our honored guests
David Alvarado, Director & Producer
We are honored to host the award-winning director behind some of the most celebrated documentaries of the last decade. David Alvarado (Director/DP) is a master of the human narrative and an award-winning documentary filmmaker who brings to life compelling stories of trailblazers in science, the arts, and human rights.
Driven by his passion for impactful storytelling, David pursued an MFA from Stanford University's prestigious Documentary Film and Video Production program. David's work as Director/Producer/Cinematographer includes four feature documentaries: "The Immortalists" (2014), "Bill Nye: Science Guy" (2017), "Blood Sugar Rising" (2020), and "We Are As Gods" (2022). He's also directed and produced PBS's NOVA series with "Who's in Control" (2023) and "Secrets in Your Data" (2024), as well as produced Independent Lens’ three-part series “Matter of Mind” (2023-2025).
A decade-long member of NALIP, David is a Chicano filmmaker and the son of an immigrant who has dedicated his career to his healthy obsession with making the world a more thoughtful place through the power of documentary storytelling.
This is a rare opportunity to sit across from the creator and discuss the five-year journey of bringing American Pachuco to life, the nuances of the Oscar® qualification process, and the future of independent storytelling.
Lauren DeFilippo, Producer
Lauren is a documentary filmmaker and partner at Insignia Films based in in New York City and Stockholm. Her work spans archival deep dives to intimate vérité storytelling, and her films have premiered at Sundance, TIFF, Slamdance, and SXSW, and stream on platforms including PBS, Netflix, and Hulu.
A graduate of Stanford's MFA in Documentary Film, named to DOC NYC's "40 Under 40," and a Sundance fellow, Lauren is drawn to visionaries the mainstream hasn't caught up to yet—and to stories unfolding beneath the surface before the rest of the world takes notice.
Beyond the screen
Experience the Best of Cinema at The Film Lounge Film Festival
Prepare to be wowed by a lineup of award-winning films from around the world at The Film Lounge Film Festival. Our selection of movies includes everything from gripping dramas to hilarious comedies and everything in between. You'll also have the opportunity to attend Q&A sessions with filmmakers and actors, attend workshops and panel discussions, and participate in interactive activities related to the films.
