Ryan Coogler
Film Director, Producer, and Screenwriter; Known for "Fruitvale Station," "Creed" & "Black Panther"
Ryan Coogler is a film director known for Black Panther and Fruitvale Station. He was born in Oakland, California.
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Full Bio
Ryan Coogler is a film director known for Black Panther and Fruitvale Station. He was born in Oakland, California. He was an avid student-athlete and earned a football scholarship to St. Mary’s College and later transferred to California State University, Sacramento, where he graduated with a degree in finance.
Having always harbored a talent for storytelling, Coogler discovered his own passion for filmmaking as a college freshman, and began shooting shorts with his teammates and friends. After being admitted into the USC School of Cinematic Arts, he went on to create his award-winning shorts Locks, Fig and Gap. Locks was shown at Tribeca Film Festival and was the winner of Dana and Albert Broccoli Award for Filmmaking Excellence. Gap received the Jack Nicholson Award for Achievement in Directing, and Fig won the HBO Short Filmmaking Award, DGA Student Filmmaker Award, and it was nominated for the Black Reel Award for Outstanding Independent Short Film.
After receiving his M.F.A., he began to work as a juvenile hall counselor before creating his first feature film Fruitvale Station, which debuted at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival. The film went on to win both the U.S. Grand Jury Prize for dramatic film and the Audience Award for U.S. dramatic film, two of the festival’s top honors. Following its success at Sundance, Fruitvale Station competed at the 2013 Cannes International Film Festival and won the Cannes Prix L’avenir Award in Un Certain Regard. The film was produced by actor Forest Whitaker and starred Michael B. Jordan and Octavia Spencer.
Later, Coogler went on to write and direct Creed, the seventh Rocky film, which starred Michael B. Jordan and Sylvester Stallone. His 2018 film Black Panther won three Oscar Awards and became the highest grossing film of all time to be made by a black director.
Coogler’s films have received significant critical acclaim and commercial success. In 2013, he was included on Time’s list of the 30 people under 30 who are changing the world. His work has been hailed by critics for centering on often overlooked cultures and characters—most notably black people.
Coogler resides in the Bay Area with his wife, Zinzi Evans.
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MEDTRONIC
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BAYLOR UNIVERSITY CAMPUS
We had a fantastic day with Inge! She was very engaging with all those that attended. Her personal stories about the holocaust were very special and we were moved that she was willing to share them with everyone. Thank you again, PDA for all your hard work and dedication to make this program such a success!
SALT LAKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
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SAP COMPANY
Thank you again, Dr. Kimbrough, for a great presentation, our attendees are still talking about it!
CAMPUS LABS
Dr. Henry Lee's presentation was entertaining, insightful and wise. I, and everyone at Pfizer, especially appreciate the remarks you directed about following your passion and preparing yourself to excel. Thank you, everyone, at PDA for helping to make this happen!
PFIZER
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DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL BREAKFAST, BOSTON, MLK SPEAKER
Everything went well. Atsuko was very easy to work with and the students enjoyed her performance! Thank you again for your recommendation and I hope to work with you again in the future!
CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
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GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
Jordan Carlos was very very entertaining! A majority of students who answered the event survey indicated they really enjoyed Jordan and definitely will bring him back!
WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
On behalf of myself and my organization Entertainment Unlimited the Campus Programming Board of Ferris State University, we thank you PDA and Dan for a successful event!! Dan was magnificent! Students really enjoyed the presentation. I know I did. Can't wait to bring in more programs with PDA Group.
FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY
It was a great pleasure to work with PDA Group! The communication was always prompt, friendly and helpful. We loved the speakers and events we booked through Mr. Peter Walker (PDA Group).
WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Thank you, Peter, for all your help, you'll be happy to know that the event went incredibly well! Aneesa Ferreira was by far one of the best speakers we've ever had!
FURMAN UNIVERSITY
Topics
An Evening with Ryan Coogler
Videos
Ryan Coogler on Black Identity: Black Panther at BAM
Ryan Coogler Breaks Down The Making Of 'Black Panther', Black Girl Power, & Building Wakanda
In conversation with... Black Panther director Ryan Coogler
Summer Talks | Ryan Coogler, "Fruitvale Station"
Books
News
Testimonials
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