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Kelley Kali is a native of Los Angeles, CA. She has a bachelor's degree in anthropology, with a focus in archaeology, and a minor in film and classical civilization from Howard University in Washington, D.C. In addition to her studies, Kelley was an NCAA Division 1 lacrosse team captain and scholar.
While at Howard University, Kelley was selected to conduct research of an ancient Mayan site for two months in the Central American rainforest. She jumped at the chance to live in a tent for months with no running water amongst the spider monkeys, tarantulas, bullet ants and more. However, while excavating in the jungle she found herself spending most of her time daydreaming about filming her experiences, thus she decided to make a change and pursue cinema. Afterward, Kelley received the opportunity to work at National Geographic Television and Film, where she gained TV experience that led her to become the only woman selected to direct the first creole dramatic TV series in the country of Belize, "Noh Matta Wat". She later won the Paul Robeson Award for her work.
She then joined the team of a PBS film, "Prince Among Slaves", under actor/director Bill Duke as the behind the scenes documentary filmmaker which resulted in an opportunity at Entertainment Tonight back in her hometown of Los Angeles. After some time at ET, she decided to break out on her own and focus on media for social change with her attention on child trafficking issues in Haiti. From her work in Haiti, Kelley was awarded a scholarship to the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts MFA in the TV and Film Production Program.
Immediately after enrolling at USC, Kelley was nominated and elected president of the School of Cinematic Arts Graduate Council for 3 consecutive years. Kelley's has won numerous scholarships for her writing and directing such as the Jack Oakie Comedy Fellow, the Johnny Carson Scholarship, and the prestigious Annenberg Fellowship. Kelley was also one of four filmmakers awarded funding by Ron Howard and Brian Grazer's New Form Digital for her fantasy web series pilot, "The Discovery of Dit Dodson", which premiered in at the Oscar-qualifying Atlanta Film Festival and was an official selection of the American Black Film Festival among many others.
Since graduating with her Master's Degree from the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts, she has co-directed a James Franco produced feature film, "The Adventures of Thomasina Sawyer" and has directed, produced and co-written a short film, "Lalo's House", inspired by true events of child trafficking in Haiti. "Lalo's House" is executive produced by Garcelle Beauvais and Lisa L. Wilson and was filmed on location in Haiti and Los Angeles. Kelley has produced and directed award-winning films in Belize, Haiti, China, and locally in the USA. She was fortunate to have her film, "Lalo's House", win the Programmers' Award at the Oscar-qualifying Pan African Film Festival, Best Short Film prizes at the Bahamas International Film Festival, CineOdyssey Film Festival, the Haiti International Film Festival, the Black Harvest Film Festival, and Best Director at the African World Film Festival. In addition, "Lalo's House" was an official selection of the Telluride Film Festival, the American Black Film Festival in the Emerging Directors category, Journées Cinématographique de Carthage (winning the Silver Tanit Award), and many more. Kelley has also won the 24th DGA Student Film Award and a Student Academy Award at the 45th Student Academy Awards.
Kelley's goal is to be known as a director and content creator who addresses issues within often marginalized communities by using the art of filmmaking to create dialogue and action towards positive change.
