SPOTLIGHT ON: BTS Panelist Lisa France
From Stunts to Spotlights: The Evolution of a Storyteller
AWD Icon Member Lisa France’s career is a masterclass in perseverance and reinvention. Over her 25+ years in the entertainment industry, she’s worked nearly every job imaginable—PA, camera operator, set decorator, 2nd AD, stunt performer. Her early gigs included working on Spike Lee’s He Got Game, The Summer of Sam, and The Sopranos, where she earned her stripes both behind and in front of the camera. These hands-on experiences became the foundation of her success as a filmmaker.
In 2003, France transitioned to directing with her first feature film Anne B. Real, which went on to win more than 40 awards globally, including two Independent Spirit Award nominations. Despite this acclaim, France—like many women, LGBTQ+, and BIPOC filmmakers—struggled to find consistent opportunities in a traditionally gatekept industry.
That changed when she discovered the story of Gabriel Cordell, a paraplegic man determined to roll across America in an unmodified wheelchair. Lisa, then on the verge of leaving filmmaking, was inspired to direct her first documentary, Roll With Me. Despite a tiny budget, the film was completed through a mix of grit, crowdfunding, and community support. The documentary went on to premiere at Woodstock and Slamdance, and was distributed by Ava DuVernay’s ARRAY Releasing. It wasn’t just a comeback—it was a turning point.
Creating Space and Telling Untold Stories
Lisa France is not just a filmmaker—she’s a storyteller with a mission. Her projects consistently elevate unheard voices and challenge outdated norms in Hollywood. From thrillers and holiday movies for Lifetime, OWN, and Hulu to her recent documentary The Herricanes—about the first women’s pro football league—France is dedicated to spotlighting marginalized communities.
That mission found its ultimate platform when she joined the directing team of Queen Sugar, Ava DuVernay’s groundbreaking series known for hiring only women and gender expansive directors. For France, the opportunity was life-changing. “I was scared shitless,” she recalls of directing her first episode during the pandemic. Yet, she rose to the occasion, delivering emotionally raw scenes that dealt with systemic racism, sexual identity, and personal grief. “When I’m directing,” she says, “I become a slave to the story. That’s when I’m most connected to the creative spirit.”
France describes DuVernay’s impact as revolutionary. “She gave each of us a piece of land and told us to farm it—and to teach another woman how to do the same.” That mentorship model has since blossomed into a powerful sisterhood of creatives, supporting and uplifting one another in an industry still slow to embrace true diversity.
As a queer filmmaker, France brings intentional representation to her work. “We just want what everybody else wants—to be seen and normalized.” She’s proud to incorporate LGBTQ+ themes and characters into her films and series and continues to push for more inclusive hiring behind the scenes.
A Life Rooted in Purpose—and Passion
Beyond her impressive resume, Lisa France is a passionate, curious, and deeply human artist. A former Division I basketball player who went pro in England, she holds degrees from Brooklyn College (Cum Laude) and The Ohio State University. She’s a proud member of the DGA, WGA and SAG-AFTRA.
Off the set, France is a world traveler, hiker, camper, pickleball player, food and wine geek, voice actor, and an unapologetic football fan. She’s also a Vipassana meditation student, holistic wellness enthusiast, and—perhaps most importantly—a devoted wife, daughter, and friend. “The best part of me is my wife, Lee,” she says.
Whether she’s directing difficult conversations onscreen or building community with other creatives, Lisa France remains anchored in one simple principle: serve the story. Her work reminds us that storytelling isn’t just entertainment—it’s a force for change, healing, and connection.
WANT MORE INSPIRATION?
Catch Lisa at our AWD ICONS PANEL on Saturday, September 27 at 3:45pm!
Don’t miss out - buy your tickets today!