Eli Despres, ACE, is a talented and accomplished filmmaker who has made a significant impact in the industry with his creative and thought-provoking work.
As the creator and Executive Producer of the acclaimed HBO series 'Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show', alongside star Jerrod Carmichael and director Ari Katcher, Eli demonstrated his ability to bring unique and compelling stories to life.
He also created and directed the hit Showtime series 'Couples Therapy' with Josh Kriegman & Elyse Steinberg, showcasing his versatility and talent for working in different genres and formats.
As a partner and co-founder of Edgeline Films, a boutique film and TV production company, Eli has collaborated with Steinberg and Kriegman on numerous projects, including the critically acclaimed documentary 'Weiner', which he co-wrote and edited.
'Wiener' was a huge success, winning the 2016 Sundance Grand Jury Prize, being nominated for the BAFTA Awards, and shortlisted for the Academy Awards. The film received a 97% 'Fresh' rating on Rotten Tomatoes, further cementing its reputation as a groundbreaking and influential work.
Eli's other notable projects include the documentary 'Blackfish', which he co-wrote and edited, and which was also nominated for the BAFTA Awards and shortlisted for the Academy Awards. The film was viewed by over 21 million people in the US alone and has had a significant impact on state and federal legislation.
In addition to his work in documentary filmmaking, Eli has also made a name for himself in the world of fiction films. He co-wrote and edited the feature documentary 'Red Army', which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2014 and received a 97% 'Fresh' rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Eli's other credits include the short documentary 'At Risk', the Emmy-winning investigative journalism series 'Exposé', the feature documentary 'City Lax', and the fiction feature 'Wilderness Survival for Girls', which he also directed.
The Hollywood Reporter has praised Eli's work, describing his editing as "Shattering... Eli Despres edits with propulsive narrative drive." He has been nominated for the American Cinema Editors' Documentary award in 2014 and 2017, and is an active member of the American Cinema Editors (ACE) and the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
