Little Richard: I am Everything

LITTLE RICHARD: I AM EVERYTHING tells the story of the Black queer origins of rock n’ roll, exploding the whitewashed canon of American pop music to reveal the innovator – the originator – Richard Penniman.

Director Lisa Cortés’ Sundance opening night documentary is produced by Bungalow Media + Entertainment for CNN Films and HBO Max, in association with Rolling Stone Films. Through a wealth of archive and performance that brings us into Richard’s complicated inner world, the film unspools the icon’s life story with all its switchbacks and contradictions.

In interviews with family, musicians, and cutting-edge Black and queer scholars, the film reveals how Richard created an art form for ultimate self-expression, yet what he gave to the world he was never able to give to himself. Throughout his life, Richard careened like a shiny cracked pinball between God, sex and rock n’ roll. The world tried to put him in a box, but Richard was an omni being who contained multitudes – he was unabashedly everything. Directed by Lisa Cortés, LITTLE RICHARD: I AM EVERYTHING is produced by Robert Friedman, Cortés, Liz Yale Marsh and Caryn Capotosto and Executive Produced by Dee Rees. Music supervision by Jonathan Finegold.

Schedule:
6:00 PM: Doors & Concessions
7:00 PM: Screening Begins, with Q&A to follow

This screening will take place at BETHEL WOODS in the event gallery. Though this event is free, registration is required. Please be aware that because of limited capacity, registration will be limited to two tickets per order. Seating is first-come, first-served.

BEFF All-Access Pass Holders will also receive a special gift for attending!

Director Biography

Lisa Cortés is an Emmy-winning director and producer known for her innovative storytelling and commitment to amplifying diverse voices. Her recent work includes Little Richard: I Am Everything, which premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival and was acquired by Magnolia Films, as well as Invisible Beauty, a documentary about Black fashion industry pioneer Bethann Hardison. In 2022, her company, Cortés Filmworks, secured a first-look deal with Blue Ant Studios and a global development deal with the Museum of the City of New York for projects spanning food, social justice, and music genres. Lisa’s extensive career also includes directing and producing All In: The Fight For Democracy and producing the Emmy-winning HBO documentary The Apollo. She played a key role in the success of the Academy Award-winning film Precious and has earned over 80 international awards and nominations for her film productions. Lisa’s journey began in the music industry, working at Def Jam, Rush Artist Management, Mercury Records, and founding the Loose Cannon label.