Biography

Devon Chivvis

Director
Writer
Producer

Elevation: an exploration of the human spirit.

In 1990, 12 mentally and physically challenged athletes traveled to Tanzania to attempt a physical challenge no one thought they could attain: to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa, standing almost 20,000 feet above sea level. During their incredible climb, the athletes were bombarded with some of the worst weather Mt. Kilimanjaro had seen in decades, and 7 out of 12 athletes had to descend, in defeat, to the base camp. In the past 17 years, the memory of their groundbreaking climb to Kilimanjaro has helped many of these athletes face their seemingly insurmountable daily challenges. And while they cherish the experiences they had, those who did not summit could only dream of a second chance to conquer Kilimanjaro Â– until now.

"Elevation" is the story of these 7 athletes who, refusing to let one failed attempt at summiting the highest mountain in Africa hold them back, return to Africa. This time, they will let nothing stand in their way.

Play trailer2:18

Elevation (2008)

Devon Chivvis is a writer, director, and producer of narrative and documentary television and film. With a passion for visual storytelling, her mission is to create inspiring human stories with the highest possible production value, cinematography, editing, and sound design.

She earned an MFA in Film and Television Production from the USC School of Cinematic Arts in 2003 where she was mentored by Robert Zemeckis, and in 2010 she was selected as an "upcoming director" by LACMA. Since 2003, she has produced, written, and directed documentary and narrative television and film for a variety of clients such as Nat Geo Channel and Travel Channel.

She also writes and directs narrative recreations and has written several narrative film scripts and TV pilots.

Devon holds a B.A. from Johns Hopkins University in International Relations and French, with a minor in Italian. She studied international economics at Sciences Politiques in Paris and photography at the Spéos Institute of Photography in Paris and at the Santa Fe Photographic Workshops in New Mexico.