Earlier this week, I was shocked and saddened to hear the tragic news about indie actress/filmmaker Adrienne Shelly. On November 1, Shelly was found dead in her New York office. At first, her death was ruled a suicide but later evidence revealed she was murdered during an argument with a construction worker. Shelly is survived by her husband, Andy Ostroy, and a three-year-old daughter Sophie.

Shelly was born Adrienne Levine in Queens, New York and raised on Long Island. She is best known for her performances in Hal Hartley's films The Unbelievable Truth and Trust. Trust, still one of my favorite films is the first time I discovered this actress and Hal Hartley. I remember relating to Maria, the pregnant high school drop-out, who Shelly played with such such conviction. Over the years, Shelly appeared in several films and television dramas, and most recently starred in Bent Hammer'sFactotum. Shelly also wrote and directed Sudden, Manhattan (1997) and I'll Take You There (1999) and most recently completed Waitress, a feature film starring Keri Russell, Nathan Fillion, Cheryl Hines and Jeremy Sisto. The film was waiting to hear if it was accepted into Sundance, so hopefully the film will still be able to find distribution.

I send out my prayers and best wishes to Adrienne Shelly's family.

Long live indie film,

Michelle