Becoming with Michelle Obama, which was nominated for four Primetime Emmy awards and Netflix Original documentary Dick Johnson is Dead, which was on the Academy Award Shortlist for Best Documentary in 2021. She is currently an adjunct assistant professor at Columbia University.

Awards

2020 John W. Kluge Prize for Achievement in the Study of Humanity
2017 Democracy Fellow, Social Science Research Council
2017 Honorary Fellow, King’s College Cambridge
2015 Heartland Award, Nonfiction, Our Declaration
2015 Francis Parkman Prize, Our Declaration2015 Zócalo Prize, Our Declaration

Books

Cinematic Visionaries: Stories of Influential Filmmakers
From Script to Screen: A Producer's Guide
Behind the Lens: Tales of a Filmmaker's Journey
Director's Cut: Crafting Stories on Screen
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Marilyn Ness

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About

New York, United States
English, French

A documentary film producer and director based in New York City She is known for social justice documentaries, including Bad Blood: A Cautionary Tale (2010), Cameraperson (2016), and most notably, Charm City (2018). Her recent projects include Netflix Original documentary Becoming with Michelle Obama, which was nominated for four Primetime Emmy awards and Netflix Original documentary Dick Johnson is Dead, which was on the Academy Award Shortlist for Best Documentary in 2021. She is currently an adjunct assistant professor at Columbia University.

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Awards

Official Selection Sundance Film Festival

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$2 million
Speaking Topics
Film Distribution and Marketing Strategies
The Impact of Technology on Filmmaking
Ethics and Social Responsibility in Filmmaking
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Prepared Speeches

Navigating the Challenges of Independent Filmmaking
Independent filmmaking often presents unique challenges, such as limited budgets, resource constraints, and distribution hurdles. In this speech, I discuss strategies for overcoming these obstacles, share personal anecdotes, and two case studies of successful independent filmmakers.
The Power of Visual Storytelling: Exploring the Impact of Cinematography in Filmmaking
I talk about the significance of cinematography in conveying emotions, setting the tone, and enhancing the narrative of a film.

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