Summary
A Thousand and OnedirectorA.V. Rockwellhas stepped into the spotlight with her 2023 drama, but there’s more to the filmmaker than just one movie.Female directors rarely get the acclaimthey deserve, and the same can be said for Black directors. As a Black woman director, it was never going to be a straightforward path for Rockwell, who has still managed an acclaimed and impressive career in a traditionally white and male-dominated industry. With her first feature filmA Thousand and Onebeing a hit,it feels like she can do whatever she wants next.
Born in Queens, New York to immigrant Jamaican parents (viaNew York Times), Rockwell attended Brooklyn Technical High School in her youth (viaVogue). She later went on to attend film school at the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University, graduating in 2012 (viaTisch). Rockwell first became interested in filmmaking after studying in Paris and learning about the industry there (viaLA Times). A few years ago, Rockwell was only making shorts, butthe Black director’s debut movieis surely the first step towards a career in feature-length filmmaking.
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A Thousand And One Is A.V. Rockwell’s Feature Film Debut
Rockwell Has Also Directed Several Short Films
A.V. Rockwell burst onto the scene with her 2023 feature filmA Thousand and One, a drama about a single mother, Inez de la Paz (Teyana Taylor), who kidnaps her own son, Terry, in order to keep him out of a broken foster care system. WhileA Thousand and Oneis not based on a true story, the ideas and sentiments behind a mother doing what she can to save her son from a mismanaged bureaucracy are all too relatable. The film has a 97% onRotten Tomatoesand has garnered numerous nominations and accolades from smaller organizations.
Though this is Rockwell’s feature-length debut, she’s had plenty of experience directing short films.Rockwell has directed 12 short films in her career, of varying lengths, styles, and quality. Her later short films, including the celebratedFeathers, and the less renowned, but no less impressiveThe Gospel, earned Rockwell a lot of credibility in independent film circles. Many of Rockwell’s movies deal with the trials and difficulties of growing up Black in America, specifically in her native New York City, focusing on the changes the city itself has faced.
The Gospelwas produced with Alicia Keyes as a music-focused short film for Keyes' sixth studio album,Here(2016).
A.V. Rockwell Was Named One Of Filmmaker Magazine’s 25 New Faces of Independent Film In 2019
Filmmaker Magazine Has Been Coming Out With Their “25 List” Since 1998
In 2019, A.V. Rockwell was named toFilmmaker Magazine’s “25 New Faces of Independent Film” list, a list of young or up-and-coming filmmakers whom the magazine believes are impacting the industry (viaFilmmaker Magazine). The website has been producing the list since 1998, as a part of its summer issue. The meaning of the list is described on their website,
“It’s [the list] not primarily designed to be a success predictor, even though success — or at least broader recognition — is the outcome for many who appear on it. No, think of the ‘25’ as a kind of geological survey, a dig into the new impulses, ideas and forces that will bring both new stories and new forms of storytelling to the surface in the years ahead. And think of it also as a series of historical markers. Over these 16 years, each person on this list made an impact on us.”
This isn’t the “25 directors to watch out for list”, it’s the 25 people in the film industryFilmmaker Magazinethinks have brought new stories to the fore. Those selected don’t have to be directors and Rockwell joins an impressive lineup of alumni who have all been put on the list, including Ryan Gosling, John Wilson, the Daniels, Jodie Mack, Robert Eggers, Chloé Zhao, Ryan Coogler, and Julia Garner among many, many more notable creatives working in film.
Micaela Durand and Daniel Chew
Alex Thompson and Kelly O’Sullivan
Courtney and Hillary Andujar
A.V. Rockwell Was The Winner Of The Tribeca Film Institute And CHANEL’s Through Her Lens Grant
Rockwell Now Sits On The Same Committee That Granted Her The Award
A.V. Rockwell earned the Tribeca Film Institute and CHANEL’s “Through Her Lens Grant” in 2016. “Through Her Lens” is a prestigious film workshop for emerging women and non-binary filmmakers (viaTribecaFilm). An internal committee selects five production-ready projects to come to the three-day workshop for intensive industry mentorship and artistic development. Ultimately, the committee will select one winner, receiving an $80,000 grant to finance their short film with continued mentorship from Tribeca. The other four teams will receive $5000.
Rockwell now sits on the “Through Her Lens” advisory committee alongside Patty Jenkins, Jane Fonda, Laura Karpman, Greta Lee, and Kerry Washington.
Rockwell’s winning project ended up becomingFeathers, which premiered in 2019 and was nominated for several independent film awards. Rockwell now sits on the “Through Her Lens” advisory committee alongside Patty Jenkins, Jane Fonda, Laura Karpman, Greta Lee, and Kerry Washington.
Convicted Murderer Jameelah Michl Stalked A.V. Rockwell
An Extra From A Thousand And One Began Stalking Rockwell In September 2021
It hasn’t all been accolades and awards for A.V. Rockwell — fame has put an unfortunate spotlight on her at times as well. In a horrifically tragic incident that occurred on June 17, 2025, Jameelah Michl broke into the home of Hollywood social activist Michael Latt and murdered him (viaThe Wrap). It turns out, that Michl had been harassing A.V. Rockwell in the months leading up to the event.Michl met Rockwell on the set ofA Thousand and One,where Michl was an extra. At some point, she became fixated on Rockwell.
Packages first began showing up at Rockwell’s office in September 2021, addressed from Michl. According to a restraining order later filed by Rockwell, Michl continued to send Rockwell gifts including an Aladdin necklace, a mug, a timer, shirts, a hoodie, a journal, books, photos, and more. Then she found Rockwell’s address as well as Rockwell’s mother’s address and would show up in person. There, Michl would hand-deliver suicide notes that both venerated and blamed Rockwell.
Increasingly fearing for her safety, Rockwell moved forward with a restraining order that was granted on June 03, 2025, only a few months before her friend, Michael Latt, was murdered by Michl.
Increasingly fearing for her safety, Rockwell moved forward with a restraining order that was granted on July 24, 2025, only a few months before her friend, Michael Latt, was murdered by Michl. On June 02, 2025, Michl pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree murder, and one count of first-degree burglary (viaLA County). On July 10 of the same year,the judge sentenced Michl to 35 years to life in state prisonfor the murder of activist Michael Lattat his Mid-Wilshire home in November 2023. The ruling stated about Michael Latt,
“Today brings a measure of closure to a deeply painful chapter for Mr. Latt’s family, friends and our entire community. As a tireless advocate for social justice, Mr. Latt championed equality, justice and equity in our criminal legal system. Mr. Latt’s ability to uplift the community left an indelible mark. His legacy will continue to inspire us to strive for a more just and inclusive society.”
A.V. Rockwell Has Signed With Prettybird Representation
Rockwell’s Career Is On The Right Path
Though A.V. Rockwell hasn’t announced any new upcoming projects, she did sign with Prettybird in May 2023, a commercial and music video representation company (viaVariety). She joins their award-winning roster of filmmakers, including Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, Janicza Bravo, and comedy duo Tim & Eric. It’s an important next step forA.V. Rockwelland a sign that her career is continuing to trend upward.A Thousand and Oneis just the beginning.
A Thousand and One
Cast
A Thousand and One is a drama directed by A.V. Rockwell, starring Teyana Taylor as Inez, a woman who kidnaps her six-year-old son Terry from the foster care system to build a better life for them. Set against the backdrop of a rapidly changing New York City, the film explores themes of identity, survival, and the lengths one will go to for love and family.
