Jacqueline Christy is a writer, director, and founder of three businesses including Access Manufacturing, Access Theater and Christy Consulting. She received her MFA from the NYU Graduate Film Program at Tisch and received grants from the NYC Women’s Fund, the NY State Council on the Arts, the Hollywood Foreign Press grant, and the Sloan Foundation. Through Access Theater’s 33-year history, she has produced hundreds of plays, including The Killing Act starring Peter Dinklage, written and directed by Tom McCarthy; Aasif Mandvi’s Sakina’s Restaurant; Stephen Belber’s Tape; and Bedlam’s acclaimed production of Saint Joan. She was Assistant Director of the feature films Radium Girls and Equity and the short film Jungle, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. She was Assistant Director and Associate Producer of the short film Fry Day, which premiered at SXSW. Her directorial film work includes short films Rehearsal (Austin Film Festival), Other People (St Louis International Film Festival), and The Dependents (LA Shorts International Film Festival). Christy was recently selected by SHOOT magazine for their New Directors Showcase. Magic Hour, starring Miriam Shor, Sendhil Ramamurthy, and Austin Pendleton, is her first feature film.
Please List the Title of Your Film at BIFF 2025
Magic Hour
What was your first experience with film and how did it influence your first project?
In 2011, I was deciding whether to go back to school for film. To test out my wacky idea, I attended a wonderful program: “Four Week Film School” at Maine Media Workshops. It was a fantastic program and I was hooked! I loved finding locations, working with actors, editing – all of it. I was and still remain mystified by many of the more technical aspects of filmmaking but I learn more each time I do it. The combination of aesthetics and logistics really appealed to me. At one moment as a director, you’re trying to coax a delicate performance out of an actor or figure out the unique aesthetic of the film with your production designer. A few seconds later, you’re contending with a lost location, rain, lunch – really basic, essential things! The feeling of walking onto a set with a bunch of talented collaborators to try to create something that the world has never seen before – that is truly exhilarating! And it never works out as planned which is also exciting and keeps you on your toes! As a result of this first brush with filmmaking, I decided to go to film school and I was lucky enough to get into the NYU Grad Film program, which I loved! My first project at the end of my first semester in film school was a short documentary, Rehearsal. It did not turn out as planned – but it ended up being better than what I had originally devised. What I learned the very first time I tried working on film is to be super prepared but then when you’re on set be open to what is right in front of you and let the film unfold. Some of what you see in Magic Hour is inspired by true film and film school experiences!
Who are your favorite Filmmakers?
I’m a fan of Billy Wilder. His movies are shamelessly hilarious and at the same time full of heart, soul and social relevance. They address serious issues but in a sneaky way so you don’t catch him trying to send a message. You feel entertained the whole way but it builds to something meaningful, powerful and emotional. I love “The Apartment” because (spoilers ahead!!) it’s a very funny movie, but it’s also got a lot of powerful social commentary. The love triangle is terrific, the satire of the corporate world is hilarious. But the main thing it all hangs on is that the everyman character played by Jack Lemmon has a nice big character evolution. Initially, he is so desperate to climb the corporate ladder that he’s a “schuck.” But by the end of the movie, he gives up on all that – without any other career or plan – and in the process of rejecting what society expects from him, he becomes “a mensch.” Wilder fires on all cylinders – humor, emotion, drama, ethics, social commentary – and he balances all of these elements in an effortless way. I can watch his movies again and again because I love them but also because I’m hoping to figure out how he pulled it off!
What are you working on that no one knows about?
No one knows about my limited series based – very very loosely – on a loft theater space that I started in NYC in the 90s. I think folks are nostalgic for that time in NYC when things were gritty but it also felt like anything was possible. In a tiny theater like that – everything goes terribly wrong all the time – which makes for good comedy and drama. And every week or so, there’s a new show and that brings in all kinds of new characters and issues. So I think folks might get a kick out of it. We shall see!
Who would play you in a movie? What’s your go to movie snack? What’s the film title that best describes your life?
I think Miriam Shor does an excellent job of playing me in Magic Hour! Kidding – she did not literally play me but she masterfully plays a character that is a condensed version of all my most neurotic qualities!
Popcorn.
Living in Oblivion
