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Nadia Hallgren is an American filmmaker, director, and cinematographer renowned for her documentary work. She rose to prominence by directing and producing the 2020 documentary, Becoming, which captures the former First Lady Michelle Obama's book tour and offers an intimate glimpse into her life.

Hallgren was born and raised in the Bronx, New York. At a young age, she became interested in photography, storytelling and visual arts. Hallgren attended the International Center of Photography, where she received mentorship from filmmaker Kirsten Johnson. After her time at the International Center of Photography, she attended Hunter College, where she studied filmmaking and cinematography.

Before gaining industry recognition as a director, Hallgren worked as a cinematographer on several notable projects, including Black and Missing, She's the Ticket, and Civil: Ben Crump. Her work as Director of Photography includes the Academy Award nominated Trouble the Water, the Sundance Grand Jury Prize-Wining Trapped, Motherland, War Don Don, and Girl Rising by CNN.

Hallgren shot and directed the documentary Becoming. The film was released on Netflix and it was nominated for four Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Cinematography For A Nonfiction Program, Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special, Outstanding Directing For A Nonfiction/Documentary Program, and Outstanding Music Composition For A Documentary Series or Special (Original Dramatic Score). She was the first person to earn nominations for Cinematography and Directing on the same project. Her work on this documentary received such praise because of how she was able to capture the authenticity and vulnerability of Michelle Obama throughout her book tour, and that allowed every audience to connect with her and her work.

While Hallgren is most recognized for her work on Becoming, she has also played a key role in several other acclaimed feature documentaries, such as Fahrenheit 9/11, Searching for Sugarman, Hamilton's America, The Hunting Ground, After Maria, and Suited.

Hallgren is also a member of the board of the Bronx Documentary Center, which is a nonprofit organization that strives to bring film and photography to underprivileged neighborhoods in the Bronx.

• Sabbath Queen (2024)
• Civil: Ben Crump (2022)
• Black and Missing (2021)
• Crossings (2021)
• Becoming (2020)
• After Maria (2019)
• She's The Ticket (2017)
• Motherland (2017)
• Trapped (2016)
• Suited (2016)
• Hamilton's America (2016)
• The Hunting Ground (2015)
• Girl Rising (2013)
• Searching for Sugarman (2012)
• War Don Don (2010)
• Trouble the Water (2008)
• Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004)

• “#givingtuesday ICP Alumni Spotlight: Nadia Hallgren.” International Center of Photography, International Center of Photography, 23 Feb. 2016, www.icp.org/perspective/givingtuesday-icp-alumni-spotlight-nadia-hallgren.  

• Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. “‘civil’ Director Nadia Hallgren Reflects on Her Year with ‘Black America’s Attorney General’ (Exclusive).” Academy Newsletter, Oscars, 16 June 2022, aframe.oscars.org/news/post/civil-ben-crump-juneteenth-nadia-hellgren-interview.  

• “Becoming.” Television Academy, www.televisionacademy.com/shows/becoming . Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.

• “Chelsea.” CHELSEA, Special Offer Inc., www.chelsea.com/roster/nadia-hallgren. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.

• “Nadia Hallgren.” Maine Media Workshops + College, 18 Dec. 2018, www.mainemedia.edu/faculty/list/nadia-hallgren/.  

• “Nadia Hallgren: Filmmakers: Firelight Media.” Welcome to Firelight Media, www.firelightmedia.tv/filmmakers/nadia-hallgren . Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.

• “Nadia on Instagram: .” Instagram, Instagram, 26 Oct. 2022, www.instagram.com/nadiahallgren/p/CkMEv5dPHc7/?img_index=1.  

• Nash, Suzi. “Nadia Hallgren: On Mentors, Movies and Michelle Obama.” Philadelphia Gay News, 26 May 2023, epgn.com/2017/02/16/nadia-hallgren-on-mentors-movies-and-michelle-obama/.