David Midell

Independent Spirit Award nominated filmmaker David Midell began his career drawing inspiration from working as a therapist for children and adults with disabilities in Chicago. As a filmmaker on the autism spectrum himself, his work asks important questions about how society treats its most vulnerable citizens, including those with disabilities and mental health challenges. David's debut feature, NightLights, followed a sister and brother with autism as they experience heartbreaks and triumphs on their life's journey. The film was released in theaters in 2014, made its network television premiere on the Lifetime Movie Network in 2015, and won numerous awards, including a Prism Award from the Entertainment Industries Council. His upcoming film, The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain, tells the true story of the events that led to the death of an elderly African American former marine with bipolar disorder, who was killed during a conflict with police officers in his home. The film stars Tony Award nominee Frankie Faison, Tony Award winner Anika Noni Rose, and is executive produced by Lori McCreary, Gary Lucchesi, and Academy Award winner Morgan Freeman of Revelations Entertainment. Awaiting release in 2021, the film garnered nearly a dozen awards at international film festivals, and scored David an Independent Spirit Award nomination in the Someone To Watch category.