Kelly Anderson makes documentaries about the interplay between personal stories and the larger social forces that shape people’s lives but often remain invisible or unexamined. Her work clusters around themes of the city (New York, in particular) and issues of mental health – both of which have shaped her life. Anderson believes in the creative power of collaboration, and in being open to new ideas and frameworks while retaining a commitment to equity and social justice.

Her films have been broadcast on POV, America ReFramed and HBO. They have been shown in festivals including the Tribeca Film Festival, Sundance, Slamdance, Rotterdam and the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival. From 2015 to 2017, she was the co-chair of the filmmaker-owned distribution cooperative New Day Films.

For 30 years, Anderson has found a home at Hunter College of the City University of New York. She currently is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Film and Media Studies, and faculty in the department’s Integrated Media Arts (IMA) MFA program.