Kelley Kali

Kelley Kali is an American director, actor, writer, and producer. She is the creator of the 2021 indie film I'm Fine (Thanks for Asking), which has won several awards in the film festival circuit. Other directing credits include Lalo's House, Kemba (2022), and Jagged Mind (2023).

Early life and education Kali was born Kelley Kali Chatman,

She got her bachelor's degree in anthropology, with majors in archeology and minors in film and classical civilization from Howard University.

She attended the USC School of Cinematic Arts in TV and Film Production program, The film won the Programmers Award at the Pan African Film Festival.

Kali was professionally trained in acting at Ivana Chubbuck Studios and received training in directing from the University of California. She was also selected to work with Ron Howard and Brian Grazer's company New Form to develop her web series, The Discovery of Dit Dodson.

In 2022, she directed the film Kemba, which was produced by MPI, and premiered at the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival in 2023.

Awards

2021 Academy Gold Fellowship SXSW Special Jury Recognition for Multi-Hyphenate Storyteller to Kelley Kali 45th Annual Student Academy Award Directors Guild of America Student Filmmaker Award KCET Fine Cut Award Shadow and Act's “Rising Award” Diversity in Cannes Showcase, sponsored by Viola Davis and Julius Tennon's JuVee Productions - Jury Award and Audience Award Paul Robeson Award – Noh Matta Wat! Best Short Film at Calcutta International Cult Films Festival – Lola's House Carthage Film Festival Award – Lola's House The Programmers' Award at the Oscar - qualifying Pan African Film Festival