About — Lezra Films

Nathaniel Lezra has directed and produced award winning work in the longform documentary, narrative, and commercial spaces. His creative focus is on telling humanist stories that illuminate extreme experiences outside the conventions of contemporary culture.

In 2023, he served as director and executive producer of Don't Leave Me Behind: Stories of Young Ukranian Survival, a feature documentary special for MTV and Paramount. Shot on location in Poland and at the Ukrainian border, the film is an examination of the fears and resiliencies within a group of teenage Ukrainian refugees fleeing combat. The film is now available for streaming on Paramount+ and viewable via broadcast services worldwide.

His latest documentary feature titled Roads of Fire recently won Best Documentary Feature at the 40th Santa Barbara International Film Festival. An examination of the migration crisis in the western hemisphere, the film tells the stories of an asylum seeker in NYC, a human smuggler in Colombia, and the humanitarian organizations on the frontlines. It was shot entirely on location using a verité cinematic approach, bringing the filmmakers into the heart of Gulf Cartel controlled regions of Colombia.

He has directed and produced commercial work for brands Ilegal Mezcal, the NY Giants, Jagermeister, Universal Music Group, California Closets, 1800 Tequila, Converse, and more.

He is based in New York City and Los Angeles.

PRESS

DON’T LEAVE ME BEHIND: STORIES OF YOUNG UKRAINIAN SURVIVAL

CBS Mornings

https://www.cbsnews.com/video/nathaniel-lezra-on-his-new-mtv-documentary-highlighting-the-lives-of-young-ukrainian-refugees/

CBS News
https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/dont-leave-me-behind-documentary-about-ukrainian-teenage-refugees-premieres-tonight-on-mtv/

CNN
https://archive.org/details/CNNW_20230220_150000_CNN_Newsroom/start/2580/end/2640

ROADS OF FIRE

OVERLY HONEST REVIEWS

“In a time when conversations around migration are frequently shaped by political rhetoric, ROADS OF FIRE arrives as a necessary counterpoint. It doesn't just document; it challenges audiences to reconsider their perspectives and engage with these issues personally. By stripping away political bias and focusing on the human experience, the film serves as both an urgent call to awareness and a testament to the resilience of those seeking a better future.”

https://mailnewsgroup.com/ohmr/unveiling-the-faces-behind-migration/

SPECTRUM NEWS 1 - YOUR MORNING Broadcast Interview

https://spectrumnews1.com/ca/southern-california/human-interest/2025/02/11/roads-of-fire-documentary-your-morning

KEYTV - Broadcast Interview

https://keyt.com/lifestyle/events/sbiff/2025/02/06/timely-documentary-exploring-global-migration-crisis-to-premiere-at-santa-barbara-international-film-festival/

Latino Review Media - Radio Interview with Nancy Tapia

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kw3xFxjcuD4

NEWSBREAK - Interview

https://www.newsbreak.com/misty-schwartz-1639364/3801744545924-nathaniel-lezra-s-roads-of-fire-a-migration-documentary?s=ws_em

DEADLINE

https://deadline.com/2025/01/santa-barbara-film-festival-2025-lineup-1236259978/

YAHOO NEWS!