Paola Mendoza

Paola Mendoza is a multifaceted artist known for her work as an actress, director, screenwriter, and author. She co-founded the Women's March, where she also served as the Artistic Director, and her contributions to the entertainment and advocacy sectors have established her as a leading voice in both arenas.

As a director, Mendoza was named one of Filmmaker Magazine's 25 New Faces of Independent Film. Her films, including "Entre Nos," "Free Like the Birds," and "Autumn's Eyes," have garnered acclaim and multiple awards at prestigious festivals such as the Sundance Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival, Berlinale, Tribeca Film Festival, and South By Southwest. Currently, she is directing a feature-length documentary focusing on domestic workers, highlighting her continued commitment to telling impactful, socially relevant stories. Mendoza's directorial prowess was recognized early in her career when she was a nominee for the 2008 & 2010 NALIP Estel Awards, which celebrate promising Latino filmmakers.

As an accomplished author, Mendoza has penned the bestselling "Sanctuary" and co-authored "Together We Rise: Behind the Scenes at the Protest Heard Around the World." Her literary work extends to her upcoming book, "Solis," scheduled for publication in the fall of 2024. Her initial foray into writing produced "The Ones Who Don't Stay," published in Spanish by Penguin Books in the summer of 2013, with an English version released later that year by Rola Press.

Beyond film and literature, Mendoza has made significant strides in media and activism. She co-founded The Soze Agency, a creative social impact company, The Meteor, a new home for feminist work, and The Resistance Revival Chorus, a critically acclaimed women's chorus. Her influential work has been recognized with several fellowships including the Pop Culture Collaborative Gender Justice Fellow, Race Forward Fellow, Opportunity Agenda Fellow, and Becoming America Fellow. Furthermore, her writing has appeared in top-tier publications such as The New York Times, Huffington Post, Glamour, InStyle, Elle, and Teen Vogue.

Mendoza holds an undergraduate degree from UCLA's School of Theater, Film and Television and an MFA from Sarah Lawrence College. She is also the proud mother of Mateo Ali and was named Glamour's Woman of the Year in 2017, underscoring her significant impact both within and beyond the entertainment industry.