Crystal Kayiza, a highly acclaimed filmmaker, has left an indelible mark on the industry with her extraordinary body of work in short films. Her most recent and notable project, Rest Stop (2022),has garnered widespread recognition and accolades, including the prestigious Jury Prize for Best US Short Film at the esteemed 2023 Sundance Film Festival, further solidifying her reputation as a gifted and accomplished storyteller.
Crystal's cinematic endeavors have been met with widespread acclaim, with her film "See You Next Time" being an official selection of the 2020 Sundance Film Festival. This notable achievement was preceded by her earlier work "Edgecombe", which also gained recognition through its official selection at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival, and subsequent distribution by POV.
Crystal, a native Oklahoman, has made Brooklyn her home, where she remains committed to crafting content that sparks thought and introspection. Her extensive professional portfolio is adorned with numerous esteemed accolades and honors, including the esteemed distinction of being selected as one of Filmmaker Magazine's "25 New Faces of Independent Film". Furthermore, she has been fortunate enough to receive a variety of prestigious awards and fellowships, including the Jerome Hill Artist Fellowship, the HBO Documentary Development Initiative, the Creative Capital Award, the Sundance Ignite Fellowship, the Points North Institute North Star Fellowship, and the Creative Culture Woman Filmmaker Fellowship.
Crystal's illustrious career has been marked by a remarkable flair for crafting captivating narratives that effortlessly capture the imaginations of audiences worldwide, subsequently garnering widespread recognition and accolades from the esteemed film industry. Her unwavering dedication to her craft, coupled with an unrelenting commitment to producing content of the highest caliber, has firmly established her as a prominent and respected figure within the realm of independent filmmaking.
