Frances Reid
Directing
Biography
Frances Reid is an American film producer, director and cinematographer, best known for her documentaries "Straight from the Heart" and "Long Night's Journey Into Day", that were both nominated for an Academy Award.
Known For

Happy is a 2011 feature documentary film directed, written, and co-produced by Roko Belic. It explores human happiness through interviews with people from all walks of life in 14 different countries, weaving in the newest findings of positive psychology. Director Roko Belic was originally inspired to create the film after producer/director Tom Shadyac (Liar, Liar, Patch Adams, Bruce Almighty) showed him an article in the New York Times entitled "A New Measure of Well Being From a Happy Little Kingdom". The article ranks the United States as the 23rd happiest country in the world. Shadyac then suggested that Belic make a documentary about happiness. Belic spent several years interviewing over 20 people, ranging from leading happiness researchers to a rickshaw driver in Kolkatta, a family living in a "co-housing community" in Denmark, a woman who was run over by a truck, a Cajun fisherman, and more.
Happy

Harvey Milk was an outspoken human rights activist and one of the first openly gay U.S. politicians elected to public office; even after his assassination in 1978, he continues to inspire disenfranchised people around the world.
The Times of Harvey Milk

This documentary tells four stories of Apartheid in South Africa, as seen through the eyes of the Truth and Reconciliation commission
Long Night's Journey into Day

A short film mostly comprised of two sources: research footage from 1988 about the beginnings of the HIV epidemic from the perspective of medical professionals, and an interview with Cleve Jones in 2003 as he looks back upon his activism, and the state of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the early 2000s.
Then and Now: 1981-2004

A multi-racial group of college students in a weekend racial sensitivity workshop discuss affirmative action, self-segregation, internalized racism and cultural identity. The film continues as they return to their campuses (University of Massachusetts, Texas A&M, Chico State, and U.C. Berkeley) and visit home.
Skin Deep

A short documentary about the First National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights, which took place on Sunday, October 14th 1979.
Greetings from Washington, D.C.

This Academy Award-nominated film takes a moving personal story, illuminates it with insight and humor, and makes it universal. In recounting her attempts to come to terms with her mother's advancing Alzheimer's disease, Deborah Hoffmann explores the relationship between mother and daughter, parent and child, and the tenacity of love.
Complaints of a Dutiful Daughter
Parents talk about their gay and lesbian children, and how they came to accept their lifestyle.
Straight from the Heart
Documentary about the making of The Changer and The Changed, an album recorded by Cris Williamson in 1975 that became one of the icons of women's music.
The Changer: A Record of the Times

A video essay about the personal and political context of a landmark lesbian feminist documentary film from 1977 called "In the Best Interests of the Children" about lesbian mothers fighting to regain custody of their children in the 1970s. As a nearly forgotten period of LGBTQ+ history, this documentary short introduces us to now retired filmmaker Frances Reid (award winning cinematographer and director) and her “step-daughter” Julie Stevens while they look through the film’s archives, discuss the making of the film and their personal relationship.
Lesbian Custody

Shows how the Black Church has embraced African-American lesbians and gay men as dedicated members of its spiritual family. Prominent religious, intellectual and political leaders, family members, and activists speak out about the role of the church and the importance of a commitment to equal rights and social justice for all people, including lesbians and gay men.
All God's Children

A group of black, male addicts in recovery meet and reflect on their experiences with life, alcohol and drugs.
Circle of Recovery

Gay mothers argue for the right to custody of their children.
In the Best Interests of the Children

The compelling story of Todd Coleman, a 22-year-old gay man with AIDS, and those who cared for him during the last weeks of his life. Todd, his lover, doctor, nurse, social worker and two volunteers reveal the human realities and the importance of practical support, friendship and unconditional love.
Living with AIDS

These film clips tell the story of the human experience of living with HIV/AIDS. People with HIV/AIDS, their husbands and wives, their families, their doctors and health workers talk about how HIV/AIDS has affected their lives. These are the personal video stories from Cameroon and Zimbabwe in which people speak out about their hopes and fears, their struggle against pain and abandonment and their fight for greater awareness and understanding. The film challenges stereotypes and calls for a concerted effort to face up to the epidemic.