Lisa Cole

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.

Format: Scripted Features, Scripted Episodic, Scripted Shorts, Unscripted Episodic, Unscripted Features, Unscripted Shorts

Genre: Coming of Age, Documentary, Drama, Family, Historical, LGBTQ+, People of Color, Refugees, Social Justice, True Story, Women, Youth, African, Black

Location: Los Angeles, California, United States

Oscar-Shortlisted, Best Short Drama, 96th Academy Awards, 2024

Winner, Diversity in Cannes Short Film Showcase sponsored by Viola Davis, 2023

Winner, Page International Screenwriting Awards, 2015

Nicholl's Quarter-Finalist

Best Short Documentary, Newport Beach Film Festival