Abby Ellis

Abby Ellis
Born
Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S.
OccupationsDirector, journalist, editor, cinematographer
Years active2012–present

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]

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]

References

  1. ^ "Abby Ellis on Documentary on Flint, Michigan's Contaminated Water Supply". c-span.org. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  2. ^ "Abby Ellis talks about ringing the alarm on the "environmental nuclear bomb" in Utah with her Sundance doc The Lake". documentary.org. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  3. ^ "40 UNDER 40 – CLASS OF 2023". docnyc.net. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  4. ^ "Peabody Awards". imdb.com. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  5. ^ "Film alumni Abby Ellis (BA '11) and Beth Kearsley (BA '21) honored for work on "The Lake" at 2026 Sundance Film Festival". finearts.utah.edu. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  6. ^ "My Dead Dad". brooklynfilmfestival.org. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  7. ^ a b "Abby Ellis". pbs.org. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  8. ^ "Norman Lear & Shonda Rhimes To EP Epix Docu-Series 'America Divided'". deadline.com. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  9. ^ "FRONTLINE: Flint's Deadly Water". kpbs.org. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  10. ^ "New Documentary, 'Shots Fired,' Investigates Police Shootings in Utah". pbs.org. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  11. ^ "Abby Ellis". wallacehouse.umich.edu. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  12. ^ ""The Lake" Chronicles the Urgent Mission to Save the Great Salt Lake from Catastrophic Decline". sundance.org. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  13. ^ ""Flint's Deadly Water" Wins Scripps Howard Award". pbs.org. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  14. ^ "Nominations for the 41th Annual News and Documentary Emmy" (PDF). theemmys.tv. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  15. ^ "Sundance 2026 award winners: 'Josephine' scores 2 big prizes after breakout Park City premiere". goldderby.com. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
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