Lesley Ann Patten facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Lesley Ann Patten
Occupation	Film director, Screenwriter and Film producer
Years active	1988 – Present

Lesley Ann Patten is a talented film director, screenwriter, and film producer. She is known for making documentaries. Her first big documentary, Loyalties, won a special award called the Canada Award in 1999.

Early Life and Beginnings

Lesley Ann Patten grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, in the United States. Her grandfather, Stanley F. Patten, was an important Navy officer during World War II. He commanded a ship called the USS Rocky Mount.

Lesley went to Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts. Before becoming a filmmaker, she worked as a radio announcer. She was on the radio from 1978 to 1984 in cities like Philadelphia, Boston, and New York City.

In 1991, she moved to Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. There, she started her own company in 1999 called ZIJI Film & Television Limited. This company helps her make the films she writes and directs.

Exploring Her Film Career

Lesley Ann Patten directed her first documentary in 1988. It was called Dancemaker: Judith Jamison. This film was shown on PBS, a national TV network in the U.S. Later, in 1990-1991, she wrote and directed short investigative stories for a TV show called The Real Story on CNBC.

Her first full-length documentary, Loyalties, became very famous. It won the Canada Award in 1999. She is also well-known for her documentary Words Of My Perfect Teacher. This film features a respected Buddhist teacher and filmmaker named Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche.

Amazing Films and Projects

Lesley Ann Patten has written and directed several films. These include Dancemaker (1988), Loyalties (1999), The Voice Set Free (2000), Word Of My Perfect Teacher (2005), and Regarding: Cohen (2006). She has also written screenplays for three films that are still being developed: The Book of Secrets, Tales From The Kingdom, and Te Juro. She also worked as a producer on Warrior Songs (1997) and Generation XXL (2008).

Dancemaker: Judith Jamison (1989)

This documentary was made for PBS. It follows the famous dancer and choreographer Judith Jamison. The film shows her working with young dancers. They prepare for a performance of her own dance routines. It's the only film that truly captures her work in this way.

Warrior Songs, King Gesar (1997)

This film brings to life the ancient story of Gesar, a legendary Tibetan warrior-king. It's like an opera with music and storytelling. Famous musicians like Yo-Yo Ma and Peter Serkin are featured. The film shows how Gesar fights against evil forces. Warrior Songs was nominated for an award at the Banff Mountain Film Festival.

Loyalties (1999)

This powerful film tells the story of two women. They live in a time when slavery was common. The film explores how they deal with the harsh realities of that period. It was filmed in South Carolina and Nova Scotia. This documentary won the Canada Award.

The Voice Set Free (2000)

This film tells the story of a woman named Mayhew. She became an activist for the rights of prisoners. She finished her sentence at a special place called the Okimaw Ohci Healing Lodge. This lodge is run by tribal elders in Saskatchewan. The film was shown on CTV Network and Vision TV in Canada.

Words Of My Perfect Teacher (2003)

This documentary takes viewers from the World Cup to the beautiful country of Bhutan. It explores the special connection between a student and a teacher in Vajrayana Buddhism. The film's "perfect teacher" is Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche. He is a respected Buddhist leader and also a film director. Famous people like Steven Seagal and Bernardo Bertolucci appear in the film.

Regarding Cohen (2006)

This is a full-length documentary about M. Lee Cohen. He is a Canadian lawyer who helps refugees. The film shows his work with people seeking safety. One case follows a young woman from Kosovo who finds shelter in a church. Another case is about a Russian sailor who escapes from a ship in Halifax Harbour. The film shows how Mr. Cohen helps these people.

Awards and Special Recognitions

Lesley Ann Patten has received many awards and honors for her work:

• 1997: Nominated for a Banff Rockie Award for "Warrior Songs".
• 1999: Won the Canada Award for Loyalties.
• 1999: Won Best Social Issue Film at Hot Docs for Loyalties.
• 2000: Won a Golden Sheaf Award at the Yorkton Film Festival for Loyalties.
• 2000: Named one of the Best 10 Documentaries of 2000 by the American Film Festival for Loyalties.
• 2000: Won a Gemini Award for Best Direction of a Documentary for "The Voice Set Free".
• 2008: Won a CFTPA Indie Award.
• 2008: Was a semi-finalist in the Francis Ford Coppola Screenplay Contest.
• 2008: Won Best Documentary Short at the International Family Film Festival in Hollywood.
• 2008: Nominated for a Gemini Award.
• 2008: Won the Students Choice Award at the Sprockets Toronto International Film Festival for Children.
• 2008: Won Best Documentary Award from ViewFinders: International Film Festival for Youth.