Walter Thompson-Hernández
Walter Thompson-Hernández | |
|---|---|
Thompson-Hernández in 2026 | |
| Born | 1985[1] |
| Occupations | Director, screenwriter, journalist, author |
Walter Thompson-Hernández (born 1985) is an American director, screenwriter, journalist and author. Thompson-Hernández has written for The New York Times, NPR, The Guardian, Remezcla among others. In 2020, he wrote the book The Compton Cowboys: The New Generation of Cowboys in America's Urban Heartland. He has directed the feature-length films Kites (2025) and If I Go Will They Miss Me (2026).
Early life and education
Thompson-Hernández was born in Huntington Park, California where he was raised.[2] He attended the University of Portland, where he played basketball, eventually playing it in Latin America with Caballeros de Culiacan.[3][4][5] However, he suffered an injury, and began pursuing storytelling.[6] Thompson-Hernández graduated with a degree in political science.[7] He also attended Stanford University where he received a master's degree in Latin American Studies.[8]
Career
Journalism
Thompson-Hernández has written for The New York Times, where he was a multimedia subculture reporter.[9] At The Times, Thompson-Hernández wrote about Compton Cowboys, whe eventually writing a book revolving around them, The Compton Cowboys: The New Generation of Cowboys in America's Urban Heartland published in 2020, by HarperCollins.[10] His work has additionally been featured in NPR, BuzzFeed, The Guardian and Remezcla.[11][12]
Filmmaking
In 2022, Thompson-Hernández directed the short film If I Go Will They Miss Me which had its world premiere at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival where it won the Sundance Film Festival Short Film Jury Award.[13] It was then expanded into a feature length film of the same name starring J. Alphonse Nicholson and Danielle Brooks, and premiered at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival.[14][15]
In 2025, Thompson-Hernández directed the documentary Untold: Shooting Guards for Netflix, revolving around an incident by Washington Wizards teammates Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton.[16] That same year, he made his narrative directorial debut with Kites which premiered at the 2025 Tribeca Festival, where it received a Special Jury Mention for Viewpoints.[17][18]
Filmography
Feature film
| Year | Title | Director | Producer | Writer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Kites | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 2026 | If I Go Will They Miss Me | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Documentary film
| Year | Title | Director | Writer | Producer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Untold: Shooting Guards | Yes | No | No |
References
- ^ Wolk, Martin (June 11, 2020). "'Streets raised us. Horses saved us.' Why the Compton Cowboys ride". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
- ^ "Walter Thompson-Hernández". Filmmaker. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
- ^ Castrejon, Aaron (April 21, 2011). "Thompson Talks of Passion for Basketball, Service". Bronco Althetics. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
- ^ "Walter Thompson-Hernández". University of Portland. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
- ^ "10 Directors to Watch 2026". Variety. January 2, 2026. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
- ^ Speer Lejeune, Christine (January 5, 2023). "The Storyteller". UCLA. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
- ^ Haro, Brie (October 6, 2020). "UP alum Walter Thompson-Hernandez to speak at Latinx heritage month event Oct. 8". The Beacon. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
- ^ "Walter Thompson-Hernández". Whiting Awards. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
- ^ "Walter Thompson-Hernández". Shoot Online. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
- ^ "The Compton Cowboys". HarperCollins. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
- ^ Francio, Mike (August 16, 2018). "With UCLA in his blood, New York Times reporter shares stories of the underrepresented". UCLA. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
- ^ Thompson-Hernandez, Walter (October 29, 2015). "Meet The Blaxicans Of Los Angeles". BuzzFeed News. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
- ^ "2022 Sundance Film Festival Awards Announced". Sundance Institute. January 28, 2022. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
- ^ Loving, Casey (February 2, 2026). "How Walter Thompson-Hernández Turned His Short Film Into a Sundance Hit: 'The Story Needed a Bigger Home'". TheWrap. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (December 10, 2025). "Sundance 2026 Lineup Includes Films With Jenna Ortega, Charli XCX, Seth Rogen, Russell Crowe, Ethan Hawke & More In Park City Finale". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
- ^ Maglio, Tony (April 15, 2025). "'Untold' Trailer Brings Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton NBA Beef to Netflix". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
- ^ Molloy, Tim (June 15, 2025). "Kites Director Walter Thompson-Hernandez on Violence the Poetry in the Favelas of Rio de Janeiro". MovieMaker. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
- ^ "2025 Tribeca Festival Announces Winners Charliebird, Happy Birthday, and Natchez in U.S. Narrative, International, Narrative and Documentary Competitions". Tribeca Festival. June 12, 2025. Retrieved February 8, 2026.