Rachel Annette Helson is a NYC-based filmmaker whose kinetic, character-driven work combines heightened style with intimate portraits of charismatic, morally questionable outsiders. She has directed four feature films, most recently THE AIR HE BREATHES, an adaptation of Brittainy C. Cherry's USA Today bestselling novel. Academy Award winner Marlee Matlin and Auli'i Cravalho are attached to star in her next feature TRIMMERS, an indie thriller. 

Her recent work also includes GOOD DAUGHTER, a short film about a small-time con artist who rips off elderly dementia patients by pretending to be their daughter in order to pay for her own mother’s hospice care. The film was longlisted for the 2025 Academy Awards and won a Silver Telly Award. 

Before becoming a director, Rachel made Broadway history. At age 20, she became the youngest producer ever nominated for a TONY Award for her work on Neil LaBute's REASONS TO BE PRETTY, a distinction she holds to this day. She also spent a decade as a professional actor, appearing in projects for Netflix, Cinemax, NBC, Starz, and HBO, including two series directed by Steven Soderbergh, whose work inspired her to become a director.  

She has directed brand pieces for national companies including McGraw Hill, Bob's Discount Furniture, Kaiser Permanente, Dun & Bradstreet, SailPoint and Included Health. She has also shadowed Randy Zisk and Jackie Tejada on BOSTON BLUE (JBTV, Boston Unit) and Keith Powell on A HOLIDAY IN HARLEM (Hallmark), where she directed the second unit, shooting the film’s opening sequence on location in New York City.

Rachel is an alumna of NYU's Tisch School of the Arts; a member of Film Fatales, the Alliance of Women Directors, and SAG-AFTRA; and her work has been covered by The New York Times, Variety, Forbes, and MovieMaker.

Awards

Telly Award (Silver Winner), Best Drama Good Daughter, 2025

Tony Award (Nomination), Best Production of a Play reasons to be pretty, 2010

Drama Desk Award (Nomination), Best Production of a Play reasons to be pretty, 2010

New Director to Watch, Shoot Online Magazine 2019