Biography
Cornelia has enjoyed a long and successful career in the arts across multiple disciplines. However, it was her connection with Madeleine L'Engle that transitioned the former playwright and stage director into filmmaking. L'Engle, renowned author of works like A Wrinkle in Time and the Austin Family series, was Cornelia's godmother and mentor, inviting her to adapt several of her novels and plays for the screen.
Encouraged by Madeleine, Cornelia adapted two of her novels: Camilla Dickinson and Love Letters of a Portuguese Nun. The latter became a finalist in the First Glance Screenplay Competition, a semi-finalist at Slamdance, and earned numerous other honors.
In 2019, Cornelia and the Kairos team were producing two short films and a feature, with filming planned for that year if all went smoothly.
In 2018, Cornelia directed Language Arts, featuring Ashley Zukerman, Sarah Shahi, Pamela Reed, Erin Cummings, Mariana Klaveno, Kevin Alejandro, Jane Ryan, Elliott Smith, Lincoln Lambert, and many others.
In 2017, she directed Alt, starring Elise Eberle, Sloane Morgan Siegel, Carol Roscoe, Brian S. Lewis, Matt Shimkus, Denny McAuliffe, and Shaunyce Omar. This lighthearted science fiction feature entered post-production and was set to begin its film festival circuit soon thereafter.
In 2015, Cornelia directed West of Redemption, starring Billy Zane, Kevin Alejandro, and Mariana Klaveno. This intense, award-winning thriller received Best Feature at the Jefferson State FlixxFest, Best Dramatic Direction at Eugene Film Festival, and the Staff Pick Award at Manchester Film Festival, among other accolades. It continues to screen at various film festivals.
In 2012, she directed Camilla Dickinson, with a cast including Adelaide Clemens, Cary Elwes, Samantha Mathis, and Gregg Sulkin. The film achieved critical acclaim, winning Best Narrative Feature and Best Director at the Women's Independent Film Festival, as well as Best Narrative Feature at the Eugene International Film Festival. It is available on Amazon, YouTube, and iTunes.
In 2006, Cornelia wrote and directed The Dark Horse, which premiered at the Seattle International Film Festival and won Best Feature Drama at the International Family Film Festival, among other awards. It is available on Amazon.
Cornelia co-founded the Seattle Shakespeare Company, where she directed and served as casting director for seven years. A classically trained actor and director, she spent twenty years directing stage plays before transitioning to film. Her passion for filmmaking extends to production, having served as Executive Producer for the cult favorite JourneyQuest Season 1, producer for JourneyQuest Season 2, and casting director for The Gamers: Dorkness Rising, among numerous other projects. Cornelia is currently writing and developing several projects for Kairos.
