One Voice Can Change a Room: Professor Elyse Kelly

Elyse Kelly is an award-winning director and producer based in the U.S. with a passion for human-centered stories. With a background in both animation and traditional documentary filmmaking, Kelly approaches her work through a unique lens combining bold, unapologetic animated visuals with mindful nonfiction storytelling.

Kelly's work has won awards and been exhibited in festivals worldwide, including Sundance, Tribeca, Annecy, Zagreb, and OIAF. She's also directed award-winning campaigns and content for clients such as Netflix, the ACLU, The Atlantic, Sesame Workshop, Sony Music, the United Nations Foundation, and Meow Wolf.

Kelly is the creative force behind Neon Zoo, an independent film studio with a passion for giving a platform and voice to the untold, unexpected, and sometimes taboo stories.

Alongside her career as a filmmaker, Kelly is an educator, currently teaching animation at Georgetown University.