Next person biography:
Bobby Houston is a renowned California-based filmmaker who has made a significant impact in the industry with his thought-provoking documentaries. Born and raised in California, Houston's passion for filmmaking began after graduating from Harvard University.
Houston's early career in the film industry started with a stint as an actor, starring in Wes Craven's cult classic "The Hills Have Eyes" (1977). He then made his directorial debut with the samurai epic "Shogun Assassin" (1980),a reworking of a Japanese film that was initially banned but later gained a cult following.
In the 1980s, Houston wrote and directed two independent features, the raucous teen comedy "Growing Pains" (1984) and the black comedy "Trust Me" (1989),which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.
Tragedy struck in 1995 when Houston's partner died of AIDS, leading him to shift his focus towards documentary filmmaking. His debut documentary, "Rock the Boat" (1998),is a stirring verite adventure that chronicles the efforts of an HIV-positive crew as they participate in an extreme sailing race across the Pacific Ocean.
"Rock the Boat" received widespread critical acclaim, being short-listed for an Academy Award and still being broadcast today. Houston's subsequent documentaries, including the "Mighty Times" series, have won numerous awards, including an Oscar, an Emmy, and the IDA Award.
Currently, Houston is working on a new feature film, "Be A Man," which serves as a response to the 2004 election and a means of speaking truth to power. Throughout his career, Houston has remained committed to his motto: "Debunk, and inspire."
