Rudy Valdez signs with Inspire Entertainment for direction

EXCLUSIVE: Emmy-winning documentarian Rudy Valdez (The phrase) signed with Inspire Entertainment for management.

Most recently, Valdez served as director, EP and cinematographer of the six-part docuseries. Choral for Disney+, as well as Carlos, the Carlos Santana documentary from Sony Pictures Classics and Imagine Documentaries. Both films were official selections of the 2023 Tribeca Festival, with Carlos earning a 2023 Critics’ Choice Documentary Award nomination for Best Music Documentary.

Valdez’s short documentary Translatorsproduced in partnership with US Bank, also recently debuted as an official selection of LALIFF and the Tribeca Festival, winning the Tribeca X Award for Best Documentary Short.

The filmmaker’s revolutionary project was The phrase, the HBO documentary marking his directorial debut. Filmed over a decade, the film shows Valdez unfolding the aftermath of her sister Cindy’s 15-year prison sentence on conspiracy charges related to crimes committed by her deceased ex-boyfriend. Following its world premiere at Sundance 2018, where it won the US Documentary Audience Award, the documentary won an Emmy for Outstanding Merit in Documentary Filmmaking, also securing Valdez a nomination for Best New Director at the Critics’ Choice Documentary Awards.

Valdez is the head of Bluff Road Films, an independent production company focused on creating meaningful social, cultural and political stories while championing equity both on screen and behind the camera. Currently, the company is teaming up with Inspire to produce the feature film Places, centering on Pacific Northwest artist Ben Joyce and his personal journey to expand his horizons in art, people, and family. In addition to directing, Valdez is producing the pic alongside Jason Spire and Meghan Schale.

Founded in 2002, Inspire Entertainment is also known for its work on the hit Netflix series. Outside the wire and the adaptation of the Peacock/Sony video game Twisted metalwhich is currently preparing the filming of its second season, among other projects.

Valdez continues to be represented by CAA.