Award-Winning Producer & Director
Lisa Cortés: Biography at a Glance
- Lisa Cortés is an award-winning director and producer whose bold, explosive films include Little Richard: I Am Everything, which Variety called an enthralling documentary capturing how the singer’s starburst brilliance shifted the whole energy of the culture.
- Cortés’s latest film, The Space Race, is the gripping, never-before-told saga of African American astronauts at NASA and in space. Her credits also include the Emmy-winning HBO documentary, The Apollo, exploring African American cultural and political history through the story of the legendary Apollo Theater.
- In collaboration with Stacey Abrams, Cortés produced All In: The Fight For Democracy, which traces the violent history of the voting rights struggle.
- She first astounded the film world as executive producer of Academy Award®-winning Precious, the unprecedented story of Black girlhood in America that captured audience hearts from Port-au-Prince to Prague.
- At a time when women were severely marginalized in the music industry, Cortés broke into the nascent hip hop scene, rising to prominence as an A&R executive and eventually founding her own label at Polygram Records.
- Her multimedia production company, NYC-based Cortés Filmworks, develops and produces scripted and unscripted properties spanning music, social justice, crime, and other topics.
- From her Yale University degree in American Studies to her formative role at the inception of the legendary Def Jam hip hop label, Lisa’s expansive cultural toolkit makes her a sought-after speaker on topics including documentary film-making, race and social justice, leadership, and American culture.
Videos
Biography
Award-winning director and producer Lisa Cortés generates bold, explosive art that shines light on important stories hidden from view. From helping launch the revolutionary artists RUN-D.M.C. and the Beastie Boys to executive-producing the Academy Award®-winning film, Precious, Lisa sparks cultural change through works of unrivaled excellence.
Little Richard: I Am Everything (CNN Films), which she directed and produced, had its world premiere in January 2023 as the opening night selection in the US documentary competition at the Sundance Film Festival, where it was acquired by Magnolia Films. Also premiering at Sundance was Invisible Beauty, the documentary about Black fashion industry pioneer Bethann Hardison, which she produced. In June 2023, The Space Race (National Geographic Documentary Films), premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival. Cortés directed and produced this gripping saga of African American astronauts at NASA and in space.
In 2020, Cortés directed and produced All In: The Fight For Democracy (Amazon Studios), tracing the violent history of the voting rights struggle. Emmy-winning HBO documentary, The Apollo, which Cortés produced, explores African American cultural and political history through the story of the legendary Apollo Theater. Cortés executive-produced the break-through narrative feature Precious, which was nominated for six Academy Awards® and won two. The film received the Sundance Audience Award and Grand Jury Prize for best drama. Her film productions have received over 80 international awards and nominations.
Cortés launched her early career as a music executive at the iconic Def Jam label and Rush Artist Management; she also was VP of Artist & Repertoire at Mercury Records and founded the Loose Cannon label at Polygram Records. Cortés is a member of the Documentary Branch of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the Director’s Guild of America. She serves on the Boards of Film at Lincoln Center; Independent Television Services (ITVS); Yaddo, the celebrated artists’ community in Saratoga Springs; the Trajal Harrell Dance Company; Women Make Movies, and the DGA Focus on Women Committee.
CORTÉS FILMWORKS, a NYC-based multimedia production company founded by Lisa Cortés, develops and produces scripted and unscripted properties spanning music, social justice/crime, and other topics. Cortés Filmworks is committed to telling complex, powerful stories from new perspectives, and elevating talent often overlooked by the mainstream.
Topics
Finding Passion and Fulfillment Against the Odds
Filmmaker Lisa Cortés grew up in a world that offered a limited vision of what girls and
women — and Black girls in particular — could expect from their lives. In college, she
noticed many of her friends struggling with limits placed on their hopes and dreams,
whether due to race, class, gender, and sexuality, or parental expectations and cultural
norms.
How do we create our own definitions for success, and shape our lives for maximum
fulfillment? Mapping her journey from her first job — helping launch the planetary
phenomenon of hip-hop music — to her current career as an award-winning film director
and producer, Lisa shares the beliefs and practices that enabled her to mute the negativity
and rise far beyond the narrow roles the world assigned her. Audiences will feel inspired
and empowered to be the authors of their own life stories and connect with what matters to
them most, personally and professionally.
Creative Journeys: How Storytelling Chose Me
How do we engage with the histories and cultures that shape us? As a singer, record
executive, and award-winning filmmaker, Lisa Cortés has always lived on the cutting-edge
of culture and creativity. From covering Stevie Wonder to managing the Beastie Boys to
crafting renowned documentaries for HBO, Amazon Studios, and CNN Films, the
throughlines of her career have been consistent: A deep engagement with narratives of
Black life; a passion for elevating traditionally silenced voices; and a certainty that telling
stories is how we transform individual and collective consciousness.
Lisa excites and inspires audiences as she explores the alchemy of shaping complex and
challenging topics into compelling, emotionally resonant works of art that reach deep into
the hearts of diverse audiences.
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FAQs
How do I book Lisa Cortés for my event?
Contact CAA Speakers at (424) 288-2898 or speakers@caa.com to book Lisa Cortés to speak at corporate or private events, keynote speeches, speaking engagements, workshops, fireside chats, motivational speaking, or virtual appearances.
Quick booking process- Email CAA Speakers with event details
- Get availability confirmation within 24 hours
- Review speaking fee and contract terms
- Sign agreement and finalize logistics
As one of the most influential talent agencies in the world, CAA handles all speaking engagements from contract to event day coordination.
Who is Lisa Cortés's booking agent?
CAA Speakers is the preferred booking agency to contact for Lisa Cortés’s speaking engagements. Contact speakers@caa.com for all Lisa Cortés in-person appearances and keynote speaking requests.
Contact Lisa Cortés's agent- Email: speakers@caa.com
- Website: caa.com/caaspeakers
- Response: Within 24 hours
CAA Speakers can check Lisa Cortés's speaking calendar with direct access to availability and official pricing. While many websites may list Lisa Cortés, CAA Speakers is the direct source for authentic information about availability and pricing.
What is Lisa Cortés's speaking fee?
Lisa Cortés's speaking fee varies by event type, location, and requirements. As a top keynote speaker, Lisa Cortés's fee reflects their expertise and market demand.
Speaking fee factors:- Event type and audience size
- Travel distance and logistics
- Presentation length and customization
- Virtual vs. in-person delivery
Additional costs: Travel, accommodation, A/V requirements, and optional meet-and-greets.
Contact CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com for Lisa Cortés's current speaking fee and detailed cost breakdown.
How much does it cost to book Lisa Cortés as a keynote speaker?
The cost to book Lisa Cortés as keynote speaker includes their speaking fee plus travel and logistics expenses.
Total booking cost includes:- Lisa Cortés's keynote speaking fee
- Travel and accommodation
- Technical requirements and A/V setup
- Optional add-ons like book signing and meet & greets
- Virtual presentations
- Local/regional events
- Off-peak booking periods
- Flexible event dates
Email speakers@caa.com for Lisa Cortés's exact booking cost and customized pricing proposal.
How to contact Lisa Cortés for speaking engagements?
Contact CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com for all Lisa Cortés speaking engagements.
Official contact for Lisa Cortés bookings:- Email: speakers@caa.com
- Website: https://www.caa.com/caaspeakers/lisa-corts
- Response time: 24 hours
Include your event date, location, audience size, and budget when contacting CAA about booking Lisa Cortés.
Is Lisa Cortés available for virtual speaking events?
Yes, Lisa Cortés speaks at virtual events with professional-grade equipment and interactive presentation style.
Lisa Cortés's virtual event options:- Live virtual keynotes with Q&A
- Interactive workshops and breakouts
- Hybrid events (in-person + virtual)
- Pre-recorded presentations
Virtual events offer global reach, flexible scheduling, and reduced travel costs while maintaining Lisa Cortés's engaging presentation quality.
Contact CAA Speakers for Lisa Cortés's virtual event availability and technical specifications.
What events can I book Lisa Cortés for?
Book Lisa Cortés for corporate conferences, industry events, private functions, and virtual presentations. Lisa Cortés customizes content for any audience size or event type.
Event types:- Corporate meetings and conferences
- Industry summits and trade shows
- Private executive retreats
- Educational institution events
- Virtual and hybrid conferences
Lisa Cortés engages audiences from private executive meetings to large conferences with thousands of attendees.
Contact CAA Speakers to discuss how Lisa Cortés can customize their presentation for your specific event.
Lisa Cortés booking information and availability
Check Lisa Cortés's speaking availability through CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com. Book 3-6 months in advance for best date selection during peak seasons (September-November, March-May).
Availability factors:- Event date and location
- Speaking fee and budget
- Lead time for booking
- Peak conference seasons
- 3-6 months: Best availability
- 3-6 months: Best availability
- 2-3 months: Good availability
- 1-2 months: Select availability
- Under 30 days: Limited availability
Contact CAA early in your planning process to secure Lisa Cortés for your preferred event date.
Book Lisa Cortés keynote speaker through CAA
Book Lisa Cortés through CAA Speakers for guaranteed authentic representation and professional event coordination. CAA is the preferred booking agent for Lisa Cortés, with direct access to their speaking availability and decades of experience representing the world’s top keynote speakers.
CAA booking advantages:- Direct access to Lisa Cortés's calendar
- 24-hour availability confirmations
- Professional contract negotiation
- Full logistics coordination
- Industry-leading client service
Trusted by Fortune 500 companies for their most important speaking engagements. Contact speakers@caa.com to book Lisa Cortés for your next event.
Will Lisa Cortés speak at private events?
Yes, Lisa Cortés speaks at private corporate events, executive retreats, board meetings, and exclusive functions.
Private event types:- Executive retreats and board presentations
- Client entertainment and VIP gatherings
- Corporate celebrations and award ceremonies
- Private dinners and exclusive functions
Private event benefits: Customized content, enhanced interaction, complete confidentiality, and flexible scheduling.
Contact CAA Speakers for Lisa Cortés's private event availability and confidential pricing proposals.
How quickly will I get a response about booking Lisa Cortés?
CAA Speakers responds to Lisa Cortés booking inquiries within 24 hours during business days. Complex requests or international events may take up to 48 hours for detailed proposals.
Response timeline:- Initial acknowledgment: Within 24 hours
- Availability confirmation: 24-48 hours
- Detailed pricing proposal: 48-72 hours
- Urgent requests: Same-day priority response
Include complete event details (date, location, audience size, budget) for fastest response times.
How far in advance should I book Lisa Cortés?
Book Lisa Cortés 3-6 months in advance for best availability, especially during peak speaking seasons. Early booking ensures better date selection and rate negotiations.
Recommended booking timeline:- 3-6 months: Optimal availability and pricing
- 2-3 months: Good availability
- 1-2 months: Select availability
- Under 30 days: Limited availability
Peak seasons: September-November and March-May book fastest. Contact CAA Speakers early for priority consideration.
How do I get Lisa Cortés pricing information?
Get Lisa Cortés pricing information by contacting CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com with your event details. Receive detailed cost breakdown within 24-48 hours with no obligation to book.
For accurate pricing, include:- Event date and location
- Audience size and type
- Event format and duration
- Budget parameters
CAA provides transparent pricing with all costs included - speaking fee, travel, accommodation, and technical requirements.