Person Biography:
Gita Pullapilly is a renowned screenwriter, producer, and director, celebrated for her captivating and genuine storytelling style. Her creative journey has been marked by numerous accolades and milestones.
In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Pullapilly and her husband, her creative partner, directed the comedy film Queenpins, starring Kristen Bell, Vince Vaughn, Paul Walter Hauser, and Kirby. The film's impressive streaming sale led to its inclusion in the Netflix global Top 10 for several weeks.
In 2015, Pullapilly was awarded the prestigious Guggenheim Fellowship for her work as a filmmaker. She and her writing and directing partner, Aron Gaudet, were selected for the 2015 Black List for their screenplay, Crook County.
In 2014, Pullapilly was recognized as one of Variety's "10 Directors To Watch" for her narrative feature directorial debut, Beneath The Harvest Sky. The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and later at the Tribeca Film Festival, where it was acquired by Tribeca Films for distribution.
In 2013, Pullapilly won the "Euphoria Calvin Klein Spotlight on Women Filmmakers Live the Dream Grant" at the Gotham Awards.
In 2009, Pullapilly co-wrote and produced the national, Emmy-nominated documentary, The Way We Get By, a heartwarming story about three senior citizens finding purpose in their life. The film premiered at the South by Southwest Film Festival, won 18 festival awards worldwide, and aired on the critically acclaimed, independent television series P.O.V. on PBS as a prime time special.
In 2012, Pullapilly was one of the creators and executive producers on the national U.S. PBS program Lifecasters, which premiered at the Film Society of Lincoln Center.
Throughout her career, Pullapilly has received numerous grants for her projects from organizations such as ITVS, CPB, POV, MacArthur Foundation, and Fledgling Fund.
In 2007, Pullapilly was selected as a WGBH Filmmaker-in-Residence. In 2005, she was chosen as the first filmmaker to become a Fulbright Senior Scholar to Jordan.
In addition to her work in the entertainment field, Pullapilly is the founder of The Center for International Training, Education and Development, Inc., a non-profit organization focused on training aid organizations in developing countries on how to champion and prioritize social issues with the media. She has worked in various developing countries, including Vietnam, Kenya, and India, focusing on cancer and women's rights initiatives.
Pullapilly holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Finance from the University of Notre Dame and a master's degree from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.
