Biography

CJ Russo is an award-winning Director-Producer of the critically acclaimed feature documentary, "Lady Buds." The film opened theatrically and on demand November 2021 after a robust festival run, and premiered on Starz March 2022 to rave reviews securing 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. CJ earned a 2021 CLIO Award for Best Direction for the "Lady Buds" trailer and has two spin-offs in development - "Mama Sue," a docuseries following the inspiring life journey of septuagenarian entrepreneur Sue Taylor with Village Roadshow, and a scripted feature version of the documentary film with Hellcat.

CJ's award-winning short films have screened all over the world, including the Sundance Film Festival, and have been broadcast on Showtime, PBS, IFC, LOGO and Netflix. She's a 2018 fellow of the Sundance Institute/Women In Film Financing Intensive with "Lady Buds," and is also a fellow of Film Independent's Director and Screenwriters Labs, with her project, "Directed By Dorothy Arzner." Notable short film credits include, "A Woman Reported," about the moments before a hate crime occurs; "Size 'em Up," a coming of age story; and "Straight Down The Aisle: Confessions of Lesbian Bridesmaids," winner of the Outfest Best Short Documentary Award for its poignant view on marriage non-equality (pre-Prop 8).

Upon receiving two art degrees in Photography - a BFA from the University of Buffalo and MFA from the Visual Studies Workshop in Rochester, NY - Russo moved to Hollywood and worked with cinematographers in her role at Kodak, and as a Post Production Supervisor on over 15 feature films. Russo is also an exhibited fine art photographer, with recent group shows in Los Angeles, West Hollywood and Beverly Hills.
- IMDb mini biography by: Chris J. Russo