On March 8, we celebrated International Women’s Day by recognizing four female directors of current MPI Originals.

Elvira Ibragimova is the writer and director of We’re Doing Good, an award-winning MPI Original Series that premiered at the most recent South by Southwest Film Festival. You can watch the series here.

Dianne Houston is the writer and director of the forthcoming MPI Original feature film Freedom Hair that tells the true story of entrepreneur and mother Melony Armstrong, who had to overcome unexpected obstacles imposed by a powerful cosmetology cartel and the state of Mississippi in order to provide financial independence for herself and others.

Laura Waters Hinson, a longtime MPI filmmaker, is the director of the forthcoming MPI Original feature documentary Project Home that explores how the innovation of 3D printed houses could solve the global housing crisis.

And Kelley Kali is the director of the forthcoming MPI and BET Original feature film Kemba based on the true story of criminal justice reform advocate Kemba Smith. This emotional drama highlights the unintended consequences of the government’s “war on drugs.” It also emphasizes the importance of making healthy choices, demonstrates the power of a loving family, and showcases redemption in the face of insurmountable odds. 

MPI is honored to work with many talented female filmmakers who are blazing the trail for the next generation.