Lynn Shelton collection, approximately 1989-2020

Lynn Shelton (August 27, 1965-May 16, 2020) was a Seattle-raised filmmaker, largely known for writing, directing, and producing independent films. Born in Oberlin, OH, Shelton attended Oberlin College before returning to the Pacific Northwest to attend the University of Washington School of Drama where she received her BA. She received her MFA in photography and related media at the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan.

In 2004, Shelton began writing and directing her first feature film, "We Go Way Back", which premiered at the Slamdance Film Festival in 2006 and received the Grand Jury Award for Best Narrative Feature. She won many awards for "Humpday" (2009), including the Revelations Prize at the Deauville Film Festival, Best Director at the Gijón International Film Festival, Special Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival and the John Cassavetes Award at the 2010 Film Independent Spirit Awards. She received other awards for her work in "Outside In" (Signis Award, Washington DC Filmfest, 2018), "My Effortless Brilliance" (Someone to Watch Award, Film Independent Spirit Awards, 2009), "Your Sister’s Sister" (Directors to Watch, Palm Spring International Film Festival, 2009), and "Laggies" (Local Audience Award, Tacoma Film Festival, 2014). Her works as a writer and director of independent films focused on relationships and family, often with complicated women at their centers, and were often set and shot in the Pacific Northwest.

Starting in 2009, Shelton also directed episodes for TV shows, including "Madmen", "Fresh Off the Boat", "Love", and "GLOW", and received two Primetime Emmy Award nominations for her work on the 2020 miniseries "Little Fires Everywhere".