Emily Abt

Emily Abt is an award-winning filmmaker dedicated to creating both fiction and documentary projects that illuminate and grapple with current socio-political themes. She is also the founder and President of Pureland Pictures Inc., a Brooklyn-based production company that produces commercials and independent features. Abt's first film, Take It From Me, is a feature length documentary about the human impact of welfare reform. Take It From Me aired nationwide on PBS as part of the 2001 season of P.O.V, and has screened at more than 2000 educational institutions nationwide. The film was awarded the 2002 Henry Hampton Award. It was also lauded by the New York Times, chosen as People magazine's 'Pick of the Week', and Abt was featured in Vibe magazine as a filmmaker on the rise. In 2004 Abt received her MFA in Film Directing from Columbia University's graduate film school where she wrote, directed and co-produced two 16mm fiction shorts, Aisha the American (2004) and Fancy Girl (2002). Aisha the American, Abt's thesis film, was created when she was awarded a year-long Fulbright fellowship to live in London and collaborate with local Muslim girls.

Abt has worked as a freelance producer, camera operator and director for clients such as Johnson & Johnson, MTV News & Docs, the E! Network, True Entertainment and Grey Advertising. In 2004, she developed a public service-related reality television series for MTV's News and Docs Division. Also in 2004, Abt won faculty honors at the Columbia University Film Festival for her feature script Toe To Toe. Recently, the script was selected for IFP's 2007 market as a 'No Borders' project. Toe To Toe is in the late stages of development with plans to begin production in Spring 2008.

Abt recently directed 9 spots for an on-line campaign for Johnson & Johnson. She also recently completed All of Us, her second documentary feature, about a young doctor's fight against HIV/AIDS among black women. Abt's films have screened at festivals nationwide and she has received production grants from the UK Fulbright Commission, Jerome Foundation, North Star Fund, The Playboy Foundation, The Lucius & Eva Eastman Fund, Open Meadows Foundation, The Valentine Foundation, International Women's Health Coalition and the Third Wave Foundation among others.