Michele Ohayon is a renowned director, writer, and producer, celebrated for her exceptional work in the film industry. Born in Casablanca and raised in Israel, she received her education at Tel Aviv University, graduating with a degree in Film and Television, following her service in the Israeli army.
Ohayon's critically acclaimed feature documentaries include the 1987 film "It was a Wonderful Life," narrated by Jodie Foster, which was broadcast on PBS, as well as "Colors Straight Up" (1997),which received numerous award nominations, including an Academy Award nomination, and won 13 National awards. Her other notable documentaries include "Cowboy del Amor" (2005),"Steal a Pencil for Me" (2007),produced with Netflix, and "S.OS./State of Security" (2010),which premiered at the Berlin Film Festival.
Ohayon's impressive body of work also includes the 1984 Israeli Best Film Award-winning film "Pressure," which tackled the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, making it one of the first dramatic films to address this sensitive topic. In 1987, she relocated to Los Angeles, where she went on to direct numerous acclaimed documentary features.
In addition to her documentary work, Ohayon has also made tribute films for notable individuals, including Angelina Jolie and Jean Claude Carriere. Her films have been narrated by prominent actors, such as Morgan Freeman and Jeremy Irons, and have featured notable celebrities, including Richard Gere, Natalie Portman, Juliet Binoche, and Isabelle Huppert.
Ohayon has also moderated high-profile events, including the first TV summit for the Berlin Film Festival and "Hollywood Inside and Out" at the Sarajevo film festival. She has served on juries for various film festivals, including the Berlin and Sarajevo festivals.
As the CEO and co-founder of Kavana Entertainment, based in Los Angeles, Ohayon aims to bridge the gap between Hollywood and Europe, providing seminars, lectures, and consulting services for filmmakers worldwide. She is also a fiction film writer, with numerous screenplays developed by major studios, including MGM, Focus Films, and Starz cable.
Throughout her career, Ohayon has received numerous awards and recognition, including the 1996 and 1998 Artist's Grant from the Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department and the Chesterfield Writing Competition award in 2000. She is a member of the Academy of Motion Pictures, serving on the International committee, foreign film committee, and educational/grants committee, as well as a member of the WGA, PGA, and IDA.
