Multiple award-winning filmmaker Christine Swanson earned her MFA in Film from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, the nation’s top-ranked graduate film program. Recognized early as a talented and complete filmmaker, Christine was selected by NYU faculty as the Willard T.C. Johnson Fellow, the most prestigious fellowship given to the student who has achieved high standards in his or her work.
Christine also earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Notre Dame double majoring in Film Theory and Japanese and was chosen by its Alumni Association as The Rev. Arthur S. Harvey Award recipient acknowledging her achievements in the arts.
Christine has developed, written and/or directed movie projects for various companies including HBO Films, Magnolia Pictures and Faith Filmworks, the independent film company run by Christine and her husband and producer, Michael Swanson. The married couple has been featured in The New York Times, JET Magazine, Uptown Magazine, Christianity Today and CNN as a rising duo to watch in the entertainment industry. CNN also identified Christine as one of the most promising filmmakers to emerge from NYU’s graduate film program since Martin Scorsese, Ang Lee, Oliver Stone and Spike Lee (Christine's NYU directing teacher).
Most recently, Christine wrote and directed the 2008 romantic drama feature film, All About Us, starring Boris Kodjoe, Ryan Bathé, Luke Swanson, LaTanya Richardson, Academy Award nominee Ruby Dee with a special appearance by Academy Award winner Morgan Freeman. All About Us was invited to the prestigious Heartland Film Festival, The Chicago International Film Festival and the Cannes Festival du Film Panafricain.
A heartfelt storyteller, Christine was requested to revise the entire screenplay for Woman Thou Art Loosed before the film headed into production. Woman Thou Art Loosed, starring Kimberly Elise, Loretta Devine and T.D. Jakes, went on to win the 2004 Santa Barbara International Film Festival and the Blockbuster Audience Award for Best Feature Film at the 2004 American Black Film Festival. The film was released in U.S. theaters to great acclaim in October 2004, before becoming a best seller for 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment.
Christine also wrote and directed the “indie classic” romantic comedy All About You, and executive produced its soundtrack album. Christine’s screenplay attracted a talented cast including Renée Goldsberry, Terron Brooks, LisaRaye, Rockmond Dunbar, Vanessa Bell Calloway and Debbie Allen. All About You won several film festival awards, including the Blockbuster Audience Award for Best Feature Film at the American Black Film Festival, Best Domestic Film Audience Choice Award at the Chicago International Film Festival and the Film of the Year Award from the Santa Barbara African Heritage Film Series. All About You was also invited to the Hamptons International and Rhode Island International Film Festivals.
In 2004, Christine directed national commercials for her alma mater, the University of Notre Dame, featuring Emmy winner Martin Sheen and television personality Regis Philbin. The spots were awarded gold medals for best commercials by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education.
Christine’s celebrated short film, Two Seasons, was a Student Academy Award semi-finalist and a 1999 Sundance Film Festival official selection. Two Seasons won the Warner Bros. Pictures Production Award and the HBO Short Film Competition Grand Prize at the 1998 Acapulco Black Film Festival.
A dynamic keynote speaker, guest lecturer and symposium leader, Christine is frequently invited to speak at conferences, colleges and universities on numerous topical issues. Christine is currently adapting a popular novel into a screenplay and is preparing to direct two feature films. A Detroit native, Christine and her husband are the proud parents of four children.
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