JoAnn Elam

JoAnn Elam (April 20, 1949 – June 25, 2009) was a Chicago-based filmmaker. Her films explored the themes of feminism and she was best known for her film Rape (1978). Elam also worked on other political and social documentaries such as her unfinished film Everyday People (1979–1990).

Not only did Elam's work focus on these themes but she also focused on everyday life in her films. While living in San Francisco,California, and Yellow Springs, Ohio, where she attended Antioch College, Elam had completed these everyday life documentary films. These films and her other films were produced on 16mm and 8mm films, but mainly 8mm.