DIRECTOR + CINEMATOGRAPHER
ABOUT
Originally from Australia, Christel is an LA based director, cinematographer and producer, dedicated to innovative, socially conscious and comedic storytelling. She's filmed across five continents and nine languages, capturing compelling images and powerful stories - from slums in Kolkata to rural villages in Malawi, dominatrix dungeons in Manhattan and the boardrooms of Capitol Hill.
Her portfolio includes work for Revelations, The White House, PBS, Participant/SoulPancake, The Academy of Motion Pictures, Fusion TV,
Overbrook, Wayfarer Ent, Upworthy, and The Charity Network/2929.
Christel's first experience as a documentarian was at 17 when she set off to Zimbabwe, Egypt and Kenya with a camera to explore how female genital mutilation impacts the lives of women and girls.
She began her career by working as a camera assistant on Obama's White House PSA short docs Joining Forces with Hanks, Spielberg and Oprah, and Through the Wormhole with Morgan Freeman. She's worked on feature-length motion pictures, documentaries, music videos and commercials for demanding agencies, global brands and non-profit organizations, from micro to multi-million dollar budgets.
She graduated with a BA in Communications: Creative Writing from the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS), where she won the UTS Human Rights Award for Women in 08. She also studied International Journalism and Documentary Film at the University of Westminster in London. Throughout her studies, Christel worked with children's organizations on the ground throughout India, Europe, and Africa.
Christel is a former professional dancer having danced in videos for artists Kylie Minogue, Adam Lambert and Maroon 5. She still dances: tap, hip hop and angry ballet, much to the dismay of her neighbors.
NEWS
Christel is repped by agents Matt Chazen and Jacy Schleier at CAA
Recently wrapped The Grief Project - a doc series for PBS/WPSU
Recent press: Aussie Activist Behind the Filmmaker's the Lens in LA
Recently founded filmmaking and femtech lab FEMALE FACTORY