Today we’d like to introduce you to Joslyn Rose Lyons.
Hi Joslyn Rose, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I studied film production and film theory at California College of the Arts and UC Berkeley. During my studies, I worked at an Emmy Award-winning production company on projects for Discovery Channel, MSNBC, PBS, and that’s when I started producing my first documentary Soundz of Spirit, explored the creative process and spiritual connection in Hip Hop with artists including Saul Williams, Common, Cee-Lo Green, KRS-1, among others. The film premiered at HBO Urbanworld, London’s Raindance, and won Best Music Documentary at the New York.
I’ve always had a passion for music and exploring the creative process, so it was a natural progression for me to direct and produce content for BET, including Rap City with Wu-Tang Clan, the first Music Matters Grammy Showcase at Creative Artists Agency with PJ Morton, and Mack Wilds, and BET Awards Celebrity Basketball with Nick Cannon, Chris Brown, Angela Yee, Trevor Jackson, Lil Rey Howery, Victor Oladipo, Michael Smith, and Jemele Hill, .
My work in music television led me to directing a number of music videos including Cold Rain for Talib Kweli which was named the #1 video on MTV.com, The Majors for prince ALI (aka Academy Award Winning Actor Mahershala Ali) featuring Hieroglyphics and Souls of Mischief debuting on BET, numerous music videos for Bay Area legends E-40 and Too $hort, and music specials including ‘Beautiful’ with Mali Music featuring Brely Evans, Robbi Reed, and Wendy Raquel Robinson, and SEABS for Apple Music with Vince Staples.
I have always been inspired by the intersection of art and social justice, spirituality and the creative process. My first short film starred Academy Award-winning actor Mahershala Ali and won at the Link TV: One Nation, Many Voices Muslim American Film Competition. I directed and produced Imagine Justice with Academy Award-winning actor/rapper Common and his Imagine Justice organization, which is dedicated to empowering communities and fighting injustice.
I served as a producer on Speaking Truth to Power (Lionsgate/STARZ), which featured Barbara Lee, Ayanna Presley, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Alice Walker, Van Jones, Cory Booker, and Danny Glover, winning Outstanding Documentary at the 2022 NAACP Image Awards, in which I teamed with #TakeTheLead, STARZ’s commitment to amplifying narratives by, about and for women and underrepresented audiences.
My short film Looking Glass was positively received, premiering at Sundance London, picking up numerous awards including The American Film Awards and TopShorts Best Female Director. My short starring Hill Harper and J. Alphonse Nicholson picked up Best Director Award at the 7th edition of LA independent Women Film Awards.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Pressure makes the diamond, friction forms the pearl. So it’s all needed in order to make great work. So often the resistance is a sign that you are on the right path. One of my favorite books, “The Big Leap” goes into this concept in order to take that big leap from your excellent zone to your genius zone. The Genius zone for me is a place of alignment, it’s just being in the flow. It takes courage to create. We sometimes have to let go of things in order to make room for this process to unfold.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I believe our job as storytellers is much like that of the ancient wisdom keeper, there is great medicine in our stories. Cinema speaks that universal language, it surpasses time and can elevate the mind. I believe my job as a storyteller is to be a vessel, a clear channel for these messages to come through.
I am honored to be the director of the documentary feature film entitled STAND for SHOWTIME on Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf. The documentary film features exclusive interviews with several basketball and entertainment stars including Stephen Curry, Shaquille O’Neal, Jalen Rose, Mahershala Ali, Steve Kerr, and Ice Cube. We are still in post production. Showtime Sports Documentary Films is set to release the documentary feature in early 2023.
I am honored to be a 2022 finalist in the Academy Gold Fellowship for Women, from the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences. This program has been incredible and is truly led by a team of visionaries.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Prayer, Patience, and Persistence. I think all three of these qualities are key. Another quality in success is courage, it takes great courage to create. I love this quote by 2PAC: “I’m not saying I’m gonna change the world, but I guarantee that I will spark the brain that will change the world.” That’s what I would want my films to do, to be that spark for change. My work is inspired by seeking the light, the light is needed to illuminate the path within, and the journey ahead.
Joslyn Rose Lyons is represented by Creative Artists Agency and she is a member of the Alliance of Women Directors.
Contact Info:
- Website: Itsjoslynrose.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/
itsjoslynrose
Image Credits
Byron Malik Faith Auon
