Kimberly Townes

Kimberly Townes' voice and style is a visual dance between art and science. She hails from central Virginia where she began her career as a graphic designer. After working throughout the northeast with various companies including Scripps Networks and Black Entertainment Television she decided to satiate her lust for filmmaking and study in the MFA Directing/Production program at the University of California - Los Angeles School of Theater, Film and Television. As a student filmmaker, Kimberly has received numerous accolades including the Bill and Melinda Gates Inspiring Action filmmaker grant for her short documentary, Planting Hope. Kimberly’s work has been featured on Time Warner Cable’s On Demand channel, various international film festivals, and screened in the 2011 Congressional Black Caucus’ Annual Legislative Conference film showcase which was hosted by political commentator, Tavis Smiley and senior research analyst, Dr. Ivory Toldson. Her UCLA Master thesis film, Zero, has received the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Filmmaker's grant, was nominated for the American Black Film Festival HBO Short Film Competition and aired on HBO in 2012. Her short HANDS TO THE SKY, about an African-American animator dealing with autism, aired on AspireTV. She has worked on the Essence docs-series, Black Girl Magic, which documents African American teen girls from across the country who have pushed beyond the limits of their environments to achieve their dreams. Kimberly has volunteered with the Pan African Technical Association as a grant writer and STEAM professional mentor recruiter since 2013. Kimberly also studied Production Design at the American Film Institute, holds a B.A. in Mass Media Arts from Hampton University and is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. Kimberly Townes was awarded a Production grant at UCLA in 2009 for Zero.