Lisa Nishimura, the departing Vice President of independent film and documentary features at Netflix, has been praised by many for her impact on the world of non-fiction film. During her 16-year tenure at the streaming giant, Nishimura worked to establish documentaries as a formidable and important genre on par with scripted narratives.
Filmmakers like Jeff Orlowski-Yang and Alex Gibney have lauded her as one of the smartest and most influential executives in the film industry. Nishimura led Netflix to score its first Oscar nominations and win in the documentary category, solidifying the platform as a powerhouse in the field. Her collaboration with the Obamas' production company Higher Ground also led to an Oscar win and a nomination for American Factory and Crip Camp, respectively.
Nishimura leaves behind a strong legacy in the industry as a champion for social justice and progressive politics. Her departure has come as a shock to many in the non-fiction film community, who saw her as one of the most visible and influential executives at Netflix.