Kelly Paoli is a queer writer-director-editor from Toronto Canada. Having started her journey in front of the camera, Paoli is known for being “an actor’s director”, along with a keen sense of shooting for the edit, running her sets both thoughtfully and economically. Interested in poignant dramas, absurd comedies and socially-minded documentaries, Paoli’s work explores themes of existentialism, performative behaviour and the nuances of womanhood.

Recent work includes a documentary following the 2024 Paralympic journey of Canadas Women’s Sitting Volleyball Team, two episodes in the second season of horror anthology “Creepy Bits”, and Canada Council for the Arts funded queer drama, “I Only Kiss in the Dark”. She is a graduate of York University’s inaugural 2013 Film Screenwriting BFA, with a minor in Creative Writing.

When not making, watching or talking about films, Paoli spends her time with her favourite assistant editors; a korat named Buck and a tabby named Moose.