Christina Kallas is a pioneering female writer-director who has made a significant impact in the film industry with her critically acclaimed feature films. Born with a rich musical background, Kallas has drawn inspiration from her diverse experiences living in various countries and continents, which has significantly influenced her unique filmmaking approach.
Kallas has showcased her exceptional talent as the writer-director of genre-bending feature films, including "Paris is in Harlem" (2023),"The Rainbow Experiment" (2018),and "42 Seconds of Happiness" (2016). Additionally, she has worked as the writer-producer of the Golden Berlin Bear-nominated political thriller "The Commissioner", starring John Hurt.
"Paris is in Harlem" was one of the six feature films selected for the prestigious Breakouts slate at the Slamdance International Film Festival, which recognizes directors who demonstrate a distinct vision and push the boundaries of filmmaking. The film received rave reviews and a perfect RT score after screening in competition at various international film festivals, including Galway, Munich, and Thessaloniki. It has also been featured on airlines such as Emirates and Qatar Airways.
"The Rainbow Experiment" was hailed as a "21st Century Rashomon" and was picked up by Paramount+ after its international debut at the Moscow International Film Festival, the FIRST International FF in China, and an impressive run at festivals such as Moscow, Slamdance, Cinequest, Cleveland, and St. Louis, winning several accolades. In 2019, Kallas was nominated for Best Director in Film Threat's and Comedy Central's inaugural Award This! initiative, alongside notable directors such as Debra Granik, Josephine Decker, Chloe Zhao, Mimi Leder, Boots Riley, Bo Burnham, Alex Garland, Ali Abbasi, and Paul Dano.
In 2016, Kallas made her mark on the film festival circuit with her award-winning debut feature as a director, "42 Seconds of Happiness". Prior to this, she had a successful career as a screenwriter, TV writer, and film producer, with credits including BBC Films' hooligan drama "I.D.", Toronto and Berlinale doc/narrative hybrid "Mothers", and European TV series hits "Edel & Stark" and "Danni Lowinski", as well as limited series "The Second Attack" and "Displaced".
Kallas has also held various leadership roles, serving as President of the European Writers Guild equivalent, FSE, for eight years and as chair of film funds such as the German Federal Film Board (FFA) and the Balkan Fund. Holding a PhD in film studies, Kallas has taught screenwriting and directing at prominent institutions such as Columbia, NYU, Feirstein, and the DFFB. She is also a mentor for the Venice International Film Festival's Biennale College Cinema and the author of books such as "Creative Screenwriting: Understanding Emotional Structure" and "Inside the Writers' Room".
