Elle Martini is an Emmy-nominated writer and director. Her work explores themes of loss and transformation and how we must go deep into the underbelly of our struggle to find new life.

Her debut short narrative film, PERSON, PLACE OR THING, screened at Marfa, Ashland and Bend film festivals among others, winning awards for Best Actress at Hollyshorts and Best Short at Ace Film Festival in NYC and POWFest in Oregon. Described as “Dostoevsky meets Taxi Driver” and establishing “a down and dirty mood” by critics, the film also won the Women’s Vision post-production grant from Film Action Oregon.

Elle’s award-winning short documentary, CROSSING THE ABYSS: A JOURNEY FROM AUSCHWITZ TO OREGON, screened at festivals across the country and aired on Oregon Public Broadcasting in conjunction with a PBS series on Auschwitz. Recent work includes, PORTAL, an evocative, in-progress collection of short stories. I WAS HERE is Elle’s feature-length adaptation of her narrative short and is currently in development.

Elle has an MA in Film from the University of Oregon and an extensive background in commercial production for leading global brands.