Writer-Director & Filmmaker; Known for "Pariah," "Mudbound" & "Bessie"; Academy Award-Nominated Screenwriter
Dee Rees Biography
Dee Rees is an American writer-director recognized for her contributions to independent and mainstream cinema, particularly in the areas of Black and LGBT storytelling. A graduate of New York University's film program and a Sundance Screenwriting and Directing Lab Fellow, Rees has influenced American cinema with her distinctive perspective. After leaving a corporate position as a brand manager to pursue filmmaking, she navigated challenges in financing her early projects, which led to the creation of several acclaimed films. During her time at NYU, Rees met Spike Lee, who became a mentor.
Rees often draws from her personal experiences in her work, notably in her first major film, "Pariah." The film, which began as a short during her studies at NYU and later expanded into a feature, follows a young Black teen navigating the process of coming out to friends and family. "Pariah" premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, where it received the U.S. Dramatic Competition Excellence in Cinematography Award and was acquired by Focus Features. The film earned the John Cassavetes Award at the Independent Spirit Awards, the Gotham Award for Best Breakthrough Director, and Outstanding Film – Limited Release at the GLAAD Media Awards. Rees was also named to the New York Times 10 Directors to Watch list.
Rees directed the film "Bessie," featuring Queen Latifah as singer Bessie Smith. The film received four Primetime Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Television Movie, and garnered Rees nominations for Outstanding Writing and Outstanding Directing. "Bessie" was also nominated for four Critics' Choice Awards, and Rees received the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Movies for Television and Miniseries, as well as the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Directing in a Television Movie.
Collaborating with Virgil Williams, Rees co-wrote and directed "Mudbound," a period drama adapted from Hillary Jordan's novel, featuring Carey Mulligan, Garrett Hedlund, Jason Clarke, Jason Mitchell, and Mary J. Blige. "Mudbound" received four Academy Award nominations, including Best Adapted Screenplay, making Rees the first African American woman nominated in the Writing category. Both "Pariah" and "Mudbound" are included in the Criterion Collection, placing Rees's work alongside films by Martin Scorsese, Alfred Hitchcock, and Akira Kurosawa.
Rees has also written and directed episodes for the Fox series "Empire" and the ABC miniseries "When We Rise," which chronicles the history of the modern gay rights movement. Her film "The Last Thing He Wanted" stars Anne Hathaway as a Washington, D.C., journalist and is adapted from Joan Didion's novel. Rees's films explore themes such as Black womanhood, history, and social conflict, establishing her as a significant voice in contemporary American cinema and LGBTQ representation.
Dee Rees Videos
Celebrating Pride Month with ‘Pariah’ director Dee Rees
Dee Rees is being named the first African American female director to have a film in the prestigious Criterion Collection, which includes some of the...
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What topics does Dee Rees speak about?
Dee Rees is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Actor, Anti-Racism, Black Heritage, DEI, Diversity & Inclusion, Female Leadership, Influential Women, LGBTQ, Social Activism, Television & Film -
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Dee Rees is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics. The estimated speaking fee range to book Dee Rees for your event is available upon request. Dee Rees generally travels from New York, NY, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Ava DuVernay, Julie Dash, Lena Waithe, Amandla Stenberg and Cynthia Erivo. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Dee Rees for an upcoming live or virtual event.
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