About

Rachel Fleit is an award-winning director and writer with a focus on telling intimate and authentic stories through the lens of cinéma verité. Known for her thorough and respectful examination of her subjects, Fleit has quickly risen as an auteur with nuance in telling stories of people from all backgrounds.

Most recently from Fleit is the hit Max documentary Bama Rush, documenting the viral sorority recruitment week at the University of Alabama. The film has received critical praise from across the mediasphere and is currently the #1 documentary launch in the history of Max (fka HBO Max). Bama Rush follows four young women as they prepare to rush at the university in 2022. In the revealing documentary, Fleit explores the emotional complexities and stakes of belonging during this crucial window into womanhood.

Fleit directed the critically acclaimed Introducing, Selma Blair, which follows Selma Blair as she attempts to adapt to new ways of living after her multiple sclerosis diagnosis. The film premiered in the Documentary Feature Competition at SXSW, where it won The Special Jury Recognition for Exceptional Intimacy in Storytelling and was acquired by Discovery+. Among other accolades, Fleit was nominated for a Critics Choice Award for Best First Documentary Feature as well as Best Documentary Feature.

Previous documentaries include her short Ava & Bianca, about two female transgender cinematographers. For her work on the film, Fleit was a recipient of the first ever, and now annual, Women’s Fund Grant from Made in NY/ Mayor’s Office for Film & Television, in addition to several other accolades. Additionally her short, Gefilte, about a Jewish family that finds beauty in a traditional holiday fish dish, has screened at more than 40 Jewish Film Festivals internationally since its premiere in 2018. 

Fleit is a proud advocate of people living with Alopecia and has appeared in The New York Times, New York Magazine, Vogue.com, The Wall Street Journal, W magazine, Today.com, and Refinery 29.  among many others.  Prior to her directing career, Rachel was the chief creative officer for the NYC luxury womenswear brand, Honor, where she oversaw the storytelling surrounding every collection for 7 years.

 Fleit is represented by CAA.