Michelle Bauer Carpenter

Michelle Bauer Carpenter is a Professor in the College of Arts & Media at the University of Colorado Denver. Carpenter has produced, directed, and edited award-winning documentary pieces. Her video pieces have been screened in numerous international and national film festivals and art galleries.
 

Carpenter’s new film “Awadagin Pratt: Black in America.” Is a moving 30-minute documentary that confronts issues of privilege and racism in America. You are never too famous for escaping racism and racial profiling. Awadagin Pratt is a renowned concert pianist, composer, and violinist. Pratt is acclaimed for his musical prowess, skilled recitals, and performances with symphony orchestras. On May 25, 2020, Minneapolis police officers arrested George Floyd. This arrest led to his death via public execution. His murder was recorded on camera by a witness and documents Mr. Floyd begging for his life and unconscious under the knee of three police officers. This televised murder triggers a response in Awadagin Pratt, and Pratt begins to relive countless police stops, racial profiling, and harassment. The film Awadagin Pratt: Black in America reveals what it is like to be a person of color in the United States and confronts issues of privilege and racism in America.
 

“Enough White Teacups,” is a feature documentary that celebrates inventions that help to improve life and highlights the winners of the prestigious Danish INDEX Awards. The film continues to screen nationally and internationally. “Enough White Teacups” has won numerous awards, including the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Heartland Chapter Award for Graphic Design and Best Foreign Film Award, among others.

 

Carpenter’s film “Klocked: Women with Horsepower,” is a 30-minute documentary that showcases motorcycle land speed racers Laura Klock and her two daughters, Karlee and Erika Cobb. “Klocked: Women with Horsepower” has won a National Academy of Arts & Sciences Heartland Chapter Emmy for Excellence in Journalistic Enterprise. “Klocked: Women with Horsepower” was also awarded three national awards, including an Award of Recognition Women Filmmaker from the Hollywood International Independent Documentary Awards and Winner of Best Action Sports Film at the Canada International Film Festival. “Klocked: Women with Horsepower” was featured for Women’s History Month on KCET, Los Angeles, and KQED San Francisco, California.

 

Carpenter’s film, Driven to Ride, has been telecast 533 times on PBS, played on 222 channels in 93 markets, in 32 states, with a market penetration of 58% of United States households. 64% of Driven to Ride’s broadcasts have been in the top 25 US broadcast markets.
 

Her film about the catastrophic Fourmile fire titled “Above the Ashes” was awarded two prestigious Heartland Chapter Emmy Awards in the categories of best topical documentary and best program editing. The Heartland Chapter is in the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS), and the Emmy Award represents the best in the television industry. Carpenter has won four National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Heartland Chapter Emmys throughout her career.