Mary Bronstein

Mary Bronstein

Mary Bronstein (née Wall, born 1979) is an American actress and filmmaker best known for the films Yeast (2008) and If I Had Legs I'd Kick You (2025).

Early life and education

Mary Bronstein

Bronstein was born in White Plains, New York, in 1979. She attended New York University Tisch School of the Arts.

Career

Mary Bronstein

In 2007 Bronstein appeared in Frownland, directed by her future husband Ronald Bronstein. Her own directorial debut, Yeast, premiered at the 2008 South by Southwest Film Festival.

Bronstein's second feature as director, If I Had Legs I'd Kick You, was announced in 2023 and premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. Produced by Elara Pictures and Fat City, the film is distributed by A24. The film was screened in competition at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival and received five nominations at the Gotham Independent Film Awards, including for Best Feature and Best Director.

Personal life

Mary Bronstein

Bronstein is married to Ronald Bronstein. They have a daughter.

Filmography

Mary Bronstein

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Title</th><th>Director</th><th>Actor</th><th>Role</th><th>Notes</th><th>Ref.</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>2007</td><td>Frownland</td><td>No</td><td>Yes</td><td>Laura</td><td>Credited as Mary Wall</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2008</td><td>Yeast</td><td>Yes</td><td>Yes</td><td>Rachel</td><td>—N/a</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2011</td><td>The Jonestown Defense</td><td>No</td><td>Yes</td><td>Tina</td><td>—N/a</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2025</td><td>If I Had Legs I'd Kick You</td><td>Yes</td><td>Yes</td><td>Dr. Spring</td><td>—N/a</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

Awards and nominations

Mary Bronstein

<table><thead><tr><th>Award</th><th>Year</th><th>Category</th><th>Work</th><th>Result</th><th>Ref.</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Berlin International Film Festival</td><td>2025</td><td>Golden Bear</td><td>If I Had Legs I'd Kick You</td><td>Nominated</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Chicago Film Critics Association</td><td>2025</td><td>Milos Stehlik Breakthrough Filmmaker Award</td><td>Nominated</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Film Independent Spirit Awards</td><td>2026</td><td>Best Director</td><td>Nominated</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Georgia Film Critics Association Awards</td><td>2025</td><td>Best Original Screenplay</td><td>Nominated</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Gotham Independent Film Awards</td><td>2025</td><td>Best Director</td><td>Nominated</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Best Original Screenplay</td><td>Nominated</td></tr><tr><td>New York Film Critics Online</td><td>2025</td><td>Best Screenplay</td><td>Nominated</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Writers Guild of America Awards</td><td>2026</td><td>Best Original Screenplay</td><td>Nominated</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>