Wendy Lobel is a director and Emmy Award-winning producer whose work explores the complexities of the human experience, crafting stories that connect and resonate. With three decades of experience, her projects have been featured on networks such as PBS, A&E, VH1, MSNBC, Nickelodeon and more.
Wendy produced over 25 episodes of the acclaimed children’s series NICK NEWS WITH LINDA ELLERBEE, including WORRIED SICK: LIVING WITH ANXIETY. Other projects include INSIDE TV LAND: PRIMETIME POLITICS and MSNBC INVESTIGATES: THE MATING GAME (doc specials), as well as the PBS documentary shorts WOMEN IN SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY and MOTHERS AND SONS, and the short film THE POWER OF POSITIVITY.
ANXIETY CLUB (2024 DOC NYC Film Festival) marks Wendy’s debut as a feature director. Drawing on her personal experiences with anxiety, she brought a heartfelt authenticity and profound understanding of its themes to this film.
Wendy is a member of the Producers Guild of America and the Television Academy. She also serves as Vice President of Angelight Films, a nonprofit that empowers children with brain tumors to create their own short films.
Please List the Title of Your Film at BIFF 2025
ANXIETY CLUB
What was your first experience with film and how did it influence your first project?
After graduating from SUNY Binghamton, I stuck around and got a job reporting for the NPR member radio station, WSKG. A year or so later, WSKG’s TV department offered 22-year-old me an opportunity to produce a one-hour documentary about a New York State high school mock trial tournament. My college minor had been “Communication,” and I knew I wanted to do something in that field. However, TV and film production classes were not as common as they are now, so I knew nothing about making a documentary. I learned everything on the job. THE PEOPLE VS. MEL KRAMER aired on Public TV in NYS and I was hooked on production. That experience set me on the path to a long and rewarding career as a TV producer in New York City, ultimately leading to the creation of my first feature film, ANXIETY CLUB.
Who are your favorite Filmmakers?
My favorite filmmaker is someone who is known more for television than film: journalist Linda Ellerbee. I was a producer at her production company, Lucky Duck, for many years. Whenever she reviewed a rough cut, I was always amazed at her ability to instantly identify what wasn’t working and how to make it better. She is also the best writer I’ve ever known, capable of crafting brilliant voiceover copy or a company email in no time. I have mad respect for her and her work.
What are you working on that no one knows about?
Truth is, I’m completely immersed in ANXIETY CLUB and, since it’s not just a movie, it’s a movement (or so we hope), it’s gonna keep me busy for awhile. Other than that, I’m noodling around with some ideas, but nothing is in stone right now. Stay tuned.
Who would play you in a movie? What’s your go to movie snack? What’s the film title that best describes your life?
A) In the ’80s, people sometimes told me I looked like Debra Winger in AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN. In the ’90s, I got Elaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) from SEINFELD. Basically, we were all curly-haired brunettes. If I were to go gray, I’d like to think Andie MacDowell would play me in a movie now—even though we look nothing alike.
B) I’m addicted to Bjorn Quorn popcorn with nutritional yeast. You read that right, popcorn with nutritional yeast. OBSESSED. It’s my go to snack for movies at home. In the theater? Unbuttered popcorn or Raisinets.
C) WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN (even though, truthfully, I’m not!)
