"This is one of the few festivals that actually like filmmakers, unlike most that just screen your film and kick you out right after. I highly recommend this festival...had a lot of fun last year, great venue and organizers with a great host."
- Vlad Nikitin, Director, 'Grand Chinatown Robbery'
Donald E. Lacy, Jr. Social Justice Award
BIO OF DONALD E. LACY, JR.
Donald E. Lacy, Jr. is a writer, director, actor, comedian, radio talk show host, and activist. In 2018, Steve Sturla and The Studio City Film Festival created the Donald E. Lacy, Jr. Social Justice Award, to be awarded to filmmakers whose films address social issues. On May 19th, 2019, CNN aired “The Redemption Project” with Van Jones, documenting Donald’s anti-violence activism in Oakland, California, and his journey to forgive the man convicted of his daughter’s murder.
In 2017, Donald was awarded the Legacy award from Theater Bay Area for his artistic and activist achievements. As a comedian, he was inducted into the Bay Area Blues Society Hall of Fame in 2013. He has also appeared on BET’S Comic View and HBO’S Def Jam. A San Francisco State alumnus, Donald holds B. A. Degrees in Theater Arts, (with a film minor), and Black Studies. His T.V./Film acting credits include: “About Cherry” with James Franco, “The Other Barrio,” NBC show “Trauma,” "Jack," "Blood In, Blood Out," "L.A. Heat," "Hangin' with Mr. Cooper" on ABC, and "Wolf" on CBS.
Stage Credits include “ColorStruck” at Theater for the New City in New York that premiered in 2019 and returned by popular demand in 2020. ColorStruck was one of the last live theater shows during the pandemic on March 15, 2020. In 2019, Don appeared in the world premiere of “Candlestick” at ACT’s Costume Shop. He also appeared in “Casa De Spirits” written and directed by Roger Guenveur Smith in 2018. Donald portrayed Wynton in “The Royale” at the Aurora Theater in 2017. In 2016 he appeared as Gabriel in August Wilson’s “Fences” at California Shakespeare Theater.
Don hosted a 25 city tour with The Miles Davis Experience for Columbia Records which he wrote. He also appeared in “Gem of the Ocean” as Solly 2 Kings, “Whining Boy; Piano Lesson,” Multiple characters in “Peoples Temple” about Jonestown, “Nobody Move” “Alleluia The Road at Intersection,” “Hairy Ape," "Good Person of Szechwan" at Berkeley Repertory Theater, and as Carlyle in "Streamers."
Other credits include “The Shelter” at the Odyssey Theater in Los Angeles, under the direction of Valery Belyakovich of the Moscow Art Theater. Don also appeared in Naomi Iizuka's adaptation of “Hamlet” as “C,” directed by Jonathan Moscone at California Shakespeare. As a playwright, Mr. Lacy’s produced plays include: "The Loudest Scream You'll Never Hear," based on the Atlanta child murders, "Homebase," a tragic comedy about crack-cocaine addiction, and his National touring One Man Show “Color Struck,” now in its 15th year. In 2011, Donald presented his second solo Show “Sexphobias” at the National Black Theater.
In 2013, as a response to the TrayVon Martin murder, he presented another solo show at NBTF: “How Did The World Get Here?” Donald’s short film, “Hidden Treasure” was shown at the 2017 Hollywood Weekly Film Festival, the 16th annual Oakland International Film Festival, the 2018 Studio City International Film Festival, and the 20th annual San Francisco Black Film Festival. Mr. Lacy traveled on a 75-city tour with the Harlem Globetrotters as "The Voice.” In 2007, the original version of his one-man show, “ColorStruck,” by invitation from Congresswoman Barbara Lee, was performed at the 2007 Congressional Black Caucus. In 2008 “ColorStruck” returned to the Congressional Black Caucus for an encore performance.
