Lucy Walker

Lucy Walker is best known for directing four feature documentaries: DEVIL’S PLAYGROUND (2002), BLINDSIGHT (2006), WASTE LAND (2010) and COUNTDOWN TO ZERO (2010). COUNTDOWN TO ZERO, a terrifying exposé of the threat of nuclear terrorism and proliferation, premiered at Sundance and screened in the Cannes Official Selection. WASTE LAND is the story of Brazilian artist Vik Muniz and a lively group of catadores, or scavengers, who find a way from the world's largest garbage dump in Rio to the most prestigious auction house in London. It is the first film to win the Audience Awards at Sundance and Berlin, as well as at Full Frame and Seattle. Walker is also the first filmmaker to have won the Berlin Award twice, including the audience award for BLINDSIGHT. The film received , nominated for Best Documentary Grierson Awards, British Independent Film Awards; and short-listed for the Academy Award. BLINDSIGHT follows the ill-fated journey of six blind Tibetan teenagers climbing Everest. DEVIL'S PLAYGROUND, which premiered at Sundance 2002, examined the struggles of Amish teenagers during their rumspringa. It won multiple festival awards, three Emmy nominations and an Independent Spirit nomination. Walker grew up in London, England. After directing theater and graduating from Oxford University with First Class Honors in Literature she won a Fulbright to attend NYU’s Graduate Film Program, where she earned her MFA, directed short fiction films, and moonlighted as a musician.