Director Biography – Michelle Künzler

Michelle Künzler is a Swiss-Turkish writer, director, production designer, and aspiring editor based in Los Angeles. Originally from a small village near Zurich, she holds a Master’s degree in Filmmaking from New York Film Academy (Los Angeles campus). Michelle has worked on a wide range of projects, from online commercials to award-winning short films, collaborating with established production companies such as Ragland Reign. Her sci-fi thriller short ‘Sequoia’ recently won the Audience Award at the 16th Watersprite Film Festival 2025 in Cambridge, UK—the world’s largest student film festival.

Known for her attention to detail and commitment to authenticity, Michelle strives for accurate and inclusive representation. With a strong feminist perspective, she is passionate about deconstructing outdated gender stereotypes and championing diversity and positive change through visual storytelling. Specializing in drama, sci-fi, and thriller, her films delve into the complexities of the female experience through a thought-provoking lens.

Michelle’s favorite LA experience since relocating to the US in 2022 has been attending the 82nd Golden Globe Awards and the 30th Critics’ Choice Awards in 2025 as a seat filler, sharing a table with Miley Cyrus and Richard Gadd (“Baby Reindeer”).