Dee Rees: Why she kicks ass

• She is an American screenwriter and director. Rees has written and directed several short films, including Orange Bow (centering on a teenage boy) and Pariah. 
• Pariah completed in 2007, screened at over 40 festivals worldwide (including Sundance), was a finalist for the 2009 Sundance/NHK International Award and garnered 25 Best Short awards.  During the making of this, she sold her own apartment when she realized she had to invest in her film for others to also.
• Rees is also member of the Human Rights Campaign, was named Breakthrough Director at the 21st Annual Gotham Independent Film Awards, and is pegged to direct the indie love story “This Man, This Woman.”