Brian Lilla, a renowned American documentary filmmaker, has made a significant impact in the industry with his thought-provoking and visually stunning films.
Lilla's journey in filmmaking began with his short film, Twenty To Life, which was showcased in 1999 and featured raw super-8 footage of skateboarding in empty pools. This early work would later gain recognition at the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival, where it was nominated for best documentary short. His subsequent film, Tale Of Two Bondage Models, also received critical acclaim.
From 2009 to 2011, Lilla directed Patagonia Rising, a documentary that delved into the potential environmental consequences of building five large dams in Patagonia, Chile. The film received widespread recognition at various film festivals and was eventually released on Netflix, The Discovery Channel, and other international television outlets. Its success led to a significant impact on the Chilean government's decision not to build the proposed dams in 2013.
In 2017, Lilla released Ballroom Confidential, a feature-length documentary that explored the themes of aging, loss, and the healing powers of ballroom dancing. This intimate portrayal of the human experience resonated with audiences and further solidified Lilla's reputation as a masterful storyteller.
Lilla's most recent project, Children Of The Vine, is a multi-year investigation into the health impacts of Monsanto's herbicide Roundup. This groundbreaking documentary is slated for release in 2022 and promises to shed new light on a pressing global issue.
Throughout his career, Lilla has remained committed to his craft, using his platform to raise awareness about important social and environmental issues. He currently resides in Napa, California with his wife and two children, and is focused on his latest project, Garbage & Greed: Trashed In Napa Valley.
