Kelley Kali Explained

Kelley Kali
Birth Name:Kelley Kali Chatman
Birth Place:Northridge, California, U.S.
Occupation:Director, actor, writer, and producer
Known For:I'M FINE (Thanks for Asking)

Kelley Kali is an American director, actor, writer, and producer. She is the creator of the 2021 indie film I'm Fine (Thanks for Asking), which has won several awards in the film festival circuit.[1] Other directing credits include Lalo's House (2018), Kemba (2022), and Jagged Mind (2023).

Early life and education

Kali was born Kelley Kali Chatman, in Northridge, California.[2]

She got her bachelor's degree in anthropology, with majors in archeology and minors in film and classical civilization from Howard University.[2] As a student there, Kali directed on multiple episodes for the Belize dramatic television series Noh Matta Wat![3] [4]

She attended the USC School of Cinematic Arts in TV and Film Production program, graduating with a Master of Fine Arts in 2018. She released the short film Lalo's House (2018), a drama concerning child sex trafficking in Haiti. According to Kali, the film was nine years in the making and had been part of her application project as well as her thesis project for University of Southern California (USC).[5] [6] The film won the Programmers Award at the Pan African Film Festival.[7]

Kali was professionally trained in acting at Ivana Chubbuck Studios and received training in directing from the University of California. Whilst a student, she was the President of the USC School of Cinematic Arts Graduate Council, and represented the school at USC Graduate Student Government events within the USC.

Career

In 2020, Kali directed, wrote, produced, and starred in the feature film, I'm Fine (Thanks for Asking), which was released in 2021.[8] [9] She was also selected to work with Ron Howard and Brian Grazer's company New Form to develop her web series, The Discovery of Dit Dodson.[10]

In 2022, she directed the film Kemba, which was produced by MPI,[11] and premiered at the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival in 2023.[10]

In 2023, she directed and produced the film Jagged Mind starring Maisie Richardson-Sellers.[8] [9] The film premiered at the American Black Film Festival, Miami in June 2023.[12]

Awards

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 'I'm Fine (Thanks For Asking)' director Kelley Kali . fox5dc.com . October 22, 2021.
  2. Web site: Kelley Kali . cinepobre.org . 24 February 2023.
  3. Web site: 7 News Belize . www.7newsbelize.com . 24 February 2023.
  4. Web site: Local T.V. drama set for second season | Channel5Belize.com. 24 February 2023.
  5. Web site: USC Cinematic Arts | School of Cinematic Arts News. cinema.usc.edu.
  6. Web site: Kelley Kali . Blavity Engineering . Team . Shadow and Act.
  7. Web site: Voices of Black Women Get Lift from Virtual Film Series - Pan African Film & Arts Festival (PAFF) . March 9, 2022.
  8. Web site: Kelley Kali . mubi.com . 2 October 2022.
  9. Web site: Kelley Kali | Apple TV (CA). Apple TV . 6 July 2022.
  10. Web site: KEMBA - Lauderhill Performing Arts Center . cinema.usc.edu.
  11. Web site: Nesta Cooper To Star In Drama 'Kemba' From MPI & BET; Kelley Kali Directing . Matt . Grobar . September 16, 2022.
  12. Web site: Jagged Mind - Interview with Director Kelley Kali . Gadi Elkon . vimeo.com . 24 February 2023.
  13. Web site: Academy Announces Recipients of 2021 Golden Fellowship For Women – Film News in Brief . Jennifer . Yuma . December 16, 2021.
  14. Web site: SXSW Film Festival: 'The Fallout' And Docu 'Lily Topples The World' Among Jury Award Winners . Dino-Ray . Ramos . March 19, 2021.
  15. Web site: Kelley Kali and Angelique Molina's SXSW Winner "I'm Fine (Thanks for Asking)" Lands at BET Her . womenandhollywood.com.
  16. Web site: USC Tops DGA Student Film Awards For Second Straight Year . David . Robb . December 4, 2018.
  17. Web site: KCET's Fine Cut Announces Student Winners Ahead of Oct. 2 Broadcast . thehollywoodtimes.today . The Hollywood Times . March 5, 2023 . Judy. Shields . September 27, 2019. press release.
  18. Web site: Shadow And Act RISING Award Winner Kelley Kali Wins Jury Award And More At Diversity In Cannes Showcase . Monique . Jones . Shadow and Act.
  19. Web site: The 30th Annual Florida Film FestivalL Announces Grand Jury & Audience Award Winners . floridafilmfestival.com . September 2022.