Jillian Schlesinger

Jillian Schlesinger is a writer, producer, editor and independent filmmaker based in Brooklyn, New York. She graduated from Brown University with a degree in creative writing and linguistic anthropology.^[1] Schlesinger is widely known for her documentary Maidentrip which won an Audience Award at SXSW and the Festival Director's Award at Mountainfilm in Telluride. Schlesinger is also known for her work in various other roles on documentaries such as writing, story development, and archival research. Schlesinger has written, produced and edited many promotions for televisions networks including AMC, Sundance Channel, and BBC America. In 2010, she received the PromaxBDA Award for Sundance Channel's Dysfunctional Family Thanksgiving.^[2]

Maidentrip

In 2009, Schlesinger read a New York Times article about a young Dutch woman named Laura Dekker with intentions to sail around the world alone at the age of 14. The story captured her attention and she made an effort to get in touch with Dekker, who was notably media-shy at the time. They developed a bond and a plan for the film. The two set off on the adventure of making it. Schlesinger worked on the film with a crew of mostly women and collaborated closely with her subject.^[3] She met Dekker 10 times over the course of the 17-month voyage and spent six months editing with Penelope Falk. The film debuted at SXSW Film Festival in 2013 to positive reviews and received the Visions Audience Award. The film was acquired and released by First Run Features.

Schlesinger wanted to make sure to capture the view point of a strong woman. This is also why she hired a mostly all female crew.^[4] She also was able to relate to Dekker with the determination because Schlesinger was determined to make a new film.^[5] Dekker also became the unofficial co-director and shot all the scenes at sea herself.^[6]

Next for Schlesinger

Schlesinger said she has "a few ideas, some on the documentary side, some on the narrative side, both related to young women".^[7]

Filmography

Maidentrip : 2014

Awards and Nominations

Audience Award at SXSW (Maidentrip)

Festival Director's Award at Mountainfilm in Telluride (Maidentrip)

Nomination for Gotham Awards Audience Choice Award (Maidentrip)

Nomination Cinema Eye Honors Outstanding Achievement in Animation (Maidentrip)

10 Women Directors to Watch in 2014 by Paste Magazine

References

1. Maidentrip
2. Jillian Schlesinger
3. Director Jillian Schlesinger on "Maidentrip" and Collaborating with the Subject of Her Documentary
4. Maidentrip Director Jillian Schlesinger on How She Made Her First First Film (with a Mostly Female Crew)
5. Catching Up with Jillian Schlesinger, The Director of "Maidentrip"