Director Identity
Bio
Chithra Jeyaram [She/Her] is a physical therapist-turned-filmmaker who identifies as Tamil. Her films focus on the wisdom, resilience, and love found within both biological and chosen families. In her films—from initial idea to completion—she handles every phase of production: directing, producing, filming, and editing. She also regularly collaborates with other creators on coproductions, contributing her expertise in directing, producing, and editing to their creative work. She is an alumna of prestigious programs, including Visions du Réel’s RoughCut Lab, the Chicken & (Egg)celerator Lab, the BGDM Artist Fellowship, the Gotham Documentary Fellowship, and the Jerome Foundation grant. Her second feature documentary, LOVE CHAOS KIN, emerged from her own deeply personal contemplation of adoption as an Indian immigrant. The film powerfully highlights multicultural and multiracial families, showcasing the experiences of an Indian immigrant family raising their adopted White-presenting, Navajo-descent twins. and advocates for ethical, trauma-informed adoption practices that prioritize a child’s well-being, maintain connections with birth families, and showcase a more inclusive, connected America. Chithra is also the lead producer of the award-winning short documentary AMMA'S PRIDE (2024), championing unwavering parental support for trans people and marriage equality. Food is her first love, and she is an avid runner who has completed 15 marathons. She calls Chennai and New York City home and is writing her first screenplay, THE LONGEST SUMMER.
Screening History
World Premiere - CAAMFest Centerpiece May 11, 2025
East Coast Premiere - Documentary Competition, May 31, 2025, Brooklyn Film Festival
Awards History
Visions Du Reel Rough Cut Lab 2023
Chicken and Egg(ccelerator) Lab 2022
2025 WINNER Audience Award, Best of PA, Centre Film Festival
2025 WINNER Audience Award Best Feature Documentary Film, Chicago South Asian Film Festival
2025 WINNER AICEF Prize for Cross Cultural Filmmaking, Middlebury New Filmmaker Festival
Press
"Beyond its extraordinary story, the perspectives Jeyaram presents are grounded, timely, and consistently engaging. The concept of adoption, particularly involving children of different ancestry from their parents, is explored from multiple angles, encompassing both those who place children for adoption and those who receive them. Issues of racism are addressed as well, yet the central message, derived from lived experience rather than abstract theorizing, suggests that ethical, trauma-informed practices rooted in connection can offer meaningful solutions, even in cases as complex as this one."
FILM CRITIC PANOS KOTZATHANASIS Asian Movie Pulse, one of the biggest portals dealing with Asian cinema.
"A thoughtful documentary protagonist is a boon to a filmmaker, able to elevate even the simplest of subjects beyond its narrative limitations. In Love Chaos Kin, from director Chithra Jeyaram (Foreign Puzzle), the topic at hand is full of layered complexities, though at its core is mainly about love. Thanks to Lakshmi Iyer, the main character and anchor of the story, all the many nuances of text and subtext emerge in cinematic glory, making the movie a moving testament to the human spirit."
-Film Critic Christopher Llewellyn Reed
Credits
Executive Producer - Nico Opper
Music Composer - Vivek Maddala
Executive Producer - Gretchen Sisson