# Dylan Verrechia

Dylan Verrechia (born March 9, 1976, in Paris) is a Barthélemois award-winning film director, auteur, screenwriter, director of photography, and producer, with Italian, Breton, Sephardic, and Dane origins. He is best known for his Tijuana trilogy: Tijuana Makes Me Happy, Tierra madre, and La Pura Vida, which won him among many other accolades the Grand Jury Prize at Slamdance, the Special Jury Award for Best Mexican Film at Morelia International Film Festival, Best Mexican Feature Award at Rosarito Film Festival, and for his documentary Kumeyaay Land which won Best Documentary Award at the Red Nation Film Festival. Verrechia is a U.S. citizen, and his films look particularly at Baja California, Mexico, where he lives.

## Early life

Verrechia grew up in Saint Barthélemy, French West Indies. His early years were punctuated by periods of extreme pain due to his ankylosing spondylitis. At age 12, he was sent to Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital in Paris, France. Bedridden for over 4 years, he started correspondence courses from the National Centre for Distance Education. After the national service, Verrechia studied Cinema at Paris Nanterre University taught by Jean Rouch from la Cinémathèque française. He graduated with honors in Film & TV from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, and became soon after a U.S. citizen.

## Career

Verrechia is a director of Mexican cinema, and his films have won awards at festivals worldwide.
Over a period of twenty years, he directed the Tijuana trilogy: Tijuana Makes Me Happy won the Grand Jury Prize for Best Narrative Feature at Slamdance Film Festival, the Indie Max Award for Best Feature Film at San Antonio Film Festival, and screened at CECUT Tijuana Cinematheque. Tierra Madre won the Jury Honorable Mention for Best Mexican Feature Film at Morelia International Film Festival, Best Narrative Feature at Reeling: The Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Festival, Diversity Award for Best Feature Film at Barcelona LGTIBQ+ Film Festival, Outstanding Achievement in Foreign Feature Award at Williamsburg International Film Festival, Cinesul Award for Best Picture at Cinesul Ibero-Americano Film Festival, Golden Palm for Best Feature Film at Mexico International Film Festival, Honorary Mention at New Jersey Film Festival, and Silver Lei for Best Feature and Excellence in Filmmaking at Honolulu Film Festival. La Pura Vida was officially selected at Harlem International Film Festival, Festival Mix Mexico, and El Ojo Cojo Film Festival, won Best Mexican Feature at Rosarito Film Festival, the Honorable Mention for Best International Narrative Feature at the Williamsburg International Film Festival, Best Self-Funded Film at Cine Pobre Film Festival, Best Feature Film at Paris Art & Movie Awards, and Best Film About Women at New York International Women Festival.
Verrechia's documentaries Kumeyaay Land received the Red Nation Film Award of Excellence for Best Documentary Short at the Red Nation Film Festival, the Environmental, Social, Economic, Political Justice Award for Indigenous America at Latino & Native American Film Festival, the Honorable Mention for Best Mexican Documentary at Shorts México, and Kids of the Majestic won Best Feature Children's Advocacy at Artivist Film Festival & Awards, and Directing and Writing Insight Awards of Recognition at the National Association of Film and Digital Media Artists . The Laughter of God won the IFCT World Tour Awards for Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Cinematography.
Verrechia is the co-founder of Troopers Films (Arakimentari directed by Travis Klose on Nobuyoshi Araki with Björk and Beat Takeshi, Audience Award for Best Documentary at Brooklyn Film Festival), of Palenque Filmaciones (Sangre de mi sangre directed by Christopher Zalla, Grand Jury Prize for Best Dramatic at Sundance Film Festival), and of 25th Frame (Picture Me) directed by Sara Ziff, Audience Award for Best Documentary at Milan International Film Festival).

## Verrechia Films LLC

Verrechia Films LLC has offices in its townhouse in Brooklyn, NY. The company collaborated on films such as BlackCard directed by Pete Chatmon with Dorian Missick, Simone Missick and Hisham Tawfiq (Black Lives Matter Award at Diversity in Cannes, acquired by HBO), Sega directed by Idil Ibrahim with Alassane Sy (Best Narrative at BlackStar Film Festival, acquired by Canal +), The Weinstein Company presents Rosewood Hotels & Resorts with Verrechia's niece Tessa Gräfin von Walderdorff and Barron Nicholas Hilton II, ABCD: American-Born Confused Desi (2013 film) directed by Martin Prakkat, 2B (film) directed by Rich Kroehling with James Remar and Kevin Corrigan, participated on documentaries 499 (film) directed by Rodrigo Reyes (Golden Frog for Best Docudrama at Camerimage), The Price We Pay directed by Harold Crooks, Anthrax War directed by Bob Coen, Storytelling (film) directed by Todd Solondz with Selma Blair, Paul Giamatti and John Goodman, conducted interviews with people such as Akebono Taro, Hillary Clinton, Tiger Hattori, Henry Kissinger, and The Rolling Stones, and on the making of music videos with artists Wu-Tang, Kanye West, Rihanna, Paul McCartney, Plies, Rae Sremmurd, Migos, Thieves Like Us (band), Von Haze, Nortec Collective, and The Calling. With the financial proceeds of his work, Verrechia bought the property "Casa Kurrak" in Baja California, and went on to create the Festival de Cine del Valle de Guadalupe.

## Filmography

| Year | Title | Director | Writer | Producer | Cinematographer |
| 2000 | The Laughter of God | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| 2000 | Payaso Hijueputa de Andrés Baiz | No | No | Yes | No |
| 2001 | The Making of Bamboozled by Spike Lee & Sam Pollard | No | No | No | Yes |
| 2001 | Storytelling (film) by Todd Solondz (doc) | No | No | No | Yes |
| 2004 | Arakimentari by Travis Klose | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| 2007 | Tijuana Makes Me Happy | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| 2007 | Sangre de mi sangre by Chris Zalla | No | No | Yes | No |
| 2009 | 2B (film) by Richard Kroehling | No | No | No | Yes |
| 2009 | Anthrax War by Bob Coen | No | No | No | Yes |
| 2009 | Kids of the Majestic | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 2010 | Tierra madre | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 2012 | American Florence by Alessio Giorgetti | No | No | No | Yes |
| 2012 | The Warrior and the Savior by Sal Sorrentino | No | No | No | Yes |
| 2012 | Mansome by Morgan Spurlock | No | No | No | Yes |
| 2013 | ABCD: American-Born Confused Desi (2013 film) by Martin Prakkat | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| 2013 | I Want To Be an American | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 2014 | The Price We Pay (2014 film) by Harold Crooks | No | No | No | Yes |
| 2014 | The Alley Cat by Marie Ullrich | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| 2015 | Henry Kissinger's Secret Negotiations | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| 2015 | BlackCard by Pete Chatmon | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| 2015 | The Act of Writing with Futura (graffiti artist) | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| 2015 | Homecoming by Seko Shamte | No | No | No | Yes |
| 2016 | The Rolling Stones: Exhibitionism | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| 2017 | A Seed of Maize by Topaz Adizes | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| 2017 | The Weinstein Company presents Rosewood Hotels & Resorts | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 2018 | Sega by Idil Ibrahim | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| 2021 | Maya and Her Lover by Nicole Sylvester | No | No | No | Yes |
| 2023 | Kumeyaay Land | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 2024 | La Pura Vida | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 2025 | Pégame | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |

## Awards

* Special Jury Award for Best Mexican Feature Film at Morelia International Film Festival,
* Grand Jury Prize for Best Narrative Feature at Slamdance Film Festival,
* Red Nation Film Award of Excellence for Best Documentary Short Subject at Red Nation Film Festival,
* Best Feature Drama at Author Film Festival,
* Honorable Mention for Best International Narrative Feature Film at Williamsburg International Film Festival,
* Best Mexican Feature at Rosarito Film Festival,
* Honorable Mention for Best Mexican Documentary at Shorts México,
* Environmental, Social, Economic, Political Justice Award for Indigenous America at Latino & Native American Film Festival,
* Best Original Score at Filmmaker Chicago Awards,
* Silver Award for Best Director at International Gold Awards,
* Silver Award for Best Producer at International Gold Awards,
* Silver Awards for Best Actress at International Gold Awards,
* International Gold Awards for Best Original Score at International Gold Awards,
* Best Self-Funded Film at Cine Pobre Film Festival,
* Kurrak Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature at Festival de Cine del Valle de Guadalupe,
* Kurrak Rama de Oro for Best Screenplay at Festival de Cine del Valle de Guadalupe,
* Kurrak Rama de Oro for Best Actress at Festival de Cine del Valle de Guadalupe,
* Kurrak Rama de Oro for Best Original Music at Festival de Cine del Valle de Guadalupe,
* Kurrak Rama de Oro for Best Supporting Actor at Festival de Cine del Valle de Guadalupe,
* Jury Prize for Best Women Emancipation at Prague Underground Film Festival,
* Festival Award for Best Actor in a Feature Film at Santa Cruz Independent Film Festival,
* Festival Award for Best Actress in a Feature Film at Santa Cruz Independent Film Festival,
* Certificate of Appreciation for Best Feature Film at Islampur International Film Festival,
* Outstanding Achievement Award for Best Narrative Feature at Luis Buñuel Memorial Awards,
* Best Comedy/Dark Comedy at Tabriz Cinema Awards,
* Best Feature Film at Brazil International Film Festival,
* Jury Prize for Best Feature Film at David Film Festival,
* Jury Prize for Best Actress at David Film Festival,
* Jury Prize for Best Actor at David Film Festival,
* Best Narrative Feature at New York Arthouse Film Festival,
* Jury Prize for Best Feature at Europa Film Festival,
* PAMA Award for Best Feature Film at Paris Art & Movie Awards,
* Best Acting Ensemble at Sacramento Independent Film Festival,
* Jury Prize for Best Narrative Feature at Brandenburg International Film Festival,
* Jury Prize for Best Actress at Brandenburg International Film Festival,
* Best International Narrative Feature at Calcutta International Cult Film Festival,
* Best Film About Women at New York International Women Festival,
* Jury Prize for Best Narrative Feature at Phuket International Film Festival,
* Honorable Mention for Best Narrative Feature at The Great Britain Silver Screen Awards,
* Best Feature Film at AIMAFF Athens International Art Film Festival,
* Jury Prize for Best Narrative Feature at Hong Kong International Festival,
* Best Actress at Stockholm City Film Festival,
* Best Feature Film at Stockholm City Film Festival,
* Best Director at Stockholm City Film Festival,
* Best Feature Film at London Independent Film Awards,
* Sweden Film Award for Best Feature Film at Sweden Film Awards,
* Sweden Film Award for Best Actress at Sweden Film Awards,
* Festival Award for Best International Narrative Feature at Dubai International Cine Film Festival,
* Best Narrative Feature at Singapore Independent Film Fair,
* Jury Award for Best Women's Film at Dhaka International Cultural Film Festival,
* Critic's Choice for Best Narrative Feature at Toronto International Filmmakers' Festival,
* Best Director at The Grand Film Festival of Maldives,
* Outstanding Achievement for Best Director at Berlin Motion Picture Awards,
* Outstanding Achievement for Best Narrative Feature at Berlin Morion Picture Awards,
* Best Actress at Berlin Motion Picture Awards,
* Best Director at Swedish Academy of Motion Picture Awards,
* Jury Prize for Best Director at Sydney Global Cinema Festival,
* Outstanding Achievement for Best International Narrative Feature at Paris Cine Festival,
* Kurrak Special Jury Award at Valle de Guadalupe Film Festival,
* Kurrak Special Jury Award for Best Resilient Spirit at Valle de Guadalupe Film Festival,
* Jury Prize for Best Documentary at Milano Indie Movie Awards,
* Genre Award Best Documentary at Absurd Film Festival,
* Honorable Mention for Best Documentary at Monza Film Fest,
* Honorable Mention for Best Documentary Short Film at APEX Film Awards,
* Kurrak Grand Jury Prize for Best Music Video at Valle de Guadalupe Film Festival,
* Golden Dhow for Best Short Film at Zanzibar International Film Festival,
* Jury Winner for Best Narrative at BlackStar Film Festival,
* Honorable Mention for Best Feature Film at International Cycling Film Festival,
* Black Lives Matter Award at Diversity in Cannes Film Showcase,
* Epoch Award at Beloit International Film Festival,
* Chicago Award for Best Feature Film at Chicago International Film Festival,
* Best Cinematography at St Tropez International Film Festival,
* Jury Award for Best Feature Film at Reeling: The Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Festival,
* Artivist Film Festival & Awards for Best Feature Children's Advocacy,
* Diversity Award for Best Feature Film at Barcelona International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival,
* Outstanding Achievement in Foreign Feature Award at Williamsburg International Film Festival,
* Best International Feature at Out in the Desert Tucson's LGBT International Film Festival,
* Cinesul Award for Best Feature Film at Cinesul Ibero-Americano Film Festival,
* Golden Palm at Mexico International Film Festival,
* Honorary Mention Prize at New Jersey Film Festival,
* Excellence in Filmmaking at Honolulu International Film Festival,
* Silver Lei for Best Feature Film at Honolulu International Film Festival,
* Directing and Writing Insight Awards of Recognition at the National Association of Film and Digital Media Artists,
* Audience Winner for Best Documentary at Milan International Film Festival,
* Audience Winner for Best Documentary at Brooklyn Film Festival,
* Indie Max fo Best Feature Film at San Antonio Film Festival,
* Gold Remi Prize at WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival,
* Filmmaking Award of Recognition at IMCED,
* World Tour Award for Best Director at International Festival of Cinema and Technology,
* World Tour Award for Best Actor at International Festival of Cinema and Technology,
* World Tour Award for Best Cinematography at International Festival of Cinema and Technology.