Christine Swanson

A visionary storyteller from Detroit, multiple award-winning director Christine Swanson earned her MFA in Film from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. Christine also earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Notre Dame double majoring in Communications and Japanese. Christine has become one of television’s most trusted directors of music-driven and culturally significant biopics. Her early television films include To Hell and Back (2015) and For the Love of Ruth (2015), the latter earning her an NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Directing in a Television Motion Picture. Her work on Love Under New Management: The Miki Howard Story (2016) shattered network ratings records and earned a Black Reel Award nomination. In 2020, Christine helmed The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel, which became the #1 cable movie of 2020 across all networks. The film won Best TV Movie from the African American Film Critics Association, the Satellite Award for Best Television Movie, and the NAMIC Vision Award, while earning nominations from the Critics’ Choice AwardsWomen’s Image Network Awards, and five NAACP Image Awards, including Outstanding Directing.That same year, Christine received a Women’s Image Network Award nomination for Outstanding Film Directed by a Woman. Her short film Fannie (2022), starring Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor as Fannie Lou Hamer, earned NAACP Image Award and Black Reel Award nominations, continuing her commitment to telling stories of legacy, courage, and cultural impact. Christine’s feature Albany Road (2024), a deeply moving road-trip drama starring Renée Elise Goldsberry and Lynn Whitfield, premiered at Ebertfest and screened at the American Black Film Festival. The film won Best Feature Filmat the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival, received a Black Reel Award nomination for Outstanding Independent Film, and earned two NAACP Image Awards — including Outstanding Supporting Actress for Lynn Whitfield and Outstanding Independent Film. Christine’s television directing credits include episodes of Chicago P.D., FBI, P-Valley, MacGyver, All American, Roswell, New Mexico, Found, All American Homecoming, Sweet Magnolias, Bel-Air and BMF. Christine resides in LA.

Format: Scripted Episodic

Genre: Drama

Location: Los Angeles, California, United States

Roger Ebert Golden Thumb Award (Albany Road)

AAFCA Top 10 Films of 2024 (Albany Road)

2 NAACP Award Nominations for Best Independent Film (Albany Road) and Best Supporting Actress (Lynn Whitfield)

AAFCA Awards: Best TV Movie (Clark Sisters)

5 NAACP Image Awards including Best Director and Best Movie (Clark Sisters)