One of the most versatile voices in contemporary storytelling, Janicza Bravo pushes creative boundaries and seamlessly moves between film, television, and acting. From her Sundance Grand Jury Prize–winning short Gregory Go Boom to the critically acclaimed feature Zola, Janicza’s impressive filmography showcases her ability to blend sharp wit with incisive observations about race, identity, and human behaviour. Not content to work within a single medium, her distinctive visual style has elevated everything from indie films to the most acclaimed TV episodes including Atlanta, Poker Face, Dear White People, The Bear, and The Listeners, while maintaining her theatrical roots. Janicza’s expertise in transforming unconventional narratives — like a viral Twitter thread — into compelling cinema has earned her collaborations with top-tier talent and established her as a fearless storyteller unafraid to tackle provocative material.
Join us for a deep dive into her cinematic world. We’ll explore her bold and distinctive visual style, her knack for transforming real-life chaos into surrealist satire, and how she captures the zeitgeist with electric energy and incisive social commentary.
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Photo by Pat Martin
Janicza Bravo
Janicza Bravo is an award-winning director, writer, and producer who continues to push creative boundaries by breathing life into the most distinctive of stories. Bravo is known for her ability to blend uncomfortable humor with social commentary, often exploring themes of race, identity, and human behavior.
She directed and co-wrote A24’s Zola, based on the viral 148-tweet thread by A’ziah “Zola” King. The film premiered at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival and received seven Film Independent Spirit Award nominations, including Best Director and Best Feature.
Her debut feature Lemon premiered at Sundance in 2017 and was sold to Magnolia Pictures. Earlier, her short film Gregory Go Boom won the Jury Prize for U.S. Fiction at Sundance.
Bravo’s television credits include Atlanta (the “Juneteenth” episode), Divorce, In Treatment, Dear White People, The Bear, Poker Face, Mrs. America, and the BBC drama The Listeners. She also directed and starred in Lena Dunham’s Netflix series Too Much.
See More Talks at VIFF
Breaking the Rules: Janicza Bravo on Unconventional Narratives and Fearless Filmmaking
From her Sundance winner Gregory Go Boom to the acclaimed Zola, Janicza Bravo transforms chaos into surrealist cinema gold. Her bold vision has elevated episodes of Atlanta, The Bear, and Poker Face. Join us for a talk with this fearless storyteller.
From Intimate to Infinite With Writer, Creator Jenny Lumet
From Rachel Getting Married to Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Jenny Lumet is a master storyteller. She's forged a unique path, building a career that champions diverse voices and crafts deeply human stories. Join us as she shares her journey.
Making It Happen With Jeremy Dawson, Producer: From Aronofsky to Anderson
From title designer to award-winning producer, Jeremy Dawson has played a role in some of your favourite movies. Join us to hear about his journey through cinema and his collaborations with filmmaking giants like Wes Anderson and Darren Aronofsky.
Reshaping Storytelling With Zacharias Kunuk, Director
Join us for an intimate conversation with legendary Inuk filmmaker Zacharias Kunuk, whose masterpiece Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner won the Caméra d'Or at Cannes and helped pave the way for more authentic voices in cinema.