Rae Shaw

Rae Shaw is a producer, director, writer and poet. A graduate of the University of Chicago's English Literature and Language Department and University of Miami's Motion Picture Program, Rae's filmmaking career launched with the debut of the award winning short, Soap and Roses, which she produced, wrote and directed. Soap tells the controversial story of a rapist and the community he affects. Rae is passionate about telling stories that reveal hidden truths or new perspectives.

After leaving film school, Rae began working her way up in the industry at The Firm, One Race Films, and Lions Gate, developing expertise and forging contacts within management, production and business affairs. Working for industry veterans who headed up TV and feature film projects, Rae broadened her skills to become a strong and business minded producer.

Simultaneously Rae studied directing under noted author and instructor Judith Weston. She directed a stage production with Write Act Repertory in Hollywood in 2008. In 2012 Rae's feature film script entered the finalist option round for Juntobox Films. That same year Rae's poetry and company were featured on the Kodak storyboard page in an article called Poetry in Motion and her feature project The Repass was highlighted on Indiewire's Shadow & Act. Now The Repass has been recognized as 2014 Academy Nicholl Competition Quarterfinalist.


During her career Rae has received numerous awards including the Guy Hanks and Marvin Miller Screenwriting Fellowship, Delaware Division of the Arts Emerging Artists Fellowship, Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship and Woodrow Wilson National Foundation Fellowship. Rae is a member of the Echo Park Film Center, University of Chicago Alumni Association, Organization of Black Screenwriters, ACLU, and Reel Ladies. She splits her time between New York City and Los Angeles.