Congratulations to WMM Board Member Lisa Cortés on receiving the 2026 Black Film Space Visionary Award, a special honor given to prominent Black filmmakers and leaders who shape the landscape of film and television! The BFS Awards take place on Sept. 20, from 1–5 PM.
A beloved member of the WMM community, Lisa has built a remarkable career as a director, producer, and executive producer. Her many acclaimed projects include LITTLE RICHARD: I AM EVERYTHING, which she directed, and INVISIBLE BEAUTY, which she produced — both made with support from WMM’s Production Assistance Program. LITTLE RICHARD: I AM EVERYTHING received the News & Documentary Emmy Award for Outstanding Arts and Culture Documentary in 2024.
Lisa also served as an executive producer — alongside fellow WMM Board Member Claire Aguilar — of ALL THE EMPTY ROOMS, winner of the 2026 Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Film. And in 2020, she won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special as a producer of the HBO documentary THE APOLLO.
We are thrilled to see Lisa’s work and contributions recognized with this award. Congratulations, Lisa!
