Chanel Monét James

Chanel Monét James (she/they) is a filmmaker, editor, and archivist. They create stories that explore human experiences, foster understanding, and highlight the link between music and mental health. After earning a BFA in Digital Filmmaking, Chanel released her first original narrative short, LIE AWAKE, in 2012. Her narrative feature, THE THINGS WE DO WHEN WE’RE ALONE (2018), won Best American Feature Film at the Cape Verdean American Film Festival and screened at New Filmmakers NY, Y’allywood, and Black Cinema House. Their co-directorial debut, AS OF YET (2021), premiered at the TriBeCa Film Festival, where it received the Nora Ephron Award, and screened at the Philly, Denver, and Florida film festivals. Chanel is currently developing multiple series and film projects, including MIDDLETOWN, which has been selected for development at HerArts Film Lab.

MIDDLETOWN (TV series)
MIDDLETOWN follows the young, movie-worshiping employees of Middletown Cinema – a place where life reflects art - under the guidance of their empathic yet jaded manager, Tully. Amidst economic downturn in their small Mid-Atlantic town the gang fight to keep their theater afloat.