Abby Ellis
American documentary filmmaker
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Abby Ellis is an American documentary filmmaker, journalist, editor, and cinematographer.[1][2] In 2023, she was named to DOC NYC's "40 Under 40" list and won a Peabody Award.[3][4]
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Abby Ellis | |
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| Born | Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S. |
| Occupations | Director, journalist, editor, cinematographer |
| Years active | 2012–present |
Life and career
Abby graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in film from the University of Utah in 2011 and has taught as an adjunct professor at the university.[5] She began her career at VICE as an editor, where she developed, produced, and edited several of the network’s shows, including Vice (TV series) on HBO.[6] She has contributed to PBS Frontline as a producer and director.[7] She later served as Filmmaker-in-Residence at PBS, where she produced and directed three films.[7] Prior to that, she developed and produced a six-part series on inequality in America Divided alongside Norman Lear, Shonda Rhimes, and Common.[8]
Abby’s Frontline directing credits include Flint’s Deadly Water (2019) and Shots Fired (2021).[9][10] In 2022, she earned her a nomination for the Livingston Award.[11] Her 2026 feature documentary, The Lake (2026), premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, where it received the Special Jury Prize.[12]
Selected filmography
| Year | Title | Contribution | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | America Divided | Producer | 5 Episodes |
| 2017 | American Patriot | Producer | Documentary |
| 2019 | Flint’s Deadly Water | Director and writer | Documentary |
| 2021 | Shots Fired | Director, writer, cinematographer and producer | Documentary |
| 2026 | The Lake | Director, editor, cinematographer and producer | Documentary |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Result | Award | Category | Work | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Won | Scripps Howard Awards | National/International Coverage | Flint’s Deadly Water | [13] |
| Nominated | News and Documentary Emmy Awards | Outstanding Investigative Documentary | [14] | ||
| 2026 | Won | Sundance Film Festival | U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award | The Lake | [15] |
