Jilann Spitzmiller is a multifaceted filmmaker with an impressive array of credits to her name. As a director, writer, and producer, she has made significant contributions to both fiction and nonfiction films.
Her feature documentary work has earned her over 20 awards, and she was recently accepted into Sundance Co//ab's television writing track for a dramedy series. This opportunity allowed her to work one-on-one with a renowned executive producer and showrunner to refine her pilot script.
Spitzmiller has also had a successful stint as the Head of Nonfiction at Meow Wolf, where she directed the feature film Meow Wolf: Origin Story. The film received widespread acclaim, garnering a 100% Rotten Tomatoes score for over six months. It was released in over 600 theaters after a rousing premiere at SXSW.
In addition to her work on Meow Wolf: Origin Story, Spitzmiller directed two fiction shorts for Meow Wolf's newest exhibit in Las Vegas. These shorts were part of the immersive storyworld content featured in the exhibit.
Throughout her career, Spitzmiller has received support from several prominent foundations, including ITVS, The Sundance Institute, and many others. Her documentary work has been recognized with numerous awards and has aired on a variety of networks, including Sundance Channel, Starz/Encore, PBS, and more.
Some of her most notable credits include the cult favorite Shakespeare Behind Bars, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and was funded by the Sundance Institute, BBC Storyville, and ITVS. The film went on to win 11 awards and was broadcast on a range of networks around the world.
Spitzmiller has also directed and written award-winning features such as Still Dreaming and Homeland, which aired nationally on PBS. Homeland was selected for ITVS' True Stories series, a curated program that highlights authentic American stories from around the world.
Her work has appeared on a variety of networks, including NBC, BBC, POV, Al Jazeera, CBC, Canal+, VH1, Discovery, and many others. She has also directed and written episodic documentary content for Discovery and NBC, as well as directed and shot episodic content for Bravo and A&E.
In addition to her work in front of the camera, Spitzmiller has also mentored at several labs and festivals, including the Latino Producers Academy, AFI Docs, Berkeley Advanced Media Institute, and Oregon Doc Camp.
