Monika Jane Browatzki, aka MJ Watz, grew up between the saguaros of Arizona and the redwoods of Northern California. She tells stories using magical realism and horror.
Monika earned her Bachelor of Arts in Film Production with a concentration in Cinematography and a Theater minor from UCLA's School of Theater, Film & Television. She studied sketch writing at Upright Citizens Brigade, where she wrote the short films: "Nite Terrors" and "Zara Bagan's Ghost Experiences." Her previous directing work includes the sketch comedy short "Datch" produced by Funny or Die, 12 music videos - ranging from folk to hip-hop, PSAs for organizations such as UCLA's Healthy Campus Initiative, and the short surreal found-footage thriller "Devil's Claw."
Monika has also directed theatrical productions of "The Vagina Monologues," a fundraiser; "Murder in the Key of G," a murder mystery dinner; and "Bloody Awful," a double feature for the Hollywood Fringe Festival.
Her first feature "Leash Leader," which she wrote, produced, directed, and self-distributed, was selected for festivals including Straight Jacket Guerilla Filmmaking, Poor Life Choices Comedy Film Festival, and Tucson Terrorfest. In 2021, her documentary, "Hans Ulrich Browatzki Immigrates to America,'' won Best Documentary in the LACC Cinema & Television Awards.