Bienvenidos a Los Angeles

Inspired by true events and shot on location at LAX airport, "Bienvenidos a Los Angeles" tells the timely story of Imani, a Nigerian single-mother living in Los Angeles, who offers to help a perfect stranger reunite with her son. In doing so, Imani learns this simple act of kindness threatens to jeopardize her own path to citizenship.

California-born & Arkansas-bred, Lisa Cole is a writer-director-producer, whose work amplifies underrepresented voices and exposes social injustices. She co-wrote “Diamond Girls” with Selena Gomez attached to star, and “Queen of Newburgh” Final Draft Fellow/Stowe Story Labs, and Second Rounder, Sundance Development Track 2022, with Trinidad director Maya Cozier ("She Paradise") attached. Lisa’s screenplay, “Girl Named Sue” won the Page International Screenplay contest and is in development with acclaimed producers Laura Bickford & Nathan Ross (also Jean-Marc Vallee, until he suddenly passed away last year).

Lisa’s background includes living with 201 host families in 12 countries in the span of three years. She's directed documentaries for The Gates Foundation, Sundance Institute, Viacom, BET & A&E, including films highlighting women’s health and safety in the DRC and Kenya. Accolades include Regional Finalist Student Academy Awards; 'Rock Doc of the Year' LA Music Awards; Winner of the Page International Screenplay Contest, and 2x Cine Qua Non Lab Fellow. Her award-winning short film “Shipwreck” screened in 40+ festivals including, 2021 Official Selection, Diversity in Cannes Short Film Showcase. A graduate of Loyola Marymount University, School of Cinema & Television, Lisa serves on the Board of the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival and resides in Los Angeles with documentary filmmaker Mark Monroe and their two children.