Brett Gelman Wife: Meet Janicza Bravo

In December 2015, the entertainment industry witnessed the union of two creative forces—Brett Gelman and Janicza Bravo. Their journey, marked by artistic collaboration and shared passions, began in New York City while working on a New York Lotto commercial. However, despite the promising start, the couple’s marriage came to an end, and they officially divorced in 2018.

Janicza Michelle Bravo Ford, an accomplished American film director, producer, and screenwriter, stands as Gelman’s former spouse. Her noteworthy contributions to the film industry include directorial works like Gregory Go Boom, a short film that secured the short-film jury award at the Sundance Film Festival, and Lemon, a feature film co-written with Brett Gelman himself.

Janicza Bravo’s Journey in Film: From Shorts to Feature Films

Janicza Bravo’s foray into the world of film began with a series of short films, each showcasing her unique storytelling style. The 2011 SXSW Film Festival featured her debut film, Eat, starring Katherine Waterston and Brett Gelman. This marked the beginning of Bravo’s exploration into the intricacies of human relationships, portrayed through an encounter between a woman locked out of her apartment and her peculiar neighbor.

Her second short film, Gregory Go Boom (2013), garnered significant acclaim, winning the short-film jury award at Sundance. Starring Michael Cera as a paraplegic near the Salton Sea, the film demonstrated Bravo’s ability to blend dark comedy with poignant narratives.

Continuing her success, Bravo’s 2014 short film Pauline Alone featured Gaby Hoffmann as a Craigslist-obsessed woman. This creative venture earned her recognition as one of Filmmaker Magazine’s “25 New Faces of Independent Film.”

In 2016, Bravo delved into the world of virtual reality with Hard World for Small Things, a live-action VR film depicting a day in the life of South Central. Inspired by a tragic incident in her family, the film explored themes of race and politics, marking a departure from her previous works.

Bravo’s directorial debut in feature films came in 2016 with Lemon, a collaborative effort with Brett Gelman. The film, featuring a star-studded cast, premiered at Sundance in 2017, securing distribution by Killer Films and Burn Later Productions.

Beyond her independent projects, Bravo showcased her directorial skills in notable television shows. She directed an episode of the FX series Atlanta, created by and starring Donald Glover, and a Netflix series Love, created by and starring Paul Rust.

Zola and Beyond: Bravo’s Recent Endeavors

In 2022, Janicza Bravo, recognized for her creative prowess, was one of nine directors commissioned to design rooms at the Metropolitan Museum of Art for the exhibition In America: An Anthology of Fashion. This opportunity highlighted Bravo’s versatility in extending her artistic vision beyond the realm of film.

Bravo’s latest film, Zola, co-written with playwright Jeremy O. Harris, is based on a captivating 148-tweet thread by Aziah “Zola” Wells. Premiering at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival, Zola received acclaim and a nomination for the Grand Jury Award.