Lisa Russell, MPH is an Emmy-winning filmmaker, Nicholl Fellowship QF Screenwriter, UN/NGO Artist Curator, 2x TEDx Speaker, Fulbright Specialist and Founder of Create2030 whose work lies at the intersection of arts, social justice and global development.

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FILMMAKER & SCREENWRITER

FOUNDER & CURATOR

SPEAKER

TEACHING ARTIST & WORKSHOP FACILITATOR

“IFC/World Bank Group x Create2030: UN’s International Year of Creative Economy for Sustainable Development”

A two-minute video curated, produced, narrated and edited for the June 2020 Sustainability Exchange.

“IMAGINE”: A Youth Anthem for #UN75

"Imagine" is a new song produced, performed, recorded, taped and edited all during the COVID-19 pandemic by Create2030 youth artists and is an anthem for how young people can reimagine a future in shaping institutions, such as the United Nations. The song first previewed during the UN's International Youth Day's podcast and the music video premiered during the UN75 Youth Plenary.

Featuring * Alien Child (Bali, Indonesia) * Sean Slaughter (Los Angeles, USA) * Zuhura the African Lioness (Dar es Salaam, Tanzania) * Javan the Poet (Nairobi, Kenya) * Ramya Raman (New York City, USA) * Kaila Mullady (New York City, USA) Director/Curator/Producer: Lisa Russell Musical Producer/Sound Mixing/Sound Mastering: Alien Child

"HEROINES OF HEALTH"

3 women. 3 countries. 3 stories untold. Until now.

"Heroines of Health", a new film by Emmy-winning filmmaker Lisa Russell and executive produced by GE Healthcare, provides an intimate look into the lives of three remarkable women  - Dr. Sharmila (India), Mercy (Kenya) and Mrs. Rohani (Indonesia) - who have overcome incredible challenges to become life saving forces in their communities as women in global health. 

#CREATE2030

"#Create2030" is a new advocacy video and create campaign produced with support of the UN's SDG Advocacy Group to engage artists in the SDGs.  It's mission is to recruit and mobilize socially conscious artists who are committed to using their talents for the social good around the Global Goals.  The film is narrated by Laolu with music by Ray Angry and features artists including Zap Mama, Toni Blackman, Bilal, Ivan Katz, Jared Green, Mari Malek, and others.

A Revolutionary Act

Lisa has entered the screenwriting world…

with her first screenplay entitled “A Revolutionary Act” and her TV episodic script “America’s TRC.”

Her script has received the following accolades:

• Academy Nicholl Fellowship in Screenwriting Quarterfinalist

• Sundance Episodic Lab 2nd Round

• Finalist, Hollywood Screenplay Contest

• Semi-Finalist, Big Apple Film Festival and Screenplay Competition

• Honorable Mention, Los Angeles Film and Script Festival

• Honorable Mention, Little Screenplay Competition

As Founder of Create2030, Lisa has been promoting the inclusion of working class artist in the UN/NGO space since the beginning of her career.

Lisa curates a variety of live and virtual creative events to bring audiences into a journey that combines emotion and messaging with a focus on impact. Some highlights include:

• ARTS x SDGS Festival, powered by Create2030

• Women Deliver Film Festival (since 2010, curated arts and film festivals in Washington, DC, USA, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Copehagen, Denmark and Vancouver, Canada)

• #UN75 Youth Plenary (curated international youth artists for production of a song and music video as well as other performances)

• IFC/World Bank Group Sustainability Exchange (curated creative elements for virtual conference)

• WHO x Create2030 COVID-19 Virtual Arts Gallery (curated artwork and designed virtual gallery)

• UN International Youth Day (curated live performances with youth poets set to the backdrop of an original score and edited montage of visual artwork submitted by youth)

• Launch of World Youth Report (curated live performances with youth DJs, poets, musicians, actors, filmmakers, and others.)

• And many more!

Lisa Russell is a regular speaker,

speaking at some of the leading UN/NGO gatherings, international conferences, and universities. Highlights include: TEDx Johnson & Johnson, TEDx Asbury Park, the first World Conference on Creative Economy (Bali, Indonesia), ISNTD Festival (London, UK), Switchpoint (North Carolina, USA), Unite for Sight Global Health and Innovation Conference (New Haven, CT), Women in Global Health Security Summit (Virtual) and others.

Her topics include:

• Narrative Justice: Responsible Storytelling in Global Health

• Changing the Narrative of Women and Girls

• Engaging Artists and Creatives to Elevate the SDGs

For a list of speaking engagements, please click here.

SDG Storytelling Masterclass with Pixar in a Box

Combining Emmy-winning filmmaker, Lisa Russell’s…

15+ years of expertise as a global health filmmaker with Pixar in a Box's interactive lessons, the SDG Storytelling Master Class provides participants with insight and activities on the craft of storytelling for the social good. From character development to story structure to finding and pitching projects, the Master Class helps participants explores solutions-focused and character-driven narratives that compel people to act for justice, health equity and human rights.   

“The young artists’ voices through their wonderful artistic preformances contributed greatly to the discussions and echoed the ideas, solutions and aspirations of young people for the future. I hope we can carry this partnership forward and will continue to work together in bringing the creative artistic voice to the work of the UN.“

- Jayathma Wickramanayake, UN Secretary-General's Envoy on Youth

"Lisa Russell's an excellent facilitator with a wealth of experience in filmmaking, storytelling, public health, and social justice causes. Taking her workshop taught me about building characters and crafting compelling stories in an ethical and responsible way. I left feeling inspired by the power of storytelling to shift narratives and move the needle on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals." 

- Fellow, Global Health Corps

"Lisa Russell is a phenomenal speaker and inspirational role model for these students who want to emulate her and combine filmmaking/media with social justice issues/causes. As usual, she attracts an enthusiastic large group that wants to speak with her individually after the plenary."

- Faculty Advisor, National Youth Leadership Forum on Digital Media, Film and Journalism

"Lisa Russell really empowered me with her speech. I loved the insight she provided and it really changed my views on a lot of issues today. Her work ethic is very inspiring and I hope one day if I work in that field I can have as much drive and passion as her."

- Student, National Youth Leadership Forum on Digital Media, Film and Journalism

"I want to thank you for all your work with us on the Town Hall event. Both performances were incredible, the steppers a lively and engaging start to the show and Sore's spoken word piece was hugely powerful.”

- Sarah Brown, Global Education Advocate and President, TheirWorld

HONORARY TITLES

• Emmy-award Winner for Boston/New England Regional Emmy’s for “Outstanding Advanced Interactivity Media” for her film, “Bi-Racial Hair”

• SheDecides Global Champion (she is the first creative professional annointed as a Champion”)

• FXB Youth Climate Advocates Board Member

• EarthxFilm Advisory Council Member

• Fistula Foundation: “Outstanding service in raising global awareness about victims of fistula”

Press:

• “The Art of Creating Amid a Global Catastrophe” - Heidi News/Geneva Solutions

• “How to Get Funding for a Film: Advice from Emmy-winning Filmmaker Lisa Russell” - Gobe Magazine

• “Speak Up Live: A Poetry & Spoken Word Experience” - TheaterMania

• “Using Film to Change the World with Lisa Russell” - The Meaning Movement Podcast

• “When a Film Becomes a LifeLine” - Pop Connect

• #Youth2015: young people unite at UN forum to shape future development agenda” - UN News

• “We see all the ugly in the world and try to make it beautiful” - UN Women

• “The Deeply Moving Video on Climate Change that All World Leaders Should See” - Slate

• “Using Mobile Phones to Tackle Fistula in Tanzania” - UNFPA

• “Youth Zones: Dealing with the Aftermath of Conflict or Natural Disasters” - UNFPA

• “Filmmaker Lisa Russell Wins Boston/New England Emmy Award for Bi-Racial Hair” - ITVS

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