Gabriela Cowperthwaite

Roles: Director

Gabriela Cowperthwaite has been directing documentaries and narrative films for over 20 years, rising to prominence with the 2013 release of Blackfish, which examined the plight of orcas and their trainers at SeaWorld. Blackfish quickly became one of the highest grossing documentaries of all time, amassing over 100 million viewers worldwide and helping to permanently change the captive industry. The film was shortlisted for an Academy Award and nominated for a BAFTA. Most recently, Gabriela completed ISS, a space station thriller starring Academy Award winner Arianna DeBose, scheduled for release in 2023. Her critically acclaimed 2020 film Our Friend, starring Casey Affleck, Dakota Johnson, and Jason Segel, told the story of a couple struggling through a cancer diagnosis. Megan Leavey, Gabriela’s narrative directorial debut, is based on the true life story of a Marine (Kate Mara), whose unique bond with her military dog saved many lives during their deployment in Iraq.

 

2023 Program(s):

The Grab

The Forum: Confronting Powerful Institutions