Director and Writer Kit Rich’s Movie ‘Isabel’s Garden’ Sweeps Away Hearts and Multiple Awards

The Los Angeles Film Festival’s Independent Filmmakers Showcase (IFS) witnessed an emotional triumph as Kit Rich took home the Best Director award for her feature film ‘Isabel’s Garden’. The award not only recognized her exceptional directorial skills but also highlighted the film’s heartfelt narrative, a standout amidst the festival’s dominant genres like thrillers, suspense, and action.  

Kit Rich, a fitness entrepreneur turned filmmaker, has made an indelible mark with her transition into the film industry. “Being recognized in the independent filmmaker space is huge,” Rich said, emphasizing the significance of her win in a domain often overshadowed by high-tension genres. “Our movie is a family movie, and to be recognized among thrillers and action films shows that faith is needed too.”  

Isabel’s Garden, produced by Iris Tuesday Productions and starring Karen David from ‘Fear the Walking Dead’, captivated audiences with its themes of hope and family. The film’s emotional resonance was palpable. “When we turned on the lights after the movie, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house,” Rich recounts. “The ultimate feeling that people had was hope and love.” 

The festival, held at Regal Cinemas in downtown LA, was a week-long celebration of independent filmmaking. Despite fierce competition, Kit’s film stood out for its genuine portrayal of real-life challenges and emotions. “Attention is the highest form of commodity value,” she notes, reflecting on the current media landscape. “But to know that this kind of story was holding people’s attention is something I take a lot of pride in.” 

The film has already made significant waves on the festival circuit. At the California Women’s Film Festival, Isabel’s Garden won Best Feature Film 2024. Additionally, the film is nominated in several categories: Best Director (Kit Rich), Best Original Screenplay (Kit Rich), Best Actress (Karen David), Best Supporting Actress (Valery Ortiz), and Best Supporting Actress (Gabriela Flores). This follows previous accolades at the Poppy Jasper International Film Festival, where it won Best Feature Film 2024 and Kit Rich secured Best Writing: Audience Award. “We have been very strategic in what festivals we have tried to get into, we are really doing these grassroots, and trusting in the power of word of mouth from audiences and the power of the message of the story,” states Rich. 

This director’s journey to this accolade is as inspiring as her film. A Los Angeles native, she has been a renowned fitness trainer for high-profile celebrities, having garnered millions of views on her online platforms. Transitioning from fitness to filmmaking was a significant risk, but one that has paid off. “Being in my forties and making a complete career shift is a story in itself,” she shared. “Hope and hard work wins.”  

This tireless director is already working on her next projects, which include a romantic comedy and a family holiday movie. Despite exploring different genres, Kit remains committed to creating feel-good movies that leave a lasting positive impact, adhering to her signature feel-good style.  

A humble human, Kit, attributes her success to the collaborative effort of her team. With gratitude, she says, “What everyone sees on the screen has everything to do with everyone involved including but not limited to my cinematographer, actors, editors, music composers, costume designers, and set decorators. Every single person involved played an essential role. If any one of those had been a weak link, it would have shown, but nobody was.”  

Kit Rich’s story is a powerful reminder that following one’s intuition and taking risks can lead to remarkable achievements. She expresses, “I feel extremely proud and thankful. It's amazing to have the public and peers in your field acknowledge your work. It’s a testament to paying attention to your intuition.”