Emilie Blythe McDonald

Emilie Blythe McDonald is a film director and screenwriter. She basically grew up in the back of a VW bus, traveling through the U.S. and Mexico. She writes and directs visually arresting films that bring a compassionate eye to often-overlooked characters and the conflicts that permeate their everyday lives. She has written and/or directed several films (many along with her husband Bruce Smolanoff), including CHURROS (2019, winner Hammer to Nail short film contest), QUEEN ANNE'S LACE (2017), MUCK (2015, Best Narrative Short IndieMemphis), CROSSING THE RIVER (2013), OTHER PEOPLE'S HOUSES (2011) and MY ELENA (2010), and feature scripts PUNCH CITY (IFP's No Borders 2017) and BUCKLE MY SOUL (semifinalist Tribeca All Access). Selected festivals include: BAMcinemaFest, Nantucket, Palm Springs, Sarasota, Berkshire, IndieMemphis, Sidewalk & Cucalorus, and labs include Cine Qua Non and IFP's Project Market. Emilie is a founding member of an NYC-based writing group comprised of female directors and currently lives in Albuquerque, NM. With her latest project, FLOR AND AMAN AGAINST THE MOTHERFUCKING WORLD, accolades include participation in The Gotham's U.S. Features in Development section at the 2024 Project Market, Academy Nicholl Fellowships Quarterfinalist, High Scribe Screenwriting Award at the Sun Valley Film Festival, Finalist at Nashville Film Festival's Screenwriting Competition, ScreenCraft Screenwriting Fellowship Quarterfinalist, and a Stowe New Voices New Mexico fellowship.