I’m best known for my ability to use a quirky sense of humor and irony, first-person storytelling chops and the power of transparency to tackle some of the most pressing issues of our time — from reproductive technology, corporate malfeasance and toxic chemical exposure to the climate crisis, the “politics of disaster” and deep grief. Three of my films premiered at Sundance and were broadcast nationally on PBS (POV, Independent Lens), HBO and The Sundance Channel. Blue Vinyl received the 2002 Sundance Excellence Award in Cinematography and two Emmy nominations and its prequel, A Healthy Baby Girl, won a 1997 Peabody Award…
Judith has taught at University of Wisconsin (Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies), NYU’s Department of Undergraduate Film and Television and the New School University. She presents on a range of topics including introductory and advanced documentary production and storytelling,
Judith speaks with passion, experience and great depth of knowledge in the field. As Co-Founder and Creative Director of Chicken and Egg Pictures, since 2005 Judith has helped raise over $3.2 million in grants and provided over 4500 hours of mentorship to women filmmakers.
A committed field-builder and educator, Helfand co-founded Working Films, one of the nation’s first non-profits dedicated to engagement in 2009, and Chicken & Egg Pictures, a non-profit film fund dedicated to supporting women documentary directors with strategic grants and creative mentorship in 2005.