Biography
Carlos López Estrada is an Academy Award nominated filmmaker from Mexico City.
Carlos’s debut film, BLINDSPOTTING, premiered opening night at Sundance 2018 and was subsequently released by Lionsgate Entertainment. Carlos was nominated by the DGA for Outstanding Directorial Achievement of a First-Time Feature Film. His second film, SUMMERTIME, premiered opening night of Sundance 2020 and was released theatrically the following year. Peter Debruge from Variety called it “The most inspirational movie of the year.”
Carlos’s third film, RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON was released by Disney in 2021 and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. During his time at Disney, Carlos was in the Story Trust for the films FROZEN 2, ENCANTO, STRANGE WORLD and WISH – which he also originated the story for. His documentary film LIL NAS X: LONG LIVE MONTERO premiered at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival and was later released by HBO.
On the TV side, Carlos directed an episode of FX and Marvel’s LEGION and is currently developing an original comedy show titled SMUGGLERS at FX in association with This American Life. He began his career directing music videos and has worked with musicians such as Billie Eilish, Blink 182, Thundercat and Flying Lotus, Katy Perry, Father John Misty, Carly Rae Jepsen, and Clipping. In 2012, he won a Latin Grammy for an animated music video he directed for Mexican artists Jesse & Joy.
Carlos’s third film, RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON was released by Disney in 2021 and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. During his time at Disney, Carlos was in the Story Trust for the films FROZEN 2, ENCANTO, STRANGE WORLD and WISH – which he also originated the story for. His documentary film LIL NAS X: LONG LIVE MONTERO premiered at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival and was later released by HBO.
On the TV side, Carlos directed an episode of FX and Marvel’s LEGION and is currently developing an original comedy show titled SMUGGLERS at FX in association with This American Life. He began his career directing music videos and has worked with musicians such as Billie Eilish, Blink 182, Thundercat and Flying Lotus, Katy Perry, Father John Misty, Carly Rae Jepsen, and Clipping. In 2012, he won a Latin Grammy for an animated music video he directed for Mexican artists Jesse & Joy.
