Ry Russo-Young is a bold and innovative writer/director who has made a significant impact in the film industry with her unique visual style and emotionally potent storytelling. Born and raised in New York City, Ry majored in film at Oberlin College, setting the stage for a successful career in the industry.
Ry's early independent films were associated with the mumblecore genre, a style characterized by naturalistic dialogue and nuanced character studies. Her 2007 film Hannah Takes the Stairs, in which she starred alongside Greta Gerwig, is a classic example of this genre. Ry's performance in the film earned her recognition as a talented young actress and writer.
As a writer/director, Ry has demonstrated her versatility by working across a range of genres, from drama to comedy to science fiction. Her 2012 film Nobody Walks, co-written with Lena Dunham and starring Olivia Thirlby, Rosemary DeWitt, and John Krasinski, won a special Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival and received a theatrical release from Magnolia Pictures.
Ry's subsequent films have also received critical acclaim, including the wide-release features Before I Fall (2017) and The Sun Is Also a Star (2019). She has also directed television and commercial projects, including Apple's Shrinking (2023),HBO's And Just Like That (2023),Amazon's Panic (2021),and Marvel's Cloak & Dagger (2018).
In addition to her work in film and television, Ry has also made a name for herself in the documentary world. Her HBO documentary series Nuclear Family (2021) is based on the true story of her sperm donor suing her lesbian mothers for visitation and paternity rights when Ry was just nine years old. The series received widespread critical acclaim and earned nominations for a Peabody Award, an Independent Spirit Award, and a GLAAD Award.
Ry's work has premiered and won awards at numerous international film festivals, including Telluride, Sundance, SXSW, Stockholm, Torino, Thessaloniki, and TriBeCa. She has received accolades from the New York State Council on the Arts, the TriBeCa Film Institute, the LEF Foundation, the Sundance Institute, and Creative Capital.
Throughout her career, Ry has been praised by top critics and publications, including The New Yorker, The Wall Street Journal, Variety, Vanity Fair, and The New York Times. Her unique voice and perspective have made her a standout in the industry, and her films continue to captivate audiences around the world.
