Biography

Reuben Atlas creates films that move across worlds. As a producer and director, he makes sense of controversy, uplifts communities, and shines an honest optimism on our humanity. Early on, nomadic workplaces guided him: a Cuban newspaper, Legal Aid, an avant-garde jazz collective, a maximum-security prison, a windsurfing beach, and an entertainment law firm; before making his debut feature documentary, "Brothers Hypnotic", about Chicago’s Hypnotic Brass Ensemble. It premiered at SXSW, aired on PBS Independent Lens, was distributed (with a vinyl soundtrack) by Factory 25, and also featured Damon Albarn, Mos Def, and Prince(!).

He directed (with Jerry Rothwell) for Netflix and Arte, "Sour Grapes", a true story about fake wine, which was also released theatrically by Dogwoof, and stayed in the cultural conversation, becoming a Jeopardy! question. He produced & directed (with documentary luminary, and frequent Spike Lee collaborator, Sam Pollard) ACORN & The Firestorm, about the take down of the impactful grassroots organization, which premiered at the Tribeca film festival and on PBS.

Selected for DOCNYC's inaugural 40 Under 40 list, and as an Impact Partners Producing Fellow, other highlights include producing the Netflix Original, Bill Russell Legend, about the basketball icon; co-producing the STARZ film, Bring Them Back, about dancer Maurice Hines, and the Emmy-winning NY Times Op-doc, Atencion! Murderer Next Door. He's worked with Lebron James’ SpringHill Company, the ACLU, The New Yorker, Pitchfork, and Fader Magazine; and received support from Sundance, ITVS, Gucci/Tribeca, Black Public Media, IDA Pare Lorentz Fund, NYSCA and many many friends, mentors, and collaborators.

In 2025, he directed (with Santi Aquado) & executive produced, Seras Farruquito, about the famous flamenco dancer, premiering at the Festival De Sevilla and DOCNYC. It premiered theatrically in Madrid in 2026.
- IMDb mini biography by: Reuben Atlas