Debra Kirschner is a talented writer, director, and producer known for crafting painfully honest stories about relatable, imperfect women who often bear a striking resemblance to herself. Her notable work includes the indie feature film "The Tollbooth", which boasted an impressive cast featuring Marla Sokoloff, Idina Menzel, Tovah Feldhuh, and Rob McElhenney, and successfully secured theatrical, DVD, and VOD distribution.
Debra's latest feature script, "Mallwalkers", has garnered significant recognition, having won the prestigious NYWIFT/Ravenal Grant, as well as invitations to participate in the Cine Qua Non Lab, Stowe Story Lab, and the Wscripted List of Excellent Scripts at the Cannes Film Festival. Furthermore, her pilot script "Sketch" was developed at the 2021 Athena Film Festival Television Writers Lab.
In addition to her feature film work, Debra has also created the pilot "Frog Kissers", the web series "The Happy Mommy Hustle", and the short film "Changing Clothes". Her impressive portfolio also includes writing, directing, and producing several promotional videos and EPKs, as well as activist videos for the group Rise and Resist.
Debra's dedication to her craft extends beyond her professional work, as she has also founded and led a creative writing program for homeless adults at the Hoboken Shelter and a creative writing workshop for "Prime Time" Women over sixty in Brooklyn. These experiences have not only honed her writing skills but also inspired her latest feature script, "Mallwalkers".
As a professor, Debra shares her expertise with students at Brooklyn College, teaching screenwriting, and at Fordham University, where she instructs digital video production. Her passion for storytelling, coupled with her impressive body of work, has solidified her position as a talented and influential voice in the world of filmmaking.
