Chelsea has signed award-winning director/cinematographer Nadia Hallgren for her first ever branded representation. Hallgren’s first feature as a director is the hit Netflix documentary Becoming, following former First Lady Michelle Obama on her 34-city book tour for her bestselling memoir. The documentary, produced by Barack and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground Productions, premiered on Netflix in May.
Prior to Becoming, Hallgren directed After Maria, a 2019 Academy Award shortlisted documentary short film telling the story of three families displaced by Hurricane Maria. After Maria was also nominated for Best Documentary Short at the Tribeca Film Festival.
Chelsea president Lisa Mehling said, “Nadia is a formidable talent and we are honored to have her join the Chelsea team. As cinematographer of some of my favorite films (Trouble the Water, RBG, The Hunting Ground) Nadia has seamlessly transitioned to directing with After Maria, landing her on the Oscar Shortlist and now with the outstanding documentary Becoming–where Nadia became a fly on the wall of the world’s most famous woman, resulting in an intimate, human and deeply touching vérité film. We clicked immediately over our mutual friends in the business, her hunger to tell stories and her regard for the impact that is possible with a brand platform.”
Additionally, at SXSW 2018 Hallgren won the Special Jury Prize for an Independent Episodic called She’s The Ticket. The series followed women running for office in response to Trump’s 2016 election.
Hallgren also received a Webby for Public Service and Activism in 2018 for her film Gavin Grimm vs., about a transgender teen from Virginia’s journey to the Supreme Court after being banned from using the boy’s bathroom in his high school.
Hallgren, who’s enthused over joining the slate of directors at Chelsea, said, “My goal is always to collaborate with others who have shared values, aspire to innovate and work at the highest level of the craft. The brand space for me is an opportunity to challenge convention and contribute to the culture in a new way. Chelsea is doing this work and I’m excited to bring my style of storytelling to the company.”
With a focus on the craft of vérité storytelling, Hallgren is considered one of the leading cinematographers in documentary filmmaking. Her credits include the Sundance award-winner Motherland (2017), Academy Award-nominated and Sundance Grand Jury Prize-winner Trouble the Water (2008), and Sundance award-winner Trapped (2016).
Hallgren is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and an alum of International Center of Photography.
Hallgren joins a Chelsea directorial roster which includes Amir Bar-Lev, Anna & Ewan, Angie Bird, Fiona Jane Burgess, Jack Cole, Glenn F. Clements, Nisha Ganatra, Alex Gibney, David Gordon Green, Adi Halfin, Bruce Hunt, Gregory Jacobs, Nadav Kander, Johan Kramer, Stacy Peralta, Alan Poul and Caroline Suh.
Chelsea maintains offices in New York and Los Angeles, owned and managed by Mehling. Pat McGoldrick serves as VP/executive producer and representation includes RHODA on the East Coast, and Get Reehl Get Davis in the Midwest and on the West Coast.
