LISA COLE
WRITER + DIRECTOR
Lisa Cole is an award-winning writer/director whose work is shaped by living with 201 host families across 12 countries. Her global perspective is evident in her 2024 Oscar-Shortlisted short film, "Bienvenidos a Los Angeles," inspired by a true immigration story. Screened at over 70 festivals, it's now streaming on Kanopy and other platforms. Lisa specializes in adapting true stories exploring gender, neglect, and redemption. Current projects include "Diamond Girls," a feature film with Selena Gomez and producer Laura Bickford, and "Filthy," a Sundance Development Lab Finalist. Her portfolio includes documentaries for Viacom, A&E, & BET, and films for The Gates Foundation and Sundance Institute, focusing on women's health and safety in Kenya and DR Congo.
A fellow with Final Draft/Stowe Story Labs, Women in Film, Athena Lab, and Cine Qua Non, Lisa's work has gained support from Cinetic Media and Endeavor Content. She's collaborated with Jean-Marc Vallee, Laura Dern, Demi Moore, Lily Rabe, Shailene Woodley, and Catherine Hardwicke, and received the Kodak Access Grant.
A Loyola Marymount University graduate and Regional finalist in the Student Academy Awards, Lisa serves on the board of the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, two children and five pets. Yes, five.
FUN FACTS ABOUT LISA
She lived with 201 host families in 12 countries in a span of 3 years.
Lisa dreams of owning a Mezcal brand and believes she must have Latin ancestry, although 23andme and Ancestry.com both claim she has none.
Her first job was serving beer at age 12 at a hotel pool bar In Arkansas.
She breastfed her adopted infant daughter for fifteen months much to the bewilderment of medical professionals, who really should know better.