Vanessa Lerma

Media Arts : Filmmaker , Producer ; Performing Arts : Director

Vanessa Rae Lerma is a Director/Producer from San Antonio, Texas. She is the Co-Owner of Screenville Films, established in 2015, where she works alongside her husband. Her artistic journey began in the theater, where she dedicated over 13 years as an educator and director, and gradually transitioned into the vibrant hustle and bustle of the film industry during that time. With a strong foundation in producing and directing plays and musicals, she brought her expertise to the world of cinema through Screenville Films, which she co-founded in 2015. Her extensive experience in theater, spanning from San Antonio to New York City, provides her with a unique perspective and skill set in storytelling and production.

Her work with Screenville encompasses a diverse range of projects, spanning from producing commercials , documentaries, corporate videos, engaging branded content, and has worked on various television shows and a feature film.

Some of her most recent and notable recognition includes a Silver Telly Award for her outstanding work as Co-Creator and Director of the web series “Most Likely To” in 2023. She also earned the title of Best Series Director at the 2023 Austin Revolution Film Festival for the same project. She was honored to be a recipient for Excellence in Directing a Drama at the 2022 Alamo Theatre Arts Council Awards for The Mesquite Tree by David Davila, produced by Theatro Audaz.

As a proud Latina, Vanessa remains dedicated to amplifying local talent and ... view more »

Artist Statement of Work

Tell us about your work (style, approach, philosophy, subject and/or theme):

I am a contemporary Director that likes to focus on building strong character relationships on camera or on the stage. I work closely with my cast to ensure that they in a safe space and are able to bring ideas to the table. We engage in lengthy conversations about the character's life before the first line of dialogue is even written on the page, current circumstances, and their future once the script has come to a close. Aside from working with actors, I love to visually tell the story through colors, meaningful, motivated blocking, and production design. I have directed a variety of styles of work, but my favorite would be dramatic comedies. My goal is to highlight Latino/a culture and artists to showcase the talent that we have born and bred in our city. I never properly see Mexican-American stories from South Texas/SA depicted quite right on tv or in the movies- if Hollywood continues to get it wrong, then I am going to create content that gets it right.