Isidore Bethel

Isidore Bethel is a talented editor, director, and producer recognized as one of Filmmaker's "25 New Faces of Independent Film" in 2020. His cinematic endeavors delve into complex emotional landscapes, exploring themes such as displacement, grief, therapy, aging, trauma, and sexuality. Bethel's directorial debut, the feature film *Liam*, made waves at the Boston LGBT Film Festival in 2018, where it was awarded the Jury Prize in the Documentary category at the Paris LGBTQ+ Film Festival. Following this success, his second film, *Acts of Love*, co-directed alongside French actor Francis Leplay, premiered at Hot Docs in 2021, further solidifying his reputation in the documentary realm.

Beyond his directorial achievements, Bethel has an impressive portfolio as an editor and producer, with films showcased at prestigious festivals, including Cannes (both Official and ACID sections), IDFA, Visions du Réel, Cinéma du Réel, True/False, and MoMA's Documentary Fortnight. His work extends across borders, with collaborations in the United States, Mexico, France, Lebanon, the United Kingdom, Ethiopia, and Turkey. Critics have praised his filmmaking style, describing it as embodying "admirable restraint," "Wiseman-esque," "tender," and "elegant," reflecting his unique approach to storytelling.