Josephine Decker

Josephine Decker, born April 2, 1981, is an English-born American filmmaker renowned for her audacious and unique approach to filmmaking. She is known for directing films such as 'Butter on the Latch' (2013), 'Thou Wast Mild and Lovely' (2014), 'Madeline's Madeline' (2018), 'Shirley' (2020), and 'The Sky is Everywhere' (2022). Decker's debut was marked by her short film, 'Naked Princeton,' in 2005. Notably, she co-directed the documentary 'Bi the Way' (2008) with Brittany Blockman, tackling bisexuality in the United States. Despite initial mixed reviews, the documentary won the Alternative Spirit Grand Prize at the Rhode Island International Film Festival, cementing Decker's place in the industry. She also has a background working as a performance artist. Developing further as a filmmaker, Decker directed and wrote 'Where Are You Going, Elena?' (2009) and 'Me the Terrible' (2012), the latter of which was praised by The New Yorker. Alongside her filmmaking career, Decker has maintained her performance artistry. This was evident at Marina Abramović's MoMA retrospective, 'The Artist Is Present', where she disrobed, aiming to reciprocate Abramović's vulnerability. Decker's first feature film, 'Butter on the Latch,' was lauded for its innovative storytelling, earning her place in Filmmaker Magazine's 2013 list of 25 New Faces in Independent Film. Key films such as 'Thou Wast Mild and Lovely', 'Madeline's Madeline', and 'The Sky is Everywhere' established her unique and daring voice in film. Decker also worked as an actor, featuring in numerous independent films. She notably served on the jury of the 33rd Torino Film Festival after her work was highlighted in the 2014 Onde section of the festival. Decker’s personal influences include 'Antichrist', 'Days of Heaven', 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind', 'Silent Light', the novel 'East of Eden', director Joe Swanberg, and frequent collaborator Sarah Small.