Gabriela Cowperthwaite

Gabriela Cowperthwaite, an American filmmaker, has established a reputation for directing both documentaries and feature films. Her experience spans producing, editing, writing, and directing for television and documentary films. Notably, she directed "Blackfish" (2013), a film that earned a BAFTA nomination for Best Documentary and premiered at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival. "Blackfish" led to significant changes in SeaWorld's treatment of orcas, a phenomenon known as "The Blackfish Effect."

Cowperthwaite also directed the 2017 feature film "Megan Leavey," based on true events about a corporal in the U.S. Marine's K9 unit. In 2019, she directed "Our Friend," featuring Casey Affleck, Dakota Johnson, and Jason Segel. Her recent work includes the 2022 documentary "The Grab" and the 2023 feature film "I.S.S." She has also worked on documentary programs for platforms such as National Geographic, ESPN, Animal Planet, The History Channel, and Discovery Channel.

Cowperthwaite's documentary "City Lax: An Urban Lacrosse Story" won the July prize for Best Documentary and the Audience Award at the Sonoma International Film Festival in 2010. She has also received an honorary degree from Occidental College.

In addition to her work in film, Cowperthwaite is an advocate for animal rights and environmental causes, regularly participating in speaking engagements and using her platform to inspire social change. Her ability to bring underreported stories to light has solidified her reputation as a director who pushes the boundaries of traditional filmmaking to create conversations that matter.