Gay Abel-Bey

Gay Abel-Bey
Alma mater	Mount Holyoke College; UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television (M.F.A.)
Occupation(s)	Filmmaker, educator
Years active	1977–present
Known for	Director, producer, writer, editor; faculty member at New York University
Notable work	Fragrance, Father & Son, Running 4 My Life, When It's Your Turn, Stone Cold Hustler, Kiss Grandmother Goodbye

Gay Abel-Bey is a multifaceted American filmmaker and educator, recognized for her roles as director, producer, writer, editor, and currently serving as a faculty member at New York University.

Early life and education

Abel-Bey completed her undergraduate studies at Mount Holyoke College before obtaining an M.F.A. in Film from the UCLA. In 1991, her thesis project, Fragrance, was honored with the Dorothy Arzner Award, acknowledging exceptional dramatic work by a female filmmaker. During her tenure at UCLA's School of Theater, Film, and Television, she instructed courses in screenwriting and production. Additionally, Abel-Bey partnered with Leslie Zak, ABC’s Television Lighting Director, to create educational videos on television lighting techniques; these materials are preserved in UCLA’s archives.

Career

Abel-Bey has played a significant role in the Los Angeles film scene through her involvement with Filmex, a prominent film festival. She also co-hosted a retrospective event for London's National Film School. Through Cal State LA’s media department, she initiated a documentary workshop aimed at empowering at-risk youth within the community. Her production portfolio includes titles such as Father & Son, Running 4 My Life, When It's Your Turn (produced for WPVI-TV), Stone Cold Hustler, and Kiss Grandmother Goodbye. Notably, Father & Son received the Sonny Innovators Award, while Stone Cold Hustler was awarded a regional Emmy in Washington, D.C. for its contribution to the "Drug Free School Zone" initiative.

Since 1995, Abel-Bey has been a member of the New York University faculty, where she functions as an Academic Advisor within the Undergraduate Division of Film & Television. Her teaching responsibilities include courses in production and screenwriting. She has also served as a teaching assistant for classes such as Remote Television Workshop and Sports Broadcasting & Intermediate Television Production.

Filmography

Year	Title	Role(s)	Remarks
1977	Daydream Therapy	Actor
1980	Happy Valentine's Day	Director and writer
1991	Fragrance	Director, producer, writer, editor	Thesis film

Other notable projects:

• Father & Son
• Running 4 My Life
• When It's Your Turn
• Stone Cold Hustler
• Kiss Grandmother Goodbye

Awards

• Dorothy Arzner Award
• Sonny Innovators Award
• Regional Emmy Award