Betsy Kalin

Betsy Kalin is an Assistant Professor in the Film and Mass Media Program at the Nicholson School of Communication and Media, University of Central Florida. She is an award-winning director/producer/writer and founder of Itchy Bee Productions, specializing in social impact documentaries addressing human rights, environmental justice, and urban planning.

Education:
B.A. in Women’s Studies from Columbia College (Columbia University), M.F.A. in Directing from the University of Miami.

Research Focus:
Her work centers on storytelling’s power to drive societal change. Key themes include immigrant narratives (e.g., Dreaming in Somali), urban development (East LA Interchange), and social equity. Films are used in academic curricula for teaching US history, urban planning, and Latina/o studies.

Awards:
- NEH/ITVS Humanities Fellowship
- Emmy nominations for Vision 2030 and Vision 2021
- Ten awards for East LA Interchange
- Festival honors for Roof, Chained!, and Hearts Cracked Open.

Grants & Engagement:
Focuses on outreach and educational distribution strategies. Previously taught Social Impact Documentary at Saybrook University and Emerson College Los Angeles.

Labs/Teams:
Leads Itchy Bee Productions, a production company dedicated to socially conscious storytelling.