Writer | Director | Actress | Filmmaker | Educator
Empowering Diversity Through Unapologetically Black, Female, and Southern Storytelling
THE STORY
Monique Morton Derouselle is a Louisiana-born and bred interdisciplinary artist whose artistic approach is to "root for everybody Black" by showing honest, nuanced depictions of Black folks that are rarely seen on screen.
Monique received her BA in Mass Communications from Southern University Baton Rouge, her MFA in Writing from California State University Los Angeles, and improvisational training at The Second City Hollywood. Monique has been in the film industry since 2009 and has worked on both sides of the camera.
She is a writer, director, producer, actor, improviser, a full-time middle/high school theatre teacher, and an avid binge-watcher… which she swears is research. She was a mentee in the inaugural year of Unlock Her Potential, a mentorship program for women of color created by Sofia Chang. Monique is proud to say her mentor is Stefon Bristol, writer/director of the Netflix film See You Yesterday. With his support and guidance, Monique developed her first short film, Rising Dawn, a coming-of-age sports comedy loosely based on her time as a high school majorette.
Rising Dawn premiered at the Louisiana Film Prize in October 2022 and won the Founder's Circle Award from the judges. Rising Dawn screened at numerous festivals and is still circulating the festival circuit.
Monique's follow-up short film, The Candy Lady, inspired by neighborhood candy ladies from her childhood, also premiered at the Louisiana Film Prize in 2023. With this win Monique became the first black woman to win the grand prize at the Louisiana Film Prize! It swept the festival, winning The Grand Prize Award, The Top 5 Award, The Founders Circle Award, and Best Actress. The Candy Lady has since played at other festivals, including Diversity in Cannes, Micheaux Film Festival, Detroit Film Festival, Southern Screen, and the Oscar-qualifying festivals Cleveland International Film Festival and Indy Shorts. The Candy Lady won Best Narrative Short Film at the International Black Film Festival Nashville. Monique is currently developing the feature film for The Candy Lady.
THROUGH TIME
2009–2019: Industry Roots & Education
Monique began her creative career working both in front of and behind the camera, gaining early experience in film production and performance. She earned her BA in Mass Communications from Southern University in Baton Rouge, followed by an MFA in Writing from California State University, Los Angeles. Her improvisational training at The Second City Hollywood added an unscripted edge to her storytelling voice, blending comedy with authenticity.
2020: Motherhood & a New Creative Chapter
In 2020, Monique became a mother an experience that reshaped her creative lens. Rather than slowing down, she leaned into her artistry with a deeper sense of purpose, exploring themes of identity, resilience, and legacy through her work.
2022: First Film Debut – Rising Dawn
Her directorial debut Rising Dawn premiered at the Louisiana Film Prize, winning the Founder's Circle Award and establishing Monique as a filmmaker to watch. The short film was a personal coming-of-age comedy, blending lived experience with heartfelt storytelling.
2023–2024: Building Bad Mother Filmmaker & Breakthrough with The Candy Lady
Coining the term “Bad Mother Filmmaker” in 2022 and officially launching the brand in 2024, Monique created a movement that supports creatives who balance motherhood and filmmaking. Her second short, The Candy Lady, premiered at the 2024 Louisiana Film Prize and swept the awards, catapulting her into the national spotlight. The film continues to play at festivals across the country and has set the stage for its feature adaptation.
Today
Monique continues to develop new work under the Bad Mother Filmmaker banner while teaching middle and high school theatre. Her mission remains clear: create space for complex, joyful, and culturally rich stories—and empower others to do the same.
