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Michelle Ehlen is an independent filmmaker and actor renowned for creating the pioneering lesbian comedy trilogy: Butch Jamie, Heterosexual Jill, and S&M Sally. Embracing both queer and DIY filmmaking cultures, her work often humorously explores themes of gender, sexuality, stereotypes, and identity. Her films have been showcased at over 100 festivals worldwide, earned 20 awards, and been acquired by platforms such as Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, HereTV, and more.
Hailing from San Juan Capistrano, CA, Michelle began performing on stage at age eight. At seventeen, she studied acting at Powerhouse Theater at Vassar and later attended Smith College on the East Coast, where she majored in Sociology and Film. After graduating, she relocated to Los Angeles to work as an editor and attend the L.A. Film School. Her thesis short, Half-Laughing, was broadcast nationally on LOGO and included in Wolfe Video’s DVD compilation, "The Ultimate Lesbian Short Film Festival."
Soon after, Michelle founded her production company, Ballet Diesel Films, a name reflecting the comedic fusion of masculine and feminine elements—a theme central to much of her work. Her debut feature, Butch Jamie, is a gender-bending comedy about a butch lesbian actor cast as a man. The film earned her the Best Actress award at Outfest Film Festival, among others. She followed up with two more films featuring the same characters: Heterosexual Jill and S&M Sally. She describes Butch Jamie as a satire on gender, Heterosexual Jill on sexuality, and S&M Sally on relationships. These films enjoyed extended festival runs, with Michelle invited to speak at events including screenings in Taipei, Seoul, Tel Aviv, and the Yukon.
Currently, Michelle is developing a character-driven dramedy titled Maybe Someday. She also freelances as an editor, director, and producer on diverse projects such as music videos, documentaries, and independent features.
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