Carey McKenzie is a multifaceted screenwriter and director with a profound affinity for factual material and adaptation, consistently showcasing her versatility and range across various genres and mediums.
Most recently, she has penned a feature adaptation of Joan Didion's political romance, Democracy, which is currently in development. This prestigious project adds to her impressive portfolio, which already boasts a notable credit as a writer in Netflix's refugee drama, Transatlantic (2023).
In addition to her work in scripted television, Carey has also made a significant impact in the world of documentary filmmaking. Her critically acclaimed directorial debut, Cold Harbour (2013),a gritty South African crime thriller, premiered at the prestigious New York African Film Festival at Lincoln Center and received a wide release across twenty screens in Southern Africa. The film subsequently aired on M-Net Africa and was made available for streaming on Netflix.
Carey's innovative approach to documentary storytelling is perhaps best exemplified by her 2004 film, Original Child Bomb, a stylistically groundbreaking art doc that explores the human cost of nuclear weapons. This thought-provoking film premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival, won the grand jury prize at Silverdocs, and screened at the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) and the Japan Society in New York City. It has also been made available on the Sundance Channel and YouTube.
In recent years, Carey has continued to produce and direct impactful documentaries, including The Crisis Scientists (2023),a short film that sheds light on the work of IPCC lead authors, and Arresting Science (2023),a feature-length documentary that tells the story of NASA earth scientist Peter Kalmus and his courageous fight against fossil fuel investments.
Carey's educational background is equally impressive, with a master's degree in English from Cambridge University, where she was an active member of the student theater community. She later earned an MFA in film from NYU Tisch, where she was awarded the prestigious Carl Lerner scholarship. Carey has also participated in residencies in Berlin and New York, and currently resides in Lisbon.
