Odessa Rae

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Odessa Rae
Odessa-Rae.jpg
Rae in February 2023
Born
Calgary, Canada
Alma mater University of Toronto
Occupation(s)Film producer, actor

Odessa Rae is a Canadian producer and actor. Most known for producing the documentary Navalny (2022), directed by Daniel Roher, which won the Best Documentary Feature at the 95th Academy Awards and Best Documentary at the 76th British Academy Film Awards.

Contents

She was key in the formation of Ivanhoe Pictures, which produced Crazy Rich Asians . Her 2025 produced film, The Voice of Hind Rajab, directed by Kaouther Ben Hania, premiered in the main competition of the 82nd Venice International Film Festival.

Early life

Rae's early life was spent between North America, Asia and India. She studied International Relations at University of Toronto, [1] is fluent in Japanese and conversationally fluent in several other languages.

Career

She began her film career in Japan. Widely known through appearances in commercials with Brad Pitt, [2] From there she went on to co-write, produce and star in her first feature film, Jenifa. [3] . As an actor, Rae has appeared in numerous feature films and television series, including Hard Candy , Smallville , and Movie 43

She was key in the formation of Ivanhoe Pictures, which produced the box office hit, Crazy Rich Asians . [4] In January 2017, Rae signed a first-look development deal with the company. [5]

In 2021, Rae launched RaeFilm Studios, focusing on the development and production of non-fiction content. [6]

In 2022, she produced Navalny (2022), directed by Daniel Roher, which won the Best Documentary Feature at the 95th Academy Awards and Best Documentary at the 76th British Academy Film Awards. [7] [8]

In 2023, she served as a producer on Hollywoodgate directed by Ibrahim Nash'at, which had its world premiere at the 80th Venice International Film Festival. [9] That same year, she also produced Defiant by Karim Amer, which had its world premiere at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival. [10] [11] In 2024, she produced It Doesn't Matter by Josh Mond, which screened at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival in the ACID section. [12] In 2025, Rae produced The Voice of Hind Rajab by Kaouther Ben Hania, which entered the main competition at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival. [13] [14]

Odessa has received multiple honors including the Producers Guild of America Award, DuPont Columbia, Greirson Award, Cinema Eye, Critics Choice Awards In addition the Audience Award in the US Documentary competition and the Festival Favorite Award at Sundance Film Festival. She is the recipient of the 2023 UN Sustainable Goals Impact Through Film Award. [15]

Filmography

Producer

YearTitleDirectorNotes
2022 Navalny Daniel Roher
The Story Won't DieDavid Henry Gerson
2023 Hollywoodgate Ibrahim Nash’at
Defiant Karim Amer
2024 It Doesn't Matter Josh Mond
2025 The Voice of Hind Rajab Kaouther Ben Hania

Executive producer

YearTitleDirectorNotes
2016Of Dust and Bones Diane Bell
2025Palace of YouthMaddie Gwinn

Actor

YearTitleRoleNotes
2024 Chosen Family Frances
2018 Half Magic Roxy
2017 Hangman TV Reporter
2015Always WorthyTV Reporter
2014AsthmaBathing Wings
2013 Movie 43 Danita
2012The VisitDiana Short
Gabe the Cupid DogCarissa
Rizzoli & Isles Yoga InstructorTV series
2011Man Without a HeadVenula
My Dog's Christmas MiracleCrystal
2010 Rules of Engagement GretchenTV series
Smallville Maggie McDougal/Silver BansheeTV series
LeverageCora McRoryTV series
Let the Game BeginPatient PatientTV series

References

  1. ↑ "Odessa Rae". ListenNotes.com. September 26, 2023. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
  2. ↑ Minisini, Lucas (March 25, 2024). "From 'Navalny' to 'Hollywoodgate,' producer Odessa Rae is at the center of global geopolitics". Le Monde . Retrieved April 29, 2024.
  3. ↑ "Jenifa". Mubi . Retrieved April 29, 2024.
  4. ↑ "The little-known film company that made 'Crazy Rich Asians' possible". Washington Post. Retrieved 2023-03-12.
  5. ↑ Lodderhose, Diana (January 13, 2017). "Ivanhoe Pictures Inks Development Deal With Odessa Rae". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved April 29, 2024.
  6. ↑ Hunt, Stephen (March 12, 2023). "'Their eyes were burning': Former Calgarian producer Odessa Rae heads for Oscars Sunday for Navalny". CTV News . Retrieved April 29, 2024.
  7. ↑ "'Their eyes were burning': Former Calgarian producer Odessa Rae heads for Oscars Sunday for Navalny". Calgary. 2023-03-12. Retrieved 2023-03-17.
  8. ↑ "Calgary producer, animators and dancer among those who represented the city at the 2023 Oscars". Calgary. 2023-03-13. Retrieved 2023-03-17.
  9. ↑ Vourlias, Christopher (August 31, 2023). "Venice Documentary 'Hollywoodgate' Offers Gripping Portrait of Taliban Rule After Humiliating U.S. Retreat From Afghanistan: 'What Was the War For?'". Variety . Retrieved August 3, 2025.
  10. ↑ Mullen, Pat (August 9, 2023). "Thom Powers on the Buzz and Biz of TIFF Docs". POV Magazine. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
  11. ↑ "Opinion: Putin's nemesis has a spirit that can outlast any strongman". 2023-03-03. Retrieved 2023-03-12.
  12. ↑ Bergeson, Samantha (16 April 2024). "'It Doesn't Matter' First Look: Christopher Abbott Floats Through Surreal Meta Dramedy". Indie Wire. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  13. ↑ Ritman, Alex; Vivarelli, Nick (14 May 2025). "Killing of Palestinian Girl Hind Rajab Being Made Into Film by Kaouther Ben Hania, Nadim Cheikhrouha, 'Zone of Interest' Producer James Wilson, 'Navalny' Producer Odessa Rae and Film4 (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety . Retrieved 3 August 2025.
  14. ↑ Aboul Kheir, Nada (July 22, 2025). "Kaouther Ben Hania On The Moving Story Behind Her Venice Competition Film 'The Voice Of Hind Rajab'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 3, 2025.
  15. ↑ "Odessa Rae". Milken Institute . Retrieved August 3, 2025.
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