Lisa Cortés is an American producer and director of a number of film and television works, including Little Richard: I Am Everything in 2023.
Lisa Cortés | |
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.jpg) Lisa Cortés (right) in 2018 | |
| Born | Lisa Cortés December 24, 1960 |
| Alma mater | Yale University |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 2004–present |
Early life, education and early career
editCortés is a native of Milford, Connecticut and a graduate of Milford Academy. She attended Yale University, graduating with a degree in American Studies. Cortés began her career at Def Jam, later Rush Producers Management and then as an executive at Mercury Records.[1][2] She is now the CEO of Cortés Filmworks.
Filmmaking
editCortés is an alumnus of New York Film Academy. She produced the feature films The Apollo, Little Apple, and Invisible Beauty, and worked with Lee Daniels to produce The Woodsman, Shadow Boxer, Tennessee, and Precious.[3]
Cortés co-directed a film about the work of Stacey Abrams in All In: The Fight for Democracy with Liz Garbus[4]; The Remix: Hip Hop X Fashion, and Little Richard: I Am Everything, with Dee Rees as Executive Producer,[5] a documentary which premiered at Sundance Film Festival.[6][7][8][9]
In 2023, Cortés co-directed The Space Race: The Untold Story of the First Black Astronauts, featuring the stories of Guion Bluford, Ed Dwight and Charles Bolden.[10] The documentary was produced for National Geographic with Executive Producers Frank Marshall, Tony Rosenthal and former astronaut Leland Melvin and producers Keero Birla and Mark Monroe.[11][12][13][14]
Selected awards and recognitions
edit- The Apollo - Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special in 2020;[15] shortlisted for nomination of the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature Film at the 92nd Academy Awards.
- Precious - six nominations at the 82nd Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actress. Won Best Supporting Actress and Best Adapted Screenplay.
- Little Richard: I am Everything - Nominations: Peabody Award, Grammy Award for Best Music Film, Dorian Award for LGBTQ Documentary of the Year.
References
edit- ^ Jones, Okla (December 30, 2023). "Director Lisa Cortés Explores The Power Of Imagination Through Her Work". Essence Magazine. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
- ^ "Lisa Cortés". 30th Anniversary Connecticut Women's Hall of Fame. 2024. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
- ^ "Lisa Cortés". The History Makers. 2013. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
- ^ Joyaux, Daniel (September 1, 2023). "His Presence Looms Large: Lisa Cortés on Little Richard: I Am Everything". Roger Ebert. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
- ^ Chan, Tim (November 11, 2023). "The New Little Richard Documentary Hits Streaming Services: Here's Where to Watch 'I Am Everything' Online". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
- ^ Penrice, Ronda Racha (April 21, 2023). "'LITTLE RICHARD: I AM EVERYTHING' DIRECTOR LISA CORTÉS BRINGS NEW DEPTH TO THE ICON". Ebony Magazine. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
- ^ Abele, Robert (November 30, 2023). "'Spirit, rhythm and swagger' highlight Little Richard documentary". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
- ^ France, Lisa Respers (September 3, 2023). "'Little Richard' filmmaker found a lesson in the late singer's spirited rock and roll life". CNN. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
- ^ Nawaz, Amna (July 1, 2023). "Lisa Cortés on her film exploring Little Richard's legendary rock'n'roll legacy". PBS. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
- ^ FINNERTY, KATHARINE (March 10, 2024). "National Geographic storytellers talk about breaking in to a male-dominated industry at SXSW". Spectrum News. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
- ^ "The Space Race: About the film". National Geographic documentary films. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
- ^ COYLE, JAKE (February 9, 2024). "Ed Dwight was to be the first Black astronaut. At 90, he's finally getting his due". The Associated Press. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
- ^ Smith, David (February 20, 2024). "'No one had done it before him': the groundbreaking stories of Black astronauts". The Guardian. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
- ^ Lowry, Brian (February 12, 2024). "'The Space Race' brings an out-of-this-world perspective to Black History Month". CNN. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
- ^ "Outstanding Documentary Or Nonfiction Special" (PDF). Television Academy Awards. 2020. Retrieved June 15, 2024.