Maggie Betts

Margaret Betts is an American filmmaker. Her debut feature Novitiate was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival and received a Jury Award for her direction.[1]

Margaret Betts
Born
New York City, New York, United States
OccupationFilmmaker
Notable workNovitiate

Background

Her father is Roland W. Betts, who had a close personal relationship with former president George W. Bush. The themes of her films are largely inspired by the social consciousness she developed through interactions with former first lady Laura Bush[2] and the work she has done with various United Nations organizations such as UNICEF.[3]

Career

Though she recently signed with CAA, she is also represented by Brillstein Entertainment Partners.[4] She earned her BA in English from Princeton University, and though she was not ultimately selected, earned a coveted spot on Marvel's shortlist of potential directors for Black Widow.[5]

Films

The Carrier

Betts gained renown following the debut of her 2010 documentary, The Carrier,[6] at the Tribeca Film Festival.[7] This film was largely inspired by her experience fighting to eradicate AIDS in South Africa. The documentary was also selected for festivals such as Big Sky Documentary Film Festival (2012), Documentary Edge Film Festival (2012), One World International Film Festival (2012), Sedona Film Festival (2012), Women's Film Festival (2012), Minneapolis St. Paul Film Festival (2012), Lone Star Film Festival (2011), Zurich Film Festival (2011), The 15th Annual Docu Weeks, and Watch Docs Human Rights Film Festival (2011).[3]

Engram

Betts wrote and directed the film, Engram (2014),[8][9] a 25-minute short film featuring Isabel Lucas and Oliver Ackland. This film focuses on the story of two elderly strangers attempting to re-discover a mutual memory as they waited to board a subway train.[10] Betts claimed that the original inspiration for Engram was derived from the experience her mother had as a survivor of a hit-and-run accident in her youth.[2]

Oliver Ackland and Isabel Lucas in Engram

Novitiate

Betts also served as the writer and director[11] of the film Novitiate (2017).[12] After participation in the Sundance Film Festival in 2017, this film was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize.[12] It explores the story of a young woman who struggles to understand her newly selected religion as she strives to become a nun.[12]

The Burial

Betts also served as the director of the 2023 film The Burial, starring Tommy Lee Jones, Jamie Foxx, and Jurnee Smollett.[13][14][15]

Awards and recognition

References
  1. Debruge, Peter (28 January 2017). "Sundance winners: 'I don't feel at home in this world anymore,' 'Dina' top festival awards". Variety. Retrieved 9 November 2017.
  2. Bernstein, Jacob (2014-04-02). "Maggie Betts: Socialite Turned Filmmaker". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2017-03-04.
  3. "Maggie Betts, Writer / Producer / Director". The Carrier, Filmmakers. 27 June 2011. Archived from the original on 27 June 2011.
  4. Ford, Rebecca (2017-02-03). "'Novitiate' Director Maggie Betts Signs With CAA (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter.
  5. Fleming, Mike Jr. (20 June 2018). "Marvel Eyes Female Helmers For 'Black Widow' Film: Watch For Cate Shortland". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
  6. Betts, Margaret (2000-01-01), The Carrier, retrieved 2017-03-04
  7. "Meet the 2011 Tribeca Filmmakers | "The Carrier" Director Maggie Betts". IndieWire. 14 April 2011. Retrieved 2017-03-04.
  8. Lucas, Isabel; Ackland, Oliver; Epstein, Alvin; Patton, Lucille (2000-01-01), Engram, retrieved 2017-03-04
  9. "Engram's Best Bet". W Magazine. April 2014. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
  10. Betker, Ally (26 March 2014). "Maggie Betts's New Film Engram Is an Experiment in 'Orgasmic Imagery'". Vogue.
  11. "Margaret Betts to Direct Melissa Leo in Nun Drama 'Novitiate'". Women and Hollywood. 7 December 2015.
  12. Agron, Dianna; Saylor, Morgan; Qualley, Margaret; O'Hare, Denis (2017-01-20), "Novitiate", IMDB
  13. Kroll, Justin (November 10, 2020). "Jamie Foxx To Produce And Star In 'The Burial' For Amazon Studios With Maggie Betts Directing". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
  14. Fleming, Mike Jr. (October 13, 2021). "Tommy Lee Jones To Star Opposite Jamie Foxx In Amazon's 'The Burial,' Replacing His 'The Fugitive' Co-Star Harrison Ford". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
  15. King, Aidan (November 19, 2021). "Jurnee Smollett Joins Jamie Foxx, Tommy Lee Jones in Courtroom Drama 'The Burial'". Collider. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
  16. Luers, Eric (19 October 2017). "Nominations announced for 27th annual IFP Gotham awards". Independent Feature Project (IFP). Retrieved 10 November 2017.
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