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| Parneille Walker |
By Darlene Donloe
In the world of film, making a lasting impression is key, and Parneille Walker's directorial debut, "Love is Blind," is certainly doing just that.
This sharp, modern romantic comedy short has been making waves on the festival circuit, earning 16 nominations and 12 wins, including honors at prestigious events such as the BronzeLens Film Festival, Diversity in Cannes, and The People's Film Festival.
Walker, who will enter five additional film festivals next week, has her eye on the Pan African Film Festival in Los Angeles and the Tribeca Film Festival in New York.
The film is currently set to screen at the Micheaux Film Festival in Culver City on Saturday, October 25, 2025.
“It helps my confidence to get nominations and some wins at these festivals,” said Walker, a Sacramento native, who now lives in Los Angeles. “I had impostor syndrome going into this.”
Walker describes her directorial debut as a “roller coaster.”
“It definitely was,” she said. “It started and wouldn’t stop. It was exhilarating and scary. There was a lot of stuff that I wasn’t expecting.”
Walker said in the end, it was rewarding.
“That was a great experience,” she said. “It taught me that I could do it. I really want to do this.”
For Walker, a seasoned post-production supervisor turned filmmaker, "Love is Blind" is more than just a film—it's a passion project that showcases her unique voice in comedy and character-driven storytelling.
With a background working on major studio productions across CBS, Warner Bros, Fox, and Disney, Walker, who has worked as an NBC page, production assistant, coordinator for executives, a set production assistant, a first assistant director, a writers assistant, and a post production supervisor, brings a wealth of experience to the table. Her transition from post-production supervisor to director may seem unexpected, but it's clear that she's found her calling.
“In the beginning, it was like - when do I start?” she said. “I was worried about the budget. Then I had the money and didn't have the time. I thought, ‘When am I going to do this? I did it while I was working. I did everything on the weekends. I prepped on the weekend.”
Walker said she was determined to bring her project to life, so she asked her mother to match the money she had in her savings to finish it. Her efforts proved to be fruitful.
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| Brandon Fobbs and Ivonnah Erskine in 'Love is Blind' |
"Love is Blind" follows a hapless protagonist on a blind date in Los Angeles, where everything that could go wrong does.
With comedic twists and poignant moments, the film captures the awkward beauty of modern dating through the lens of Black and Brown leads. Walker said the inspiration for the film came from life, her dating history, and her natural silliness.
“Yes, I’m naturally silly,” she said. “I’m a natural storyteller. I’ve lived in Los Angeles for 20 years. I’ve had crazy dating experiences. I used a lot of my own experiences and those of my friends’ crazy experiences. The question was - What are the crazy things that could happen in one night? I didn't want it to be dramatic.”
Walker hopes the film contributes to the ongoing conversation about diversity and inclusion in the entertainment industry.
“I hope the conversation continues and brings more positive films back,” she said. “The year 2000 rom coms inspired me. They were beautiful Black rom-coms. It was beautiful Black love on screen. For a while, it left. I wanted to bring it back.”
The film's relatability factor is high, and audiences will laugh, cringe, and root for the protagonist all at once.
The film's nomination in three categories at the Micheaux Film Festival in Culver City is a testament to its excellence.
With its diverse cast, witty dialogue, and nuanced exploration of relationships, "Love is Blind" is a standout in the romantic comedy genre.
As Walker continues to make her mark on the film industry, audiences can expect great things from this talented filmmaker.
With "Love is Blind" garnering attention on the festival circuit, it's clear that Walker's future in comedy and character-driven storytelling is bright.
Along her journey, Walker said she learned lessons about herself and directing.
“When it comes to directing, it’s my vision, but it’s a team effort,” she said. “You can’t be a dictator on the set. Everyone is putting so much into it.
When it comes to the lessons I learned personally, I realize I am stronger than I think I am. I’m used to playing backseat to everyone. I’m the one rooting everybody else on. This showed me I can drive the product and finish it. Because I’m new, I give myself an 8 out of 10 for my first time directing. The success of the film is proof that I have what it takes.”
“Love is Blind,” directed by Walker, stars Brandon Fobbs, Melvin Jackson Jr., Aasha Davis, and Ivonnah Erskine.
"Love is Blind" will screen during the Micheaux Film Festival at 9:15 p.m., Saturday, October 25, 2025, in the Culver Theater Auditorium, 9500 Culver Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232
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