Cheryl Dunye emerged as part of the “queer new wave” of young filmmakers of the 1990s. Often set within a domestic or personal context, her stories foreground issues of race, sexuality, and identity. Dunye’s work is defined by her distinctive narrative voice, a hybrid of documentary and fiction that has been dubbed “Dunyementary” style. She has made over 15 films, including The Watermelon Woman, HBO’s Stranger Inside, The Owls, and My Baby’s Daddy. Dunye has directed for many episodic series, including Ava Duverney’s Queen Sugar, Dear White People, and David Makes Man.
At the event, Dunye will receive the annual José Muñoz Award. The award, named after a beloved professor of cultural studies and queer studies at NYU and former CLAGS board member, is given in honor of LGBTQ activists who have promoted queer and trans studies and visibility in their work. Previous recipients include Janet Mock, Jose Antonio Vargas, and Patrisse Cullors.
Presented with CLAGS: The Center for LGBTQ Studies.
