Filmmaker & Producer; Academy Award-Nominated Director; Founder of Cortés Filmworks; Known for "Precious" & "The Apollo"
Lisa Cortés Biography
Lisa Cortés is an Academy Award-nominated, Grammy-nominated, and two-time Emmy Award-winning filmmaker whose career spans music, film, and television. A graduate of Yale University with a degree in American Studies focused on Black literature, Cortés began her career at Def Jam, later working at Rush Producers Management and as an executive at Mercury Records. She contributed to launching artists such as Run DMC and the Beastie Boys and served as executive producer of the Academy Award-winning film "Precious," consistently using her platform to drive cultural change and highlight underrepresented voices in the entertainment industry.
After transitioning from the music industry to film, Cortés received an invitation from filmmaker Lee Daniels to collaborate on "Monster's Ball" in New Orleans. She subsequently joined Lee Daniels Entertainment, producing "Shadowboxer" and executive producing "Precious," which received the Sundance Audience Award and Grand Jury Prize for best drama, earned six Academy Award nominations, and won two. Following the success of "Precious," Cortés founded Cortés Filmworks, producing a diverse range of projects in film and television.
Cortés made her directorial debut with "The Remix: Hip Hop X Fashion," which examines the influence of street fashion and African American creativity on global culture. She directed the Emmy Award-winning HBO documentary "The Apollo," which explores African American cultural and political history through the story of the Apollo Theater. Cortés also directed "All In: The Fight for Democracy," a documentary addressing voter suppression and the work of Stacey Abrams. Through these projects, Cortés has become a prominent figure in documentary filmmaking, focusing on overlooked aspects of American history and social justice.
"Little Richard: I Am Everything" premiered as the opening night selection in the U.S. documentary competition at the Sundance Film Festival and was acquired by Magnolia Films. The film explores the Black queer origins of rock and roll and challenges the traditional narrative of American popular music, featuring interviews with Billy Porter, Mick Jagger, John Waters, Tom Jones, and others. For this work, Cortés received the Pioneer Award from the Black Film Critics Circle.
In "The Space Race," co-directed with Diego Hurtado de Mendoza, Cortés profiles pioneering Black pilots, scientists, and engineers at NASA, highlighting their contributions and the challenges they faced regarding racial equality. The National Geographic Documentary Film is available on Disney+ and Hulu and provides a narrative on the experiences of African Americans in the space program. Through Cortés Filmworks, Cortés continues to produce films that spotlight underrepresented voices and untold histories. She is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and regularly speaks on diversity in media and storytelling. Cortés has been recognized among the New York Women in Film & Television Muse Award honorees.
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How do I book Lisa Cortés to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Lisa Cortés for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Lisa Cortés, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Lisa Cortés or any other speaker of your choice. -
What are the speaker fees for Lisa Cortés
Speaking fees for Lisa Cortés, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Lisa Cortés are $10,000 - $20,000 for live events and under $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Lisa Cortés, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent. -
What topics does Lisa Cortés speak about?
Lisa Cortés is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Anti-Racism, Black Heritage, Culture, DEI, Diversity & Inclusion, Influential Women, Inspirational, Music, Social Activism, Storytelling, Television & Film, Women -
Where does Lisa Cortés travel from?
Lisa Cortés generally travels from New York, NY, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent. -
Who is Lisa Cortés’s agent?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Lisa Cortés for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Lisa Cortés for your next private or corporate function. -
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Lisa Cortés is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics. The estimated speaking fee range to book Lisa Cortés for your event is $10,000 - $20,000. Lisa Cortés generally travels from New York, NY, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Ruth E. Carter, dream hampton, MK Asante, Candice Vernon and Matthew Cherry. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Lisa Cortés for an upcoming live or virtual event.
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