Lisa Simmons began her artistic journey as a dancer, training at the prestigious Duke Ellington School for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. She later moved to London to further her studies at The Place, London Contemporary Dance School. However, an injury early in her training redirected her path, preventing her from continuing as a performer in her chosen discipline.
Determined to find another creative outlet, Lisa explored new artistic avenues. After many years of living and working in London, she returned to the Washington metropolitan area, uncertain of her next steps. A chance opportunity to work as a production assistant on a film set introduced her to the world of filmmaking. Immersed in the collaborative energy of production, she discovered a passion for storytelling through film. What began as curiosity quickly grew into a calling, leading her to pursue formal studies in the field—ultimately earning not one, but two degrees in film.
Reflecting on her transition from dancer to filmmaker, Lisa describes her artistic philosophy: “As a dancer, I was the movement. Now, I capture the movement. Filmmaking allows me to choreograph and direct motion through the lens, and in many ways, I am still dancing—just behind the camera.”
Lisa earned her BFA in Film and Video before continuing her studies at Howard University, where she completed her Master of Fine Arts in Film in December 2020. Her thesis film, HESS, received widespread recognition, earning numerous postgraduate accolades. In March 2021, the film was nominated for—and awarded—the prestigious Paul Robeson Student Awards for Best Director and Best Film, affirming her vision and talent as both a director and a filmmaker.