Writer/director Whitney Chitwood sits framed by a green frame with the OTV Atlas logo over her head.

Former horsegirl and current grownup gay lady, Whitney Chitwood (she/they) is a Chicago based writer/director who was raised by two theatre owner/director parents in small-town Illinois. She was selected by the Emmy-nominated OTV for their Atlas Ambassador program (2025) alongside her short film Sam Wants Her Sweater Back, which is about to begin its festival run. A co-production with Full Spectrum Features (Desire Lines, Signature Move) SWHSB’s screenplay received Seed & Spark’s Mark Duplass Spotlight and finished Top 10 in Cinequest’s Screenwriting Competition.

Currently, Whit’s queer anti-Western series Kid is in development with Anarchists United & Lilly Wachowski.

Prior to moving behind the camera full time, Whit toured nationally as a headlining comedian. Her debut album "The Bakery Case" premiered at #1 on iTunes and Top 10 on the Billboard Comedy Charts.

As an artist, Whit’s work always passes the hell out of the Bechdel Test and strives to center LGBTQIA+ characters without queerness being the central conflict, ideals central to her production company Witch It Productions, LLC.

Whit shares a home with her girlfriend and dog Flea in Chicago. If they don’t answer when you knock, they’re more than likely at the softball field (Whit plays 3B, Flea plays cheerleader) or visiting the family farm to bark at barn cats.

Headshot taken by Moll Jean Nye.

Behind the scenes photos of Sam Wants Her Sweater Back taken by Olivia Jepson.